Kuala terengganu: Muhammad Hamiz Mirza Sudirman, a 23-year-old student from Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) in Brunei, emerged as the winner in the male category at the Al-Quran Recital (Tilawah) and Memorisation (Hafazan) Event for ASEAN Higher Education Institutions (MTHQ IPT ASEAN) 2025/2026. Sharing the accolade, Rushda Nuha Ramly, a 22-year-old student from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), clinched the top prize in the female category.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, both winners received RM2,000, a rotating trophy, and certificates presented by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) director-general, Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee, at the event hosted at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA).

Muhammad Hamiz attributed his victory to the teachings of his father, Sudirman Metusin, his initial Quran instructor before he joined the Skim Tilawah Al-Quran Remaja (STAR) programme. He shared that his Quranic journey began at the age of 10, and this achievement is particularly significant as it marks his first win at a higher-level Tilawah. He revealed that he dedicated daily practice for a month while managing his academic commitments.

Rushda, hailing from Sungai Besar, Selangor, faced the challenge of balancing her practice with final exams, leaving her with only a week to prepare. She expressed that mastering the taranum with its many melodies was demanding, and the win came as an unexpected delight. She encouraged the youth to integrate the Quran into their everyday lives.

Sirajuddin highlighted that this year's competition was the third edition of the MTHQ IPT ASEAN, featuring 211 participants from 50 higher education institutions, with 52 advancing to the finals. For the first time, the event included participants from other ASEAN countries such as Indonesia and Brunei. The diverse academic backgrounds of participants, ranging from Islamic studies to engineering, medicine, and information technology, signal a promising future for the region's leadership.