BY FASIHA KHUSHIRI & RAIHANAH REDUAN
KUCHING: The Sarawak Islamic Council (SUC) is intensifying its efforts to enhance Quranic education by expanding the establishment of “Rumah Ngaji” across the state, aimed at cultivating a Quran-literate society.
Its president, Datuk Misnu Taha, said a total of 32 Rumah Ngaji have been registered to date, covering areas such as Lawas, Limbang and several other locations, with ongoing initiatives to further widen their reach.
He said that these learning centres are set up in various venues, including suraus, mosques and private residences equipped with suitable facilities, to ensure easier access for local communities to learn and understand the Quran.
“This effort will continue to be strengthened with the support of various parties so that more Muslims in Sarawak can consistently participate in Quranic learning.
“We want these centres to play an important role in improving recitation, understanding and appreciation of the Quran among the people,” he said to reporters when receiving a courtesy visit from the Sarawak delegation to the National Quran Recitation and Memorisation Assembly 2026 at Level 17, Majma’ Mall today (Mar 30).
He noted that response to Quran-related programmes has been very encouraging, including large-scale khatam events such as one held in Lawas recently which attracted 1,100 participants.
He added that the establishment of these centres is part of a broader strategic effort to strengthen Quranic development in Sarawak, in line with the upcoming Sarawak Quran Centre, which will function as the main coordinating institution for related programmes.
In addition, SIC is actively undertaking efforts to translate the Quran into various ethnic languages in Sarawak to broaden understanding among different communities.
“To date, translations have been completed in Iban, Bidayuh and Melanau, among others, and these efforts will continue to be enhanced so more people can grasp the message of the Quran.
“At the same time, Quran centres are also focusing on inclusivity by providing learning opportunities for special groups, including the visually impaired through Braille and the hearing impaired,” he said.
In a related development, Sarawak will send six representatives to the National Quran Recitation and Memorisation Assembly 1447H/2026M, scheduled to take place from April 13 to 18 in Terengganu.
For the recitation (tilawah) category, Sarawak will be represented by Jubni Sulong (Qari) from Samarahan and Nur Syakura Mohamad Musa (Qariah) from Kuching.
Meanwhile, the memorisation (hafazan) category will feature Azizul Azmin Abdul Rajak (Juzuk 1–10, male) and Adeela Bokhari (Juzuk 1–10, female), both from Kuching, as well as Harith Zakwan Sebli (Juzuk 1–20, male) from Limbang.
Also representing Sarawak is Muhammad Najdat Arsyad Madzalan Abdul Rahman from Bintulu in the Juzuk 1–30 (male) category.
