31 Oct 2014
Koran theme park proposed by Malaysian MP
BY Tom Anstey
A Malaysian MP has proposed the country develop the world’s first ever Koran theme park, in an effort to draw more religious tourism to the country.
Ahmad Marzuk Shaary of the PAS-Bachok party said building the religious theme park would be of greater benefit than a proposed RM30m (US$9.1m, €7.2m, £5.7m) printing centre in Putrajaya.
Shaary proposed to parliament during the 2015 Budget speech that the allocation of funding be changed for use in constructing a Koran theme park, stating: “In Malaysia, we already have Legoland, Sunway Lagoon water theme park and the Lost World of Tambun.
"It is now time that the entire world comes to Malaysia to learn the Koran in the form of a theme park.”
The minister also suggested that the theme park be divided into 114 parts to symbolise the 114 sura (chapters) in the Koran and said he was confident the government would be willing to offer land for the proposed project.
When asked about cost for the development, Shaary said: “Cost is not a matter. What is important is the green light by the government. If we get that then there will surely be additional allocation from the government.”
The plans are not in fact the first suggested for a Koran theme park, with plans announced in 2013 for a a US$7.3m (£4.7m, €5.5m) development in Dubai. Dubai's director of projects, Mohammed Noor Mashroom, had previously said that the park would be ready by September 2014, but as of yet there has been no further word on what stage the project is at.
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