Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, particularly its ‘Aliyah Qira’at Diploma programme, needs to expand its role and actively seek opportunities to spread Al-Quran studies as a noble daily practice among Bruneians centred on the Malay Islamic Monarchy philosophy and Zikir Nation aspiration.
His Royal Highness Prince (Dr) 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, said these in a sabda during the presentation of ‘Aliyah Qira’at Diploma to 28 students at the International Convention Centre yesterday.
His Royal Highness said initiatives utilising collaborative efforts such as social media to empower Al-Quran studies will attract interests of every age group with development and access to information and communication technology (ICT).
“The institute, as an excellent Al-Quran study and memorisation institution, must be ready to strengthen research and coordinate methods to improve Al-Quran memorisation,” said His Royal Highness, adding that the efforts are aimed at receiving blessings from Allah the Almighty.
This in line with 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’s titah at the Nuzul Al-Quran celebration for 1436 Hijrah which highlighted that strong faith is one way to obtain blessings.
Strong faith is important to a community’s success alongside Al-Quran reading, memorisation and believing its teachings. The faithful is characterised by total belief and obedience to the commands of Allah the Almighty. Thus, reading and memorising Al-Quran will be a cure and blessing for the faithful.
His Royal Highness called on graduates, students and alumni of the institute to memorise Al-Quran and appreciate its content to fulfil His Majesty’s wish of building strong faith, leading to the rise of a pious and faithful society.
His Royal Highness also expressed gratitude and pride for the 30-year-old institute’s achievements in meeting His Majesty’s goal of producing professionals to meet the demand of holistic development and progress.
His Royal Highness said the institute not only produces students focused on Al-Quran memorisation but also provides a solid foundation for other academic and professional pursuits, adding that the graduates move on to find success in finance, medicine, aviation, engineering, military and entrepreneurship contributing to the nation’s development.
His Royal Highness noted that the ’Aliyah Qira’at Diploma programme is in its 13th year and has produced 221 graduates. Eleven of them are currently serving at the institute as Al-Quran memorisation teachers as well as religious and education officers. Ninety graduates are currently studying at tertiary level, both locally and abroad.
His Royal Highness also presented ‘Aliyah Qira’at diploma to the graduates.
Accompanying His Royal Highness was His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik.
The event also saw a religious talk on ‘Embracing Al-Quran in Life’.
Meanwhile, Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman said the institute was established in accordance to a titah as Fardhu Kifayah (collective obligation) for Muslims in the country to have facilities to produce huffaz (Al-Quran memoriser) in a systematic way.
The minister said the institute has grown to provide the highest diploma level with its ‘Aliyah Qira’at Diploma programme within 20 years of establishment. In the programme’s 10 years, over 200 graduates were produced including the 28 feted yesterday. – Azlan Othman
