Rokiah Mahmud
Thirty Brunei students pursuing their studies at Al-Azhar University and Ma’had Qira’at Al-Azhar received their Bachelor degrees during a graduation ceremony at Qasr Al-Amirat, Egypt.
Attending the event as the guest of honour was Rector of Al-Azhar University Professor Dr Salamah Daud.
The ceremony commenced with the recitation of Al-Quran with Tarannum by Dayangku Nor Hidayatul Athirah binti Pengiran Haji Mohd Yusran, followed by welcoming remarks from chairman of the convocation ceremony Mohammad Nur Aiman bin Haji Tarip.
It continued with a speech by Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Brunei Darussalam in Egypt Pengiran Ahmad Munir @ Pengiran Abdul Aziim bin Pengiran Haji Nordin.
Professor Dr Salamah Daud said Bruneians studying at Al-Azhar University are regarded as Islamic religious ambassadors in Islamic countries.
He hoped all graduates from Al-Azhar University will set an example and become ambassadors for the university wherever they go and continue the ‘risalah wassatiyyah’ in Islamic teaching.
He added that though they will encounter disagreement on certain ‘Hukum’, they must strongly hold on to the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jama’ah teaching.
Meanwhile, graduates expressed their gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam for the opportunity to pursue further studies at Al-Azhar University.
One of the graduates, Fauziah Fakrunissa binti Haji Jopry @ HM Mujiburrahman, said some of her memorable moments during her studies were attending lectures and sitting for the examination online.
“Alhamdulillah, by following my parents’ advise while blessed with their prayers, I managed to do my best during the examination.”
For Aqilah binti Abdul Khalid, the pandemic had affected her studies, especially when they needed to adjust to virtual learning online.
She added that, sitting for the examination online was another challenge. “With strong will and determination, Alhamdulillah I managed to complete my studies at Al-Azhar University,” she said.
