Kuala Lumpur: The International Sahihul Bukhari Recitation Ceremony organized by the Religious Affairs Ministry of Malaysia was successfully held at the Masjid Putra in Putrajaya, Malaysia on Thursday. The event, which commenced on the 10th of this month, concluded with a keynote lecture by the  Grand Mufti of India, Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, who arrived in Malaysia as an official guest of the government.

The ceremony was inaugurated by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in the presence of senior government officials, renowned scholars, and hundreds of religious students from around the world. Organized under the auspices of the Malaysian Religious Affairs Department, the 12-day gathering served as a platform to cultivate and disseminate Islamic heritage and tradition through Sahih al-Bukhari, regarded as the most authoritative text after the Holy Quran.

During the closing ceremony, the Grand Mufti delivered a scholarly lecture and conferred Ijazat (scholarly certification) to attendees. Additionally, the first phase of Tadkeerul Qari, a 20-volume commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari authored by Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, was officially launched. This monumental work is the result of decades of studies, deliberations, and teaching experiences of Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, relying on classical commentaries and scholarly insights.

The event, attended by a selected audience of 750 participants, was held under the supervision of Malaysia’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Dr. Muhammad Naeem bin Mukhtar. It marks an important initiative under the Malaysia Madani Policy led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to promote the growth and dissemination of traditional Islamic scholarship.

Grand Mufti of India, Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad's visit also included various cultural and social engagements and a special meeting with the Prime Minister. His presence further strengthened the long-standing religious and cultural ties between India and Malaysia.

This annual gathering, initiated last year, was inaugurated by the Grand Mufti after he received the Ma'al Hijra Award, Malaysia’s highest honour for religious scholars. The event has since become a hallmark of Malaysia’s efforts to foster global Islamic scholarship and traditions.