Lyna Mohamad
Converts Muhammad Saiful Dafi bin Muhammad Suhaimi @ Suanddy bin Suhaimi; Siti Nur Afiqah binti Muhd Asnawi @ Bong Yick Mei; Haji Muhammad Nabil Hakim bin Haji Muhammad Nabil Hafizzuddin @ Alexson Anak Ampeling and Siti Nur Syahirah binti Muhd Asnawi @ Bong Yick Hwan @ Vanessa Anne Bong were crowned the male and female champions of the Murattal Al-Quran and Memorisation of Al-Quran Verses Competition at District Level for 1443 Hijrah yesterday at the Islamic Da’wah Centre (PDI).
Present as the guest of honour was PDI Director Haji Abdul Rajid bin Haji Mohd Salleh, who presented prizes to the winners.
Haji Abdul Rashid noted in his speech that the competition provides a platform to appreciate the lessons of Al-Quran.
“The competition also helps develop Al-Quran learning in the country and helps converts grow closer to Al-Quran and be able to live their lives guided by Al-Quran,” he added.
He said 13 classes have been conducted by PDI’s Muallaf Development Division (Tarbiyah Muallaf) for converts in Kampong Kuala Ungar, Kampong Long Mayan, Kampong Sungai Damit, Kampong Melilas, Kampong Sukang, Kampong Semabat, Kampong Selapon and
Kampong Sibut.
“The efforts reflect the centre’s concern for converts to provide Al-Quran lessons to guide them in their life-long journey particularly in understanding Al-Quran and Fardhu ‘Ain,” he said.
He also extended appreciation to the 28 teachers appointed to guide the converts.
Nineteen participants – five males and five females – competed in the Murattal Al-Quran category, and four males and five females in the Memorisation of Al-Quran Verses category.
In the Murattal Al-Quran Category, male competitors read Surah Al-Mu’minun and Surah An-Nur while the female competitors read Surah Al-Isra’ and Surah Yunus.
For the Memorisation of Al-Quran Verses category, the male participants read Surah Adh-Dhuha, Surah At-Tin, Surah Al-‘Adiyat and Surah Asy-Syarh as well as compulsory prayer recitations from memory.
The female participants did the same for Surah Al-Ma’un, Surah At-Takathur, Surah Az-Zalzalah and Surah Al-Humazah.
The champions will represent the Brunei-Muara District at the national level competition. The competition aims to encourage converts to read Al-Quran regularly and gain deeper understanding of the recitation as well as showcas the effectiveness of the guidance programme for converts.
Other objectives include upholding the call of 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 at the Special Meeting of the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) to sharpen dakwah in the country.
Twenty-seven converts from Brunei-Muara District auditioned for the competition at the centre’s multipurpose Hall on April 16.
