PUTATAN: The Tilawah and Hafazan Al-Quran (MTHQ) programme has emerged as an important platform to promote Islamic teachings while cultivating a knowledgeable, ethical, and united society.
Putatan Member of Parliament Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya said the initiative aligns with its objectives of making MTHQ a forum for knowledge and strengthening Muslim unity.
“This is a crucial platform to enliven Islamic teachings, deepen love for the Al-Quran, and enable its understanding and practice in daily life.
“By fostering a strong connection with the Al-Quran, we cultivate a community that is disciplined, morally upright, united, and respectful towards one another.
“Let us all work together, especially in the Putatan district, to nurture a society that cherishes the Al-Quran, contributing to welfare, unity, and harmony,” he said during the opening ceremony of the Putatan District Tilawah and Hafazan Al-Quran event on Friday.
He said that the programme marks the initial stage of the Sabah State MTHQ, before progressing to divisional, state, and eventually national levels.
“The programme also serves as a platform to select the best qari, qariah, hafiz, and hafizah to represent Putatan in the next stage,” he added.
Shahelmey also hoped that the selected participants would not only excel in recitation and memorisation but also serve as ambassadors of the Al-Quran, uphold the noble image of Islam, and be role models for the community.
For the record, the Putatan district MTHQ champion qari is Nashraf Ideen Nahar, while the champion qariah is Pangiran Dg Saliah Awang Salleh.
Both will represent Putatan at the West Coast South Division MTHQ, scheduled for January 11–12, at Dewan Seri Sulaman, Tuaran.
Also present were Tanjung Keramat assemblyman Shah Alfie Yahya, Petagas Community Development Leader Shamsur Zulkifli representing the Petagas assemblyman, Putatan District Officer Masawi Salleh, who is also the Chairman of the Putatan MTHQ 2026 Organising Committee, JHEAINS Religious Administration Officer Aisah Ohdin, and Putatan District Council Executive Officer Ahmad Helmy Mohd Taib.
