Malaysia’s MAPIM Invited to Attend Tehran Int’l Quran Exhibition
During the visit, the delegation, led by Ali Reza Moaf, the Quran and Etrat Deputy of the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, held talks with MAPIM chief Muhammad Azmi Abdulhamid.
The meeting began with recitation of the Holy Quran by Iranian Quran master Nosratollah Hosseini.
Then, Abdulhamid presented a report on the history and activities of MAPIM, saying it was launched in 2006 and currently oversees the activities of more than 200 institutes.
He said MAPIM has some two million members and carries out various activities regarding international issues, including those in Southeast Asian countries.
According to Abdulhamid, the activities of MAPIM are divided into two levels, with the first one, named ‘Tahrir’ (freedom), relating to fighting oppressions against the Muslim Ummah and also implementing charity and humanitarian work.
The second level, which is named Taghyeer (change) is aimed at creating internal change in the Muslim Ummah, which is facing many problems in such fields as economy, education, family, politics, and environment, he stated.
He noted that one of the main grounds from which MAPIM seeks to bring change and awareness in the Muslim Ummah is mosques.
Mosques should turn into centers for the development of the Ummah, he said, adding that the following two verses of the Quran are the basis of MAPIM’s objectives focusing on mosques:
“You are the best nation that ever existed among humanity. You command people to good and prohibit them from evil, and you believe in God. Had the People of the Book accepted the faith (Islam), it would certainly have been better for them. Some of them have faith, but most of them are evil doers.” (Verse 110 of Surah Al-Imran)
“Only those who believe in God, the Day of Judgment, perform their prayers, pay the religious tax, and have fear of God alone have the right to establish and patronize the mosque of God so that perhaps they will have the right guidance.” (Verse 18 of Surah At-Tawba)
“We are going to hold numerous classes, especially for the younger generation, in the field of understanding the Quran, which focus not only on recitation but also contemplation of the Quran and using its concepts in everyday life,” Abdulhamid added.
He also invited Iran to have long-term participation in these programs.
Moaf, for his part, hailed MAPIM’s focus on the role of mosques and said the Holy Prophet (PBUH) created a Quranic society in Medina based on the pivotal role of mosque and the formation of the Islamic civilization also began with mosques.
He said this should also be the basis of Islamic civilization building in today’s world.
Moaf also invited MAPIM and its president to take part in next year’s edition of the Tehran International Holy Quran Exhibition, which will be held in the holy month of Ramadan (April).
The Iranian delegation has traveled to Malaysia for the Southeast Asian country’s’ 62nd international Holy Quran competition, which concluded on Monday.
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