KUALA LUMPUR: Some 5000 visitors came as early as 6pm to Dataran Merdeka here to celebrate the World #QuranHour today in conjunction with Merdeka Day.
The event themed,’Bangsa Berbudi dan Penyayang’ started after Isyak prayers and was led by the Imam Masjid Negara.
Tonight, the memorable event saw Muslims joining in the hour long Quran recitation, united as a nation.
The #QuranHour started with the calling of takbir for Hari Raya Aidiladha lead by Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.
This also coincides with Wukuf, or the Day of Arafah.
The event continued with ‘Solidariti Ngaji’ for five minutes where participants read one page of the Surah Yasin in silence to understand deeper its meaning.
The Surah Yasin was then recited by Qari Junior Harith Hakimi, and was also recited by other Yasin flag bearers consisting of religious icons and popular artistes such as Johan As’ari while intermittently featuring tadabbur (interpretation of text) sessions.
Participants included those from the Royal Malaysia Police, armed forces, Rohingya refugees, students and locals, who were at the event, viewed a 200m by 9m screen showing the interpretations of the Surah Yasin.
Newlyweds from Egypt, Aiman and Hadeel Toony, who came to Malaysia for their honeymoon, stopped by Dataran Merdeka to catch the event and applauded the organiser's efforts in showing the beauty of Islam.
"We have never seen an event like this with so many people in attendance. It is a great way to unite the people by having an event that truly shows how Muslims are united.
"There are so many people here and it’s nice to show tourists this is one way Malaysians celebrate their Independence day," Aiman said.
Also present at the event was secretary-general of the Communications and Multimedia Ministry Datuk Seri Dr Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad.