Quran Must Guide Policy, Education, and Economy: Malaysian Official

IQNA – At the opening of the World Quran Symposium 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a call was made to integrate the Quran as a comprehensive guide for policymaking, education, and economic strategies, rather than limiting its role to recitation and memorization.  

Addressing the opening ceremony on Thursday, Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi emphasized the need to make the Quran the foundation in all aspects of lifend country governance to raise a spiritually and intellectually balanced generation.

He stressed the Quran should shape policymaking, education, and economic strategies, rather than be limited to recitation and memorization alone.

“Today, we live in a fast-paced world where technology advances without boundaries, with an abundance of skyscrapers, and a rapidly advancing economy. Yet behind all this progress, the human soul grows increasingly restless, and morals are eroding, weakening our sense of humanity.

“Here lies the role of the Quran, a divine manual for life, a guide, a code for building civilizations, and above all, a rope that connects humankind to Allah SWT,” he said.

The World Quran Symposium 2025 has been held in conjunction with the 65th International Quran Recitation and Memorization Assembly (MTHQA) at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Center.

Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said that while physical and technological advancements are essential, Malaysia must also focus on nurturing individuals of a Quranic generation with strong faith, rooted in noble values, who excel in both this world and the hereafter.

To support the aspiration, the government implements various initiatives, including the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Huffaz (Quran memorizers) program and the Pre-Tahfiz Program at Community Development Department (KEMAS) preschools.

“Starting with just 100 preschools, the program has expanded to over 8,167 (KEMAS) preschools nationwide and aims to produce 140,000 young huffaz by 2026,” he said, adding that the aspiration is also supported by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) with its ulul albab (intellectuals with good character) concept at 57 MARA Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) nationwide.

“Alhamdulillah, MRSM ranks among the top-performing schools in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, whose results were announced recently,” he added.

On the World Quran Symposium, Ahmad Zahid said that the program is more than an intellectual platform that brings together scholars, but a strategic initiative to strengthen Malaysia’s position as a leading voice in global Islamic discourse.

“The country is emerging as a bridge between intellectual legacy and modern innovation, a center for contemporary Islamic dialogue and a voice of moderation that upholds principles amid the confusion of the contemporary world.

“Therefore, do not let this symposium end on stage and paper. Let it be the catalyst for a renewed Quranic intellectual movement, a driver of national policy and a unifying force to build Malaysia on the foundation of divine values,” he said.

The World Quran Symposium 2025 brought together 1,500 participants, including members of the Fatwa Muzakarah Committee, lecturers, university students, Shariah experts, ministry representatives, and members of the public, with the goal of strengthening the appreciation of Quranic values in everyday life.

Source: Bernama