Rokiah Mahmud
Since the ‘Aliyah Qira’at Diploma study programme was introduced at Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (ITQSHHB) 13 years ago, the programme has successfully produced 193 graduates in the field, with most having continued their studies to bachelor’s degree level at both local and foreign higher learning institutions.
The ‘Aliyah Qira’at Diploma is equivalent to Higher National Diploma (HND). The opportunity for students to improve or enhance their studies is widely open.
Nineteen students from the 2019-2021 intake who successfully completed their education journey at ITQSHHB, celebrated the achievement at the 10th Haflut Takharuj at the International Convention Centre, Berakas on August 17.
Being the only learning institution making Al-Quran memorisation compulsory for every student, the institute shouldered a greater role and responsibility in realising the country’s Brunei Vision 2035 as well as in producing Al-Huffaz (Al-Quran memorisers) in line with the Zikir Nation aspiration.
In an interview with the Weekend Bulletin, Mohd Fahmi ‘Izzuddin bin Begawan Mudim Haji Awang Tamin who obtained Mumtaz (excellent), shared that his three-year journey in completing the ‘Aliyah Qira’at Diploma was a great blessing. He also expressed gratitude to Allah the Almighty for easing his journey until he could graduate at the 10th Haflut Takharuj.
Mohd Fahmi ‘Izzuddin said support from his parents, lecturers and others had been his backbone to further setting goals for success.
“Even though we have graduated today, we need to maintain our Al-Quran memorisation as well as our Qira’at knowledge. This is one of the challenges as Al-Huffaz and Insya Allah with strong determination; we managed to overcome it as it is part of our daily life routine.”
“At the same time, I hope that I could disseminate the knowledge of Al-Quran to a wider audience. Therefore, I want to obtain or widen my Al-Quran knowledge, regardless the field or career that I will venture into in the future,” he added.
Meanwhile, Muhd Abdul Wasiq bin Haji Mohd Salleh, who obtained a Jayyid Jiddan (Very Good), shared that he will continue his studies at the Al-Azhar University in Cairo under the university’s Ma’ahad Qiraat Shoubra, specifically to further expand his studies in Qira’at knowledge. He will depart the country on August 24.
Speaking about challenges that he encountered during his Diploma study, particularly during COVID-19, Muhd Abdul Wasiq explained that one needs to set their goal to achieve success. “Once we have that determination all will come at ease and, Alhamdulillah, be rewarded with the Diploma certificate.”
“To fully understand Qira’at knowledge, it will take years. Thus, it motivated me to continue my Bachelor’s Degree in Qira’at Al-Quran,” he added.
Another Mumtaz graduate, Nurnazurah binti Mohd Nornajyadi shared that, in her journey to complete ‘Aliyah Qira’at Diploma, they needed to do Tasmie’ five times a week in front of lecturers and learnt several modules that had been set for every semester.
One of the challenges, she added, was they needed to undergo online learning during the first and second wave of COVID-19 that affected the country. “We attended our online classes every day as we could not have physical or face-to-face teaching and learning sessions at that time. We had to be focussed, but now Alhamdulillah we are happy that we managed to face all the challenges with smiles,” she said.
Nurnazurah is currently continuing her studies in Bachelor’s Degree at Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) under the Faculty of Usuluddin.
Dalili Faiqah binti Nasaruddin, another Mumtaz student, expressed her gratitude for being able to complete her studies in the field, which she added has tested her mind and patience, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As Huffaz we need to be Istiqamah in preserving our Al-Quran memorisation,” she said, adding that she will pursue her studies at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, taking a Bachelor’s Degree.
