PUTRAJAYA, 6 JULY 2012: Tourism Malaysia is working with a number of domestic and international travel agencies to develop and market packages, in conjunction with the 54th International Al-Quran Recital Competition at Dewan Merdeka, Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur. The event, which begins today, will last for eight days, ending on 13 July.

Supported by the Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM), Wisma Putra, and the National Mosque, the International Al-Quran Recital Package is being sold by travel agents in Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, and has received encouraging response.

Meanwhile, Malaysians interested to attend the International Al-Quran Recital have a choice of eight different packages to choose from developed by five local agencies.

As an added value, Tourism Malaysia is organizing a special seminar on 7 and 8 July at the Islamic Art Museum Auditorium, Kuala Lumpur, for those who purchase the packages.

On 7 July, participants will be able to attend a talk by Cik Hajah Sharifah Kasif, the champion of the 2009 International Al-Quran Recital competition. The talk, titled "The wonders of the Al-Quran", will be also be accompanied by performances of the Qasida al-Burda and ghazal, and a zikir recital by Cik Hajah Sharifah Khasif herself, before lunch and Zuhur prayer at the National Mosque.

On 8 July, participants will be able to attend a forum hosted by Professor Madya Sharifah Hayaati & Professor Dr. Muhaya, titled "Al-Quran as a Source of Entertaintment", followed by lunch and Zuhur prayer at the National Mosque.

PACKAGES FOR SOUTHEAST ASIA

The international packages offered are for a duration of either 3 days and 2 nights, or 4 days and 3 nights, and participants may choose to attend either the opening or closing ceremony of the event.

To date, 139 tourists from Singapore have purchased this package, followed by Thailand (46 customers), Brunei (27 customers), and Indonesia (16 customers).

PACKAGE FOR THE DOMESTIC MARKET

Packages available for the domestic market are the Sejarah Islam & Tilawah Al-Quran package (2D1N), the Musabaqah Tilawah Al-Quran (3D2N), the Lawatan Musabaqah Tilawah Al-Quran (1D), the Pakej Istimewa Tilawah Al-Quran (3D2N) & (5D4N), the Kembara Rohani dan Tilawah (3D2N) and the Kembara Penjernihan Jiwa & Tilawah (4D3N)

Aside from the main event, the packages also offer visits to several mosques in the Klang Valley and Putrajaya areas, various historical sites and recreational parks, as well as shopping events.

The tour agencies that have helped develop these packages are LMN Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd. (Melaka), Komas Safar Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd. (perak), Permai Rantau Sdn. Bhd., Dinar Holidays Sdn. Bhd. and Pesaka Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd. (Kuala Lumpur & Selangor).

The first 80 participants who register on the 7, 8, 11 and 12 July, stand a chance to attend a special seminar with Cik Hajjah Sharifah Khasif, at the Islamic Arts Museum Auditorium, Kuala Lumpur.

These packages are valid until 13 July 2012, and can be obtained from the Tourism Malaysia website at www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my.

For further information, please contact Ahmad Bakhtiar Abdul Majid, Senior Tourism Officer, International Marketing Division (Southeast Asia), Tourism Malaysia at 03 - 8891 8263 or email him at ahmadbakhtiar@tourism.gov.my or Hisham Abdul Hak, Tourism Officer, Domestic Marketing Division, Tourism Malaysia at 03-8891 8412 or his email at hisham@tourism.gov.my.