KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants huffaz (Quran memoriser) students to be equipped with true Islamic teachings so they are prepared to face Islamophobia and those who sow hatred using Islam in the country.
He said these groups have tarnished the sanctity of Islam.
“That is why these children (huffaz) continue to be the focus of our practice. (I am) confident our future is bright. Hold firm to the belief that the message of Islam is the truth, the message of Islam is the message of justice, one that unifies with compassion and love… this is what we must stand for.
“We understand the rights of non-Muslims, but they should not bring in Western Islamophobic views… We must oppose these parties,” he said.
The prime minister said this when speaking at the 24K Huffaz Gathering at Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan here today.
The Prime Minister said Malaysia faces the threat of groups that promote Islam with hatred and only consider those aligned with them as good.
“Everyone else is not good. If the government is evil, then only their own tribe and group are good. This kind of tribalism will destroy the society’s pillar of strength.
“We must face these two issues. On one hand, Islamophobia, and on the other hand, those who consider themselves the only Islamic group,” he said.
Meanwhile, he called the 24K Huffaz Gathering a meaningful platform to unite huffaz and instil a love for the Quran.
Anwar said the gathering proves the Madani Government has clear principles towards Islamic development.
He said the Madani Government prioritises the future of tahfiz students by providing them with more opportunities to venture into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), with the collaboration of ministries.
“Why do we need TVET? Because investors are coming. Because Malaysia is the most important platform in Southeast Asia for semiconductors. Then, there is artificial intelligence. We are providing opportunities because we do not want our huffaz to be left behind,” he said.
Also present at the gathering was Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The event gathered over 24,000 huffaz nationwide, including students, teachers and scholars from 1,500 tahfiz madrasah under National Coalition of Tahfiz Al-Quran Institutions.
The gathering was reignited by Zahid, who wanted to centre the agenda of reforming future generations based on Quran learning.
Among the other objectives of the 24K Huffaz Gathering, themed ‘“Huffaz: Pillars of Human Capital for the Country”, was to uplift the Quran, strengthen bonds of brotherhood, and educate, inspire and empower generations based on Quranic values for the benefit of society and country.
Meanwhile, Anwar posted on Facebook that at the gathering, he also launched the Malaysia Tahfiz Certificate (STM) 2.0, an improvement to the integrated assessment system for recognising those who have memorised 30 chapters of the Quran.
“Hopefully, STM 2.0 will provide better opportunities for huffaz students to pursue education in line with the demands of the changing times,” he said.
“Huffaz students must use their knowledge and memorisation skills to convey the message of Islam as a religion of mercy, calling for truth and justice and fostering unity,” he added.
— Bernama
