Azlan Othman
Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam’s (BIBD) Advocating Life-long Learning for an Aspiring Future (ALAF) programme organised a Khatam Al-Quran ceremony at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Girls Arabic Religious Secondary School yesterday.
The ceremony celebrated the successful completion of Al-Quran reading by the students under the programme.
Assistant State Mufti (Buhuth) at the State Mufti’s Office Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mazanan bin Haji Yusof was the guest of honour.
BIBD Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Junaidi bin Haji Masri, BIBD Board members, senior management, senior government officials and the BIBD ALAF task force were also present. After the religious ceremony, the students received tokens of appreciation and Syawal hampers.
BIBD ALAF, the bank’s flagship corporate social responsibility initiative, provides financial assistance, education support and guidance to underprivileged students.
The BIBD ALAF programme takes a holistic approach to educational support, covering academic development as well as extra curricular activities aimed at moulding the students into industry-ready, well-rounded and well-educated individuals with strong Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) values.
The programme has helped over 300 students since its inception in 2013.
Head of BIBD’s Government Relations and Special Projects Division Haji Mohammad Yusri bin Haji Wahasalfelah expressed gratitude to the strategic partners from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Religious Affairs, stakeholders, sponsors and volunteers who contributed to the success of BIBD ALAF.
“The success of the BIBD ALAF programme is also a testament to the resilience and determination of our students, who have overcome various challenges to pursue their dreams,” said Haji Mohammad Yusri. “We are incredibly proud of our students, and Insya Allah, will continue to support their academic journey.”
GLORIFYING AL-QURAN
On Tuesday, BIBD also held its annual Khatam Al-Quran ceremony to enliven the holy month of Ramadhan and reap rewards and benefits from Allah the Almighty.
After the religious ceremony, BIBD presented the Waqaf Mushaf Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) to Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque and Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (ITQSHHB).
The Waqaf Mushaf UNISSA was an initiative that began in 2011 by 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 who handwrote the opening of Bismillah for the Surah Al-Fatihah of the Mushaf.
The Mushaf was completed in 2020 and distribution to religious institutions, schools, and Muslim converts began in 2022.
The initiative highlights the importance of Al-Quran and its teachings in the lives of Muslims and encourages the dissemination of the holy book.
A congratulatory token was also presented to Bruneian qari Abdul Aziz bin Noor Nasran who clinched a top 10 spot at the recent 26th International Al-Quran memorisation contest in Dubai.
