The winners of the Jawi Reading Competition for Primary Schools Nationwide 2024 were announced at the finals held at the Sports School yesterday.
In the male category, Mohamad Asyraf bin Mohamad Hamdilah from Al-Falaah School, Ban 5 was named the first place winner.
Muhd Nurhassanal Hussein bin Muhd Salahuddin from Amar Pahlawan Primary Achool and Muhammad Saifull Aiman bin Haji Mohammad Saifull Rizal from Kesuma Mekar School were in second and third places.
In the female category, Nur ‘Izzatul Batrisya Maisarah binti Norshamsharin from Pengiran Dipa Negara Pengiran Jaya Sengkarai Primary School emerged as the champion.
Meanwhile Siti Nur Asilah Alya binti Ilham of Kiudang Primary School and Nur Qistina Anabella binti Marzuki of Beribi Telanai Primary School took second and third spots.
The competition included 20 students from government and private primary schools, divided into male and female categories. Director of Private Education Department at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Sofian Erwan bin Mohammad presented the prizes. The competition aimed to improve jawi reading skills and promote jawi literacy among primary students. It was organised by the Spiritual Activities Division and the Department of Co-Curriculum Education at the MoE. – James Kon
Director of Private Education at the Ministry of Education Sofian Erwan bin Mohammad in a group photo with the participants. PHOTO: JAMES KONABOVE & BELOW: Photos show the director presenting prizes to the winners. PHOTO: JAMES KONPHOTO: JAMES KONPHOTO: JAMES KONPHOTO: JAMES KONPHOTO: JAMES KONPHOTO: JAMES KON
The Crown Prince Creative, Innovative Product and Technological Advancement (CIPTA) Award 2025 Working Committee hosted a roadshow at Tutong Sixth Form Centre (PTET) yesterday to raise awareness and interest in the CIPTA 2025 competition.
CIPTA 2025 marked the 20th anniversary of the biennial competition organised by Universiti Teknologi Brunei in partnership with Brunei LNG Sdn Bhd, as the main sponsor.
The roadshow commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, followed by the Technical Committee of CIPTA 2025 Dr Nor Asiah Muhammad and Khaliq Syafie bin Md Don delivering a presentation on the importance of nurturing creativity and innovation and its relevance to the CIPTA competition, along with the competition’s categories, rules and regulations, prizes and awards, important dates, the judging process, and examples of projects submitted in previous CIPTA competitions.
The roadshow also saw Dr Ahmad Azlan bin Ab Aziz present on the CIPTA 2025 Bootcamp, its structure and objectives, and the hands-on training and mentorship that participants would receive.
The roadshow concluded with an open forum where attendees asked questions.
Themed ‘Green Innovations’, the competition has three main categories: ‘Local’, ‘Smart Junior Competition’ and ‘ASEAN’.
The Local categories comprise: Category 1: Creating New Product, Process or Technology; Category 2: Modifying Existing Product, Process or Technology; and Category 3: Creating New or Modifying Existing Product, Process or Technology by Young Inventors. Meanwhile, the Smart Junior Competition is open to Bruneian students from lower secondary school or equivalent to Year 7 to Year 9. The ASEAN categories comprise two categories: New Invention and Innovation category and the Young Inventor category.
Each entry will be judged based on its novelty and creativity, relevance to the theme, end product deployment at par with the specified technological readiness level (TRL), and social, economic and sustainable design considerations. The assessment of submitted projects will be conducted in two stages, starting with the preliminary assessment. Only qualified entries will be allowed to proceed to the final assessment. The assessment will be evaluated based on the report, presentation and demonstration of the products.
The top three highest-scoring entries, for each category, will be awarded cash prizes for best invention, while the entries achieving the fourth and fifth highest marks will receive special mention recognition.
Students, representatives from relevant industries and the public from the Tutong District attended.
ABOVE & BELOW: The roadshow in progress; and attendees at the event. PHOTO: UTBPHOTO: UTB
The Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) has been an important platform to boost socioeconomic growth in less developed, marginalised and remote areas in the four member countries, and by leveraging this platform, member countries can foster a collaborative approach to environmental management and protection, ensuring long-term prosperity for the BIMP-EAGA region.
This was said by Director of Environment, Parks and Recreation Hajah Martinah binti Haji Tamit during the 12th Environment Cluster Meeting of the BIMP-EAGA at a hotel in Gadong yesterday.
She also highlighted the outcome of BIMP-EAGA Strategic Planning Meeting held in Kuching, Malaysia in February this year, where the development of a Blue Economy Strategy 2030 emerged as a key deliverable to seize opportunities and offer solutions to the challenges facing BIMP-EAGA and Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) of their shared seas and waterways and is confident that entrusting the Environment Cluster to materialise this strategy is a positive starting point.
The meeting, hosted by the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTre) of the Ministry of Development (MoD) also saw remarks delivered by Permanent Secretary (Planning, Land Use and Environment) at MoD Dr Nor Imtihan binti Haji Abdul Razak.
Hajah Martinah hailed the members of the Environment Cluster Working Group for their collective efforts and commitment, as well as to BIMP-EAGA Facilitation Centre, the Asian Development Bank and development partners for the support in both the completed and ongoing projects.
Permanent Secretary (Planning, Land Use and Environment) at the Ministry of Development (MoD) Dr Nor Imtihan binti Haji Abdul Razak and Director of Environment, Parks and Recreation Hajah Martinah binti Haji Tamit in a group photo with the delegation. PHOTO: MODHajah Martinah delivers her remarks. PHOTO: MOD
She also highlighted the Sabah International Blue Economy Conference organised by Sabah Maju Jaya which will be held for three days in September this year in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
The conference will focus on cooperation, innovation and conservation in the context of Sabah’s Blue Economy and encourages members to actively participate in the conference.
The meeting also shared the development and discussed the implementation of the Environment Cluster Strategic Priorities BEV 2025 (Rolling Pipeline Projects 3, 2023-2024), including new projects for this year, the Joint BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT Blue Economy Strategy 2030 focusing on Sustainable Tourism and the BIMP-EAGA Economic Corridor Study.
The meeting was attended by delegations from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.
The Sultanate’s delegation comprised officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economy and JASTre at the MoD. Representatives from the BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC), the BIMP-EAGA Facilitation Centre and Asian Development Bank also attended.
Indonesia will host the 13th BIMP-EAGA Environment Cluster Meeting which will be convened next year.
Over 30 tourist accommodation premises’ representatives attended a Hotel Town Hall briefing, organised by the Tourism Development Department yesterday.
The briefing focused on the importance of renewing the registration of these premises to ensure compliance with regulatory standards, as well as the key requirements including the validity of first aider, fire safety equipment and certification. The department reminded all current and future owners of tourist accommodation premises to ensure their premises are registered as mandated by Section 30 of the Tourism Act, Chapter 239, which states that any individual operating premises for tourist accommodation must register accordingly.
The failure to comply may result in individuals being fined up to BND5,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or both. Offences after conviction may lead to a further fine of up to BND500 for every day during which the offence continues after conviction. The briefing also saw the Brunei Association of Hotels deliver a presentation outlining its efforts to bolster the hotel industry, and the Tourism Development Department share its calendar of events for 2024 to inform hotels of upcoming activities across the country.
Currently, there are 59 registered tourism accommodation premises under the department, of which 26 hotels are members of the Brunei Association of Hotels.
The town hall in progress. PHOTO: TOURISM DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
The Ministry of Religious Affairs through its Haj Affairs Department announced that Ghufran Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd has been approved to offer umrah packages this year using the Saudi Arabia tourist visa.
With the authorisation, intending umrah pilgrims now have the option to choose from 29 travel agencies. – Azlan Othman
Local para swimmer Md Danial Hakim Harjimmey will be competing in the Para Swimming Circuit 2 organised by the Malaysian Para Swimming Association (PREPMA) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
He will be accompanied by Team Manager Harjimmey Zainal.
The Bruneian representative will take part in the 50-metre (m) freestyle, 100-m freestyle, 50-m backstroke and 50-m breaststroke.
The participation of local para athletes at these events is hoped to enhance the development of para sports in the country. – Fadhil Yunus
Brunei Darussalam para swimmer Md Danial Hakim Harjimmey. PHOTO: HARJIMMEY
SINGAPORE (BERNAMA) – Singapore’s 3G network, introduced more than 20 years ago, will be retired in phases beginning August 1, Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) announced Wednesday.
IMDA said the process will begin with M1, one of the three mobile network operators (MNOs) that provide 3G services in the island republic.
“IMDA has been tracking MNOs’ progress closely. Given that M1 has fully migrated all its individual and enterprise 3G subscribers to 4G/5G services, M1 will proceed to retire its 3G network beginning August 1, 2024,” it said in a statement.
The other two MNOs – Singtel and StarHub – will give their remaining 3G subscribers more time to migrate and will continue to assist their customers.
Both MNOs plan to commence retiring their 3G services from November 2024.
In July 2023, MNOs had announced plans to retire their 3G networks.
PHOTO: ENVATO
IMDA had said then that before retirement, MNOs must ensure that their remaining 3G subscribers, both individual and enterprise users, are migrated smoothly onto 4G/5G networks. If this is achieved, the MNOs can start to retire 3G services from July 31.
To support their 3G subscribers, MNOs are required to provide a range of 4G/5G service plans and 4G/5G mobile phone options, as well as support enterprise users and assist them to take the necessary steps to smoothly migrate.
Since February 2024, IMDA has also stopped the import and sale of 3G mobile devices in Singapore to prevent further proliferation in the market. Retailers or service providers of non telecommunication products and services that make use of 3G mobile connectivity, such as car manufacturers and fleet management service providers, were also informed of the planned retirement of the 3G networks.
They are required to take the necessary mitigation measures, and to inform their users.
IMDA said the retirement of 3G will unlock spectrum capacity that can be invested in future-ready 5G networks, to provide a better mobile experience, and support enterprise digital transformation.
Today, more than 99.9 per cent of Singapore’s mobile subscribers are already on 4G/5G, with 3G subscribers making up less than 0.1 per cent.
IMDA said 5G subscriptions have also gained prevalence since its introduction in 2022, making up 20 per cent of total mobile subscribers today and this percentage continues to grow.
CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES (AFP) – Nicolas Kuhn scored twice and Luis Palma netted the decider in the 68th minute to give Celtic a 4-3 victory over Manchester City in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday.
Norway’s Erling Haaland, wearing the City captain’s armband for the first time, nodded home an equaliser in the 57th minute only for Honduran international Palma to tap in the winning goal on a breakaway at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan Memorial Stadium.
The match was a tuneup for next month’s start of the 2024-25 campaigns for Celtic, winner of the past three Scottish Premiership crowns, and four-time defending English Premier League champion Manchester City, which began a US tour.
With several top stars resting from the European Championships, City manager Pep Guardiola used the opportunity to analyze younger talent.
The match marked a Celtic debut for goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, the 37-year-old Dane who began his career with City in 2006. He played the first half for the Hoops.
German right wing Kuhn netted a first-half brace for Celtic, playing in a fourth pre-season match.
Down 3-1 at half-time, City answered seconds into the second half on just-inserted 21-year-old Argentine substitute Maximo Perrone’s goal, a left-footed shot from the right side into the far corner on his first touch of the ball.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland heads the ball to score against Celtics. PHOTO: AFP
Haaland headed in a centering pass from countryman Oscar Bobb in the 57th minute to lift City level.
But Celtic scored the winner in the 68th minute as Palma, who entered three minutes earlier, finished a three-man breakaway as City’s defenders were caught flat-footed near midfield after pressing with the backline.
City substitute Ben Knight was denied an equaliser in the 76th minute when second-half Celtic keeper Viljami Sinisalo of Finland knocked the ball over the crossbar.
Kuhn opened the scoring in the 13th minute, taking a pass on the right side and charging in on City starting goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, then firing a left-footed shot just inside the far post.
Schmeichel denied Haaland in the 23rd minute with a right-hand save on a left-footed shot off a feed from James McAtee.
In the 31st, Schmeichel again denied Haaland, from the right side on a left-footed shot that Schmeichel swatted away with his left hand.
But Man City equalised in the 33rd minute as Haaland flicked the ball left to onrushing Bobb, who blasted a shot that deflected off Schmeichel and bounced into the goal.
Kuhn answered for Celtic in the 36th minute, rushing in from the right wing then pulling back the ball to evade a defender and curling a left-footed blast high into the goal.
Celtic stretched the edge to 3-1 in the 44th minute when Kuhn delivered a perfect centering pass to Japan’s fast-rushing Kyogo Furuhashi, who split two defenders, evaded Ortega and fired in a left-footed shot from a steep angle.
Man City’s US tour continues Saturday against AC Milan at New York’s Yankee Stadium, with other matches next week against Barcelona at Orlando and Chelsea in Columbus, Ohio.
Celtic will face Chelsea on Saturday in South Bend, Indiana.
A student’s journey from devotion to passion in design
Raudah, the garden of paradise within An Nabawi Mosque, is a place every pilgrim dreams of visiting upon arriving in Madinah.
Directly mentioned by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Raudah holds a special place in the hearts of the faithful.
For local university student Nur Adriana Batrisyia binti Haji Sahbrudin, this dream became an unforgettable reality during one umrah trip.
As she approached the Raudah, Nur Adriana found herself enveloped by a sea of pilgrims. The sheer number of people made finding a space to pray a daunting task.
“We had to incorporate tawakkul and pray at whatever spot we found,” she recounted. “Oddly, during that time, I felt a profound peace,” she said.
It was only after her prayers that Nur Adriana noticed three women standing in front of her, holding hands. She realised these fellow pilgrims had formed a protective shield around her, allowing her to pray undisturbed.
“There are Muslims from all walks of life visiting Raudah. I couldn’t tell you their nationalities, but they were protecting me,” she shared, her voice filled with gratitude.
As she embraced her guardians, offering them her gratitude, one of them whispered, “See you in Jannah.”
The simplicity and beauty of the experience was so impactful that it inspired one of her uniquely designed hijabs, aptly named ‘Eternal Gardens’.
Nur Adriana Batrisyia binti Haji Sahbrudin. PHOTO: IZAH AZAHARI
Faith and florals
Nur Adriana’s journey into fashion is deeply intertwined with her faith. Her passion for berdakwah (preaching) – embracing and inviting people to Islam – shines through in her designs.
During an exhibition showcasing her final year project, the professional design and visual communication student presented four hijabs, each with its own powerful spiritual background.
Aspiring to expand this project into her own business, Nur Adriana’s hijab motifs prominently feature floral patterns and roses, symbols rich with meaning in Islam. “My idea is to create hijabs that tell the story of the beauty of Islam,” she shared. She explained that the decision to use fashion as a means to share and spread the message of Islam was made early on in her studies.
“By the second year of college, I had set my intention and mindset: to design not only to please others but also to please Allah the Almighty, which is why I prioritise meaningful design,” she explained.
Her hijab design, ‘Whispers of Faith’ refers to tahajjud, a blessed prayer.
The design includes a single rose, symbolising oneself, and multiple roses, representing the idea that while we cannot visualise Allah the Almighty, we can visualise His trust, planning, and blessings.
Nur Adriana’s designs as part of her final year project. PHOTO: IZAH AZAHARI
She also designed a hijab dedicated to Palestine and its people, especially its children. This design features poppy flowers surrounded by baby’s breath, a keffiyeh pattern, and a hidden watermelon, symbolising the resilience and hope of the Palestinian people.
Ultimately, for Nur Adriana, each hijab tells a meaningful story of faith that not only enchants with its beauty but also imparts profound knowledge.
Driven by a commitment to introduce good practices in design, she aims to create pieces that benefit people, convey wisdom, and hold moral value.
This is most evident in her original hijab design, ‘Ahroses’, which also serves as the name of her brand.
This design embraces the femininity of a Muslimah, highlighted by motifs of roses and bows.
“Historically, the headscarf exists in many forms across various cultures, not just in Islam. ‘Ahroses’ symbolises all female souls, connected by roses and ribbons,” she said.
“It is said that during the Prophet’s death, his grave smelled of roses, and people have mentioned that when the Kaabah is opened, it also smells of roses,” she added.
“My purpose in life is to worship and serve Allah the Almighty, seek knowledge, serve humanity, and prepare for the hereafter,” she said. – WARDI WASIL
