Adib Noor
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 last night graced the National Level Nuzul Al-Quran Celebration for 1443 Hijrah at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas.
Upon arrival, His Majesty 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 in his capacity as Chairman of the Executive Committee for the Major Islamic Calendar Events for 1443 Hijrah.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah were also present.
The event began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned.
This was followed by welcoming remarks from Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin who expressed gratitude that the country was able to celebrate the event amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is a blessing by Allah the Almighty to our country with the wise and insightful leadership of His Majesty,” he said. The minister further stated that the teaching and learning of Al-Quran is strengthened by the Government of His Majesty with the implementation of programmes that cover recitation, memorisation, understanding and translation.
He added that there are currently 647 men and women who have obtained the accreditation (tauliah) from the Brunei Islamic Religious Council to teach Al-Quran reading.
Meanwhile, Director of Islamic Da’wah Centre Haji Abdul Rajid bin Haji Mohd Salleh in his role as Chairman of the Judging Committee announced the winners of this year’s National Level Al-Quran Memorisation and its Understanding Competition for 1443 Hijrah.
The first prize winner in Category A was Amal ‘Aziyah binti Muhamad Saiful Ashren with a score of 98.74 per cent, and received a prize of BND1,500.
The runners-up were Nur Sofiyyah Solehah binti Mohammad Fikri (98.49 per cent) with a BND1,000 cash prize and Nur Hazierah Khalisah binti Haji Umardani (96.92 per cent) with a BND750 cash prize.
Abdul Matin bin Zulnorein topped Category B with a score of 98.56 per cent and received BND2,000 in cash prize. Ahmad Muhammad @ Munir bin Ibrahim (98.36 per cent) and Mohammad Firdaus bin Mohammad Salleh (98.31 per cent) claimed second and third places, and received BND1,500 and BND1,200 respectively.
In Category C, the first place went to Ahmad Darwish bin Hamdan (97.8 per cent), who received BND2,800. The first and second runners-up were Muhamad Faiz Najwan bin Muhamad Salleh (96.82 per cent) with BND2,000 and Nur Izzy Aziah binti Ahmad (95.45 per cent) with BND1,500.
In Category D, Dalili Bazilah binti Haji Jailani emerged as the winner with a score of 97.57 per cent. She received BND3,500.
Second place went to Ahmad Hamizan @ Ahmad Aliridha bin Haji Laidin (94.87 per cent), who received BND2,500, while Dayangku Nurfaiezah binti Pengiran Haji Kamaluddin (94.68 per cent) came in third place and received BND2,000. In Category E, the winner was Dalili Faiqah binti Nasaruddin with a score of 96.48 per cent and received BND5,000 in cash prize.
Second place went to Mohamed Sahmie bin Mohamed Shalahudden (95.91 per cent) with BND3,500 while third place was Awangku Muhammad Abdul Qadir bin Pengiran Haji Ibrahim (94.60 per cent) with BND2,500.
The theme for this year’s celebration was ‘Bertemankan Al-Quran Sepanjang Zaman’ (Companionship with Al-Quran Throughout the Ages).
