His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday reminded Muslims to turn to Allah the Almighty and Al-Quran when faced with calamity.
His Royal Highness said this during a sabda to open the finals of the National Al-Quran Reading Competition for Adults for 1444 Hijrah at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas.
On the theme Bersabar, Berikhtiar, Bertawakkal dan Berdoa Menghadapi Ujian Dengan Petunjuk Al-Quran, His Royal Highness called on the ummah to make a habit of reading Al-Quran, performing Munajat and practicing supplication, zikir and wirid, either alone or in groups, as these acts strengthen spiritual strength as well as uphold the integrity of the community and the nation.
“Every human being and every creature created by Allah the Almighty have to face a series of challenges and tests. Every calamity that Allah the Almighty casts on a person is a test of faith,” said His Royal Highness, while urging Muslims to develop patience and make effort in performing supplication to overcome trials and tribulations. His Royal Highness noted a titah 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 during the recent Nuzul Al-Quran celebration: “When faced with difficulties, one draws strength from patience because Allah the Almighty is always with those who are patient. Being tested is a sign of love from Allah the Almighty while having faith is the act of worship.”
His Royal Highness said faith can only be developed through reading, interpreting and understanding Al-Quran, to the point of being able to tell right from wrong, sincerity from pretense and to protect righteousness.
“Having faith is important and increasingly vital in today’s world, which is filled with ambiguity and confusion due to the decreasing emphasis on the true purpose of life.”
On the National Al-Quran Reading Competition, His Royal Highness said, “For more than six decades, the country has succeeded in producing Al-Quran readers who make a mark in the field of Tarannum Al-Quran on the world stage.
“Such an achievement is proof of the persistent efforts of Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien in ensuring that Islamic education, especially Al-Quran, serves as a guide to a fulfilling life.”
On arrival earlier, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, was greeted by Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Chief Syar’ie Judge Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar and Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd Tashim bin Pengiran Haji Hassan.
Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin, as the chairperson of the executive committee for the competition, said the competition is annually held to glorify Islam in the Sultanate. The finals, which began yesterday, will conclude tomorrow at the Plenary Hall of the ICC.
Twelve Al-Quran readers are competing in the finals. Haji Nasrul Fakhri bin Haji Yahya, Ahmad Zulwaqar bin Suhaili, Pengiran Haji Amirul Aiman bin Pengiran Haji Marjuki, Awangku Adi Nazri bin Pengiran Haji Jofri, Ahmad Syuja’ie bin Begawan Mudim Haji Matassim and Ashizal bin Zainal Abidin are competing in the male category. Dayangku Fauziah Nadhirah binti Pengiran Haji Jofri, Hajah Nurfaezah binti Haji Emran, Dayangku Siti Ummi Syazana binti Pengiran Haji Marjuki, Dayangku Nurul Sakinah Adawiyah binti Pengiran Ainolazahar, Dr Hajah Siti Wardah binti Major (Rtd) Haji Abdul Rahman, and Amal Nazirah binti Haji Asmat are competing in the female category. – Azlan Othman
