DARUL QURAN TO OFFER DEGREE COURSE

KOTA BAHARU (Malaysia), April 7 (Bernama) -- The Islamic Development Department Malaysia (Jakim) with the cooperation of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) will upgrade the status of Darul Quran, a Quran reciting and memorising training institute, in Kuala Kubu Baru in the state of Selangor, by offering a degree course.

Jakim director-general Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz said the move would
help create more imam qualified in tahfiz al-Quran for mosques throughout the
country.

"The first intake for the degree course will be in July and applications are
now open.

"The move will also enhance the quality of Islamic education, especially in
Quran reciting and memorising," he told reporters at a national-level Quran
memorising programme, here, Monday night.

Northeastern state of Kelantan Chief Minister Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat was not
present to officiate but his speech text was read by state Islamic Development,
Education and Propagation Committee chairman, Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah.

Wan Mohamad said the tahfiz al-Quran institute which had about 3,000
students were only now offering certificate and diploma courses.

"They were accepted into the institute based on their good results in the
Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.

"We hope with the upgrading of the institute's status, Malaysia will be able
to produce many more imam who are qualified in tafsir al-Quran," he added.
-- BERNAMA