Kota Kinabalu: The State Government will establish a RM3 million Quran Disposal Centre in Kinarut this year under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif said the centre will serve as a dedicated site for the disposal of old copies of the Quran or printed materials containing sacred verses that have been damaged, in accordance with Islamic guidelines.
“The allocation for the construction of the centre has been approved and the building period is expected to take approximately one year.
“This Quran Disposal Centre will be maintained by State Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jheains) and the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis).
“Currently, a similar facility exists in Tawau; however, the State Government will establish a specialised centre in Kinarut,” he said when met by the media after paying a courtesy call to Sabah Head of State Tun Musa Aman here Monday.
The visit was intended to brief Musa on the Sabah State-level Quran Recitation and Memorisation Competition (MTHQNS), which is scheduled to take place from Feb 10-13.
Dr Mohd Arifin said MTHQNS will be held at Dewan Saadah, Wisma Muis, beginning with a Quranic convention followed by recitation and memorisation competitions for both youth and adult categories, prior to the closing ceremony which will be officiated by Musa on this Friday.
Additionally, he said the Sabah State Mosque is currently being upgraded; the lower section of the mosque is complete and available for temporary use for congregational daily and Friday prayers.
“As for the Main Hall, upgrading works are ongoing and it remains temporarily closed. Furthermore, there are plans to extend the internal courtyard area to accommodate a larger capacity of worshippers,” he added.
Also present were the Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Isnin Aliasnih and Muis President Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin.
