UNIVERSITI Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) will establish a special memorial space in honour of its late student Nurly Sahirah Azman, whose life and devotion to the Quran have moved the nation following her tragic death in a road accident last month.
Announcing the plan, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said the Galeri Nurly Sahirah would be housed in UPSI’s forthcoming faculty building, the Institut Pendidikan Tahfiz dan Turath Islami (I-Furqan), which is expected to be completed by early 2027.
“This gallery is UPSI’s tribute to a distinguished student who, as we all now know, was found in death clutching the Quran tightly to her chest,” said Mohd Na’im during a visit to Nurly Sahirah’s family in Kampung Gong Pasir, Kerandang.
He added that, subject to her parents’ consent, the university intends to exhibit Nurly Sahirah’s handwritten Quran manuscript along with a curated collection of other mushaf and religious texts. The gallery, he said, is meant to inspire future generations of Quran memorisers by highlighting the personal commitment of writing and preserving scripture by hand.
The gallery will not only serve as a display of spiritual devotion, he noted, but also as an academic and reference centre for students and researchers in Quranic studies.
Mohd Na’im also called on members of the public, especially the private sector, to contribute via wakaf (endowment) to support the gallery’s development.
“The young should take inspiration from the character and deep love Nurly Sahirah held for the Quran,” he said, urging youth to reflect on her example.
Nurly Sahirah, 23, was one of 15 UPSI students who perished in the 9 June tragedy on the East-West Highway near Gerik, when a chartered bus travelling from Jertih back to the Tanjong Malim campus overturned after a collision with a Perodua Alza. Thirty-three others were injured in the crash, including drivers and passengers from both vehicles.
During his visit, Mohd Na’im also met five families of the deceased and five of the injured students, distributing financial aid to help ease their burdens.
Each bereaved family received RM7,500 in total, comprising RM5,000 from Yayasan Taqwa (MAIWP), RM1,000 from the Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YAPEIM), RM1,100 from the Jakim-Yayasan Wakaf Malaysia Musa’adah Fund, and RM400 from PPZ-MAIWP.
Injured students received RM4,000 each, including RM2,000 from Yayasan Taqwa, RM1,000 from YAPEIM, RM600 from Jakim’s Musa’adah Fund, and RM400 from PPZ-MAIWP. Additionally, every family visited was given a food basket worth RM150.
“For those we could not visit today, their aid will be distributed in stages by the relevant agencies, God willing,” said Mohd Na’im. - July 5, 2025
