From 2010 to 2024, 243 graduates of the Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (ITQSHHB) completed their studies under the Diploma ‘Aliyah Qiraat programme, equivalent to the National Diploma (ND). Last year, the institute introduced a Higher Diploma in Qiraat, equivalent to a Higher National Diploma (HND).
This was shared by the Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, during a symposium celebrating 30 years of Tahfiz Al-Quran education in Brunei Darussalam on Thursday. He highlighted that the majority of the graduates, 232 individuals, passed the tasme’ test for memorising the Al-Quran for the first time in 2024. Among them, 75 memorised 30 Juzuk, 33 memorised 20 Juzuk, and 124 memorised 10 Juzuk.
“All of them have been awarded a monthly allowance under the Al-Quran Memorisation Incentive Scheme, coordinated by the Centre of Al-Quran Study and Dissemination, MABIMS under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, according to their respective categories,” noted the Minister.
The Minister praised these graduates for their contributions to both the public and private sectors, including the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, demonstrating the success and effectiveness of the Tahfiz Al-Quran education structure. This structure integrates religious secondary-level subjects for the Brunei Religious Education Certificate (SPUB) and Brunei Religious Education Higher Certificate (STPUB) with secondary-level subjects for the ‘O’ and ‘A’ Level certificates in the national education system. This alignment supports ITQSHHB’s objective of making memorising Al-Quran an advantage for students pursuing higher education in theology or science and technology fields.
In commemoration of 30 years of Tahfiz Al-Quran education in Brunei Darussalam, the Minister highlighted the institute’s international recognition as an exemplary Ma’had Tahfiz Al-Quran Al-Karim ten years ago from the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud International Award. This recognition values the system, quality of education, and contributions to society in the Sultanate, and it is crucial for evaluating ongoing efforts to further develop ITQSHHB, fulfilling the noble intentions decreed by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
The symposium is one of the main events to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of ITQSHHB.
The opening ceremony of the symposium was held at the Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (Balai Khazanah Islam). Following keynote presentations, a question and answer session was held. – ROKIAH MAHMUD
