PENANG, 11 September 2016 - The campus and surrounding community of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) participated in the simultaneous reading of the Quran in the World Quran Hour event here this morning.

According to the Director of USM Islamic Centre, Professor Dato' Dr. Muhammad Idiris Saleh, more than 350 people were present at the USM Masjid Al-Malik Khalid, including the USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman since 8.30 am.

"The event was filled with the reading of the Quran, from the verses of Al-Hajj led by Ustaz Zamrus Mohd Ali and Ustaz Zayd Zhari, and followed by those present, which was then succeeded by the reading of the translation of the verses," he said.

Meanwhile, the USM Health Campus in Kelantan also organised a similar event, which saw the attendance of some 100 participants, among them the Assistant Vice-Chancellor/Director of USM Health Campus, Professor Dato' Dr. Mafauzy Mohamed. It began at 8.30 am at the Health Campus Masjid with the reading of the Quran verses and the translations.

The Deputy Director of the Islamic Centre, Associate Professor Dr. Wan Nudri Wan Daud said that, this programme hoped to gain the support of the world Muslim community as how Earth Hour had been supported, and which symbolically would be a good start to the day of Arafah as how it is endured by the pilgrims in Mecca, where we have also assembled here to read the Quran together.

The reading of the Quran was not only held at the masjid, but also in the wards of USM Hospital where it was read together by the staff and the patients within the hour.

Apart from that, the Health Campus Islamic Centre also held a campaign to Fast on Arafah Day and breaking of fast at the Masjid.

The year’s World Quran Hour, observed simultaneously at 117 major cities worldwide, saw Muslims around the world came as one in reciting, reflecting on and understanding the beautiful message of peace in the Holy Quran for one hour on 9 Zulhijjah (Sept 11) – the eve of Hari Raya Aidiladha which is the most blissful time, when haj pilgrim in Mecca are undergoing the ‘wukuf’ (convergence on Arafah).

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text: Mohamad Abdullah & Lailatul Hafiza Abdul Rashid / Photo: Mohd Ridzuwan Ramly