Izah Azahari
Abdul Qawiyyel Azeez bin Haji Abdul Rajid championed the male category in the finals of the National Al-Quran Reading Competition for Youth for 1444 Hijrah/2023 on Thursday, while Dayangku Alya Syahirah binti Pengiran Haji Jofri championed the female category.
Second places went to Abdul Haziq Syarafuddin bin Abdul Habib and Najla’ Sabreena binti Haji Abdul Rajid, while Zainal Mustapa bin Jaluddin and Dayangku Alma Hazirah binti Pengiran Haji Jofri were in third place.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad presented the prizes at the Digadong Hall of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) building.
Director of Youth and Sports Umi Kalthum binti Haji Abdul Karim in her capacity as the Chairwoman of the event delivered a welcoming speech. The minister later delivered a speech highlighting that preparing youth with knowledge of Al-Quran and adorning them with noble character and personality is inseparable from daily Al-Quran reading.
“This means that understanding and reciting Al-Quran should not be limited to competitions but practiced in everyday life.”
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi said producing a generation of noble-mannered Al-Quran followers is in line with the vision of the National Youth Policy and the 2020-2035 Strategy as youth like these will become future leaders guided by Islamic principles.
“Youth who practice the teachings of Al-Quran in all aspects of their behaviour, manners, and ethics are undoubtedly capable of leading towards goodness.
“Youth who constantly remember Allah the Almighty will have their minds guided towards righteousness, while strengthening their faith,” said the minister. The Ahlul Raahimin group enlivened the event with a tausyeh performance, followed by the result announcement by Judging Panel Chairman Pengiran Haji Amiruddin bin Pengiran Haji Damit.
The champions brought home trophies, BND2,000 cash prize, haj fund worth BND500 sponsored by Perbadanan Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei (TAIB) and certificate of participation.
The second place and third place winners brought home BND1,500 and BND1,000; as well as haj fund worth BND300 and BND200, a trophy and certificate of participation.
This year’s competition saw 71 participants comprising 44 male and 27 female participants aged between 15 to 30 competing in the preliminary round on May 10 to 13, while 30 participants (15 males and 15 females) competed in the semi-finals on June 11.
