JOHOR BAHRU, March 23 – The Ramadan Quran Competition, organized by the International Student Society (ISS) in Yemen, ISS in Egypt, and Pusat Islam UTM, brought together students, faculty, staff, and members of the wider community to showcase Quranic recitation, memorization, and hadith narration. Held in the spirit of Ramadan, the event aimed to deepen the connection with the Quran while fostering unity among participants.
The competition featured nine tracks that included various levels of Quran memorization and recitation and a category for hadith narration. It began with the 30 Juz’ category on March 15 and 16, followed by the remaining tracks on March 23. The event culminated in a grand closing ceremony attended by distinguished guests, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmad Che Yaacob, Director of Pusat Islam UTM, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norahim Ibrahim, Associate Director of Global Education & Experience (GEE).
A total of 27 winners were recognized across various categories. Mohamad Danial Haziq Haswadi secured first place in the 30 Juz’ category and won a fully sponsored Umrah trip. Nabil Al-Sayyad claimed first place in the Full Quran memorization track, while Arwa Samir won the women’s recitation track. Yahya Mohammed Darwish took first place in the 10 Juz’ memorization track.
The competition attracted a diverse audience, including faculty members from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), students from various backgrounds, and local community members. They all came together in an atmosphere of spiritual devotion and learning. Judges carefully assessed the contestants, evaluating their pronunciation (Tajweed), accuracy in memorization, and fluency in recitation. Spectators were deeply moved by the powerful recitations, as participants demonstrated their dedication and love for the Quran.
With total prizes exceeding RM 9,000, the competition served as a significant source of encouragement for participants to continue their journey with the Quran. Many attendees expressed their gratitude for the event, highlighting how it strengthened their spiritual connection and inspired them to deepen their studies.
The competition concluded with an award ceremony followed by a grand communal iftar, where more than 150 attendees gathered to break their fast together. This spirit of togetherness reflected the core values of Ramadan: unity, generosity, and gratitude. As participants, organizers, and guests shared a meal, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of achievement and a strong sense of community bonding.
The success of this event highlights the collaborative efforts of student organizations and UTM in promoting Quranic culture and strengthening social connections. With its overwhelmingly positive reception, the competition remains a source of inspiration, fostering a deeper love for the Quran and encouraging future generations to engage with its teachings in meaningful ways.