Kota Kinabalu: Muslims in the State must continuously uphold and internalise the teachings of the Quran as the foundation for building a progressive, prosperous and harmonious community.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor said the State-Level Quran Recitation and Memorization Assembly (Majlis Tilawah dan Hafazan al-Quran) is among the State government’s strategic approaches to encourage Muslims to appreciate and elevate the Quran in their daily lives.
At the same time, he said continuing organising of such religious events reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that spiritual and physical development progress hand in hand, maintaining a balance between worldly and spiritual affairs for the Muslim community.
“This year’s State-Level Quran Recitation and Memorization Assembly serves as a prelude to further initiatives aimed at upholding Islam during the early phase of the state government’s second term in office.
“Therefore, the continuation of this event is not merely about sustaining an annual religious tradition, but represents the government’s dedication and seriousness in upholding the syiar (symbols and teachings) of Islam, the official religion of our beloved nation,” he said.
Hajiji said this in his speech at the closing ceremony and prize presentation of the Sabah State-Level Quran Recitation and Memorization Assembly for 1447H/2026M, held at Dewan Saadah, Wisma MUIS, on Friday.
Sabah’s Governor Tun Musa Aman delivered the official address at the ceremony.
Also present were the Governor’s wife, Toh Puan Faridah Tussin, and the Chief Minister’s wife, Datin Seri Juliah Salag.
Hajiji said the event also serves as a platform to produce qari and qariah (male and female Quran reciters), as well as hafiz and hafizah (male and female Quran memorisers), who not only excel in recitation and memorization but also serve as role models for society.
“The government remains committed to facilitating various initiatives related to Islamic religious education, tahfiz institutions and Islamic appreciation programs as a continuous effort to build a knowledgeable, morally upright and progressive community,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said the State government has incorporated Green Sustainability into the three core thrusts of the SMJ 2.0 Development Plan, under Thrust J, which covers Infrastructure Network and Green Sustainability, to ensure lasting safety and well-being for the state and its people.
“In the Holy Quran, verse 77 of Surah Al-Qasas emphasizes the prohibition against causing destruction on earth. We take guidance from this by embedding Green Sustainability into the three core thrusts of the SMJ 2.0 Development Plan.
“In this regard, the government has allocated RM672.05 million for biodiversity protection, environmental conservation and climate change response, with a commitment to achieve 30 percent Total Protected Areas by 2030,” Hajiji said.
