MELAKA, March 25 (Bernama) -- A giant-sized Al-Quran weighing more than 7.5 kg is one of the main attractions at the Al-Quran Sales Exposition in conjunction with the Pre-Ramadan Sale which began today.

Nasyrul Quran and Restu Foundation corporate director Nurashikin Abdul Latif said the eight-day expo at the Muzaffar Hotel also gave the public an opportunity to experience the Al-Quran printing process and how the Al-Quran is produced.

“This is the first time we have held an exhibition outside of the Restu Foundation and the large-sized Al-Quran was specially brought for the visitors in Melaka, as the state is the first location for us to exhibit the unique Al-Quran.

"What’s more interesting is visitors can copy the verses of Al-Quran themselves based on the techniques we have come up with through special books which are on sale," she told reporters when met at the launch ceremony of the sales exposition here today.

The ceremony was officiated by State Women's Affairs, Family Development and Welfare Committee chairman Datuk Kalsom Noordin.

Meanwhile, Nurashikin said visitors could also get copies of the holy book in various types of writing styles, designs and sizes, including translations done in various languages including English, Malay, Jawi, Mandarin, Kazakh, and Cambodian.

"Visitors also have the opportunity to buy the Al-Quran at a special price, which starts from as low as RM20 while the larger size is priced at RM450, which is suitable for use in mosques or surau," she said.

Kalsom added that the expo could be a catalyst for the rise of women entrepreneurs in Melaka who had previously been affected by various factors including COVID-19 and floods.

"Apart from the Al-Quran exhibition, there are 18 stalls that also sell various products. Their products are expected to help them get back on their feet this Ramadan," she said.

Kalsom added that her office also plans to hold an expo this Ramadan as part of the effort to find and regroup the affected women entrepreneurs.

“As we saw during the last Ramadan bazaar, especially in Peringgit, out of 300 stalls, more than 20 per cent of the traders and entrepreneurs were women.

"With such efforts, including collaborations with large companies, we can help women not to be too dependent on their husbands or family finances. They need to have their own earnings," she said.

-- BERNAMA