Rokiah Mahmud
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 and Chancellor of Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) awarded certificates to 354 graduates at the 11th Hafl Al-Takharruj (convocation ceremony) at the Plenary Hall of the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas yesterday.
Accompanying His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince (Dr) Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, the Pro-Chancellor of UNISSA.
Upon arrival, His Majesty and His Royal Highness were greeted by Minister of Education Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sulaiman in his capacity as the Chairman of UNISSA’s Council, and UNISSA Rector Dr Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal.
The ceremony commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned.
His Majesty and His Royal Highness entered the hall led by the mace of the convocation featuring UNISSA’s handwritten Mushaf Al-Quran, followed by Selawat and Qasidah (Dikir) Ahlan Bikum Sultana performance and the singing of the national anthem.
The ceremony continued with the recitation of verses 10-13 of Surah Saba by a Bachelor of Usuluddin (Tahfiz and Qira’at) graduate and Special Degree in Hafaz Al-Quran 30 Juzuk recipient Muhammad Yusrun bin Haji Jahari.
The Hadith was delivered by Bachelor of Usuluddin (Tafsir and Hadith) graduate Ahmad Shafie bin Haji Mohd Adnan. Interpretation of Al-Quran and Hadith was recited by Bachelor of Syariah Law graduate Mohammad Rif’At Atiyah bin Anwari.
Dr Haji Norarfan delivered his welcoming speech and later announced the recipients for UNISSA’s Medal and Book Prizes Award as well as contributors for the 11th Hafl Al-Takharruj.
His Majesty then delivered a titah and awarded certificates to eight PhD graduates; 62 Master’s Degree graduates; 11 Diploma in Islamic Law and Syar’ie Law graduates; three Postgraduate Diploma graduates; 234 Bachelor’s Degree graduates; and 26 Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates. A total of 10 graduates received their certificates in the Special Degree for Hafaz Al-Quran 30 Juzuk.
From the total, 33 comprised international students from countries including Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Morocco, Burkina Faso, Yemen and Sri Lanka. In marking the memories, this year, UNISSA distributed coupons for small-sized UNISSA’s Mushaf.
The project for the handwritten UNISSA’s Mushaf Al-Quran began in October 2011 officiated by His Majesty in a ceremony to mark the start of the project and the launching of the first Mahrajan Hafl Al-Takharruj (convocation festival) of the university.
At the ceremony, His Majesty graced the writing of Basmalah, the first verse of Surah Al-Fatihah. The handwritten UNISSA’s Mushaf project was then subsequently continued by local writers comprising the university’s academics.
One of UNISSA’s missions is to produce pious and excellent leaders who can contribute to the development of the Ummah through academic excellence, research and community services.
It is hoped that the graduates will continue to serve the community with taqwa, leadership, integrity and excellence. UNISSA’s progress will be more prominent after the completion of its permanent campus in Mukim Labu, Temburong District, which will also boost UNISSA’s reputation and help realise the country’s hope to become a hub for higher Islamic education in the region.
