Mohammad Kafil Ifwat bin Ariffin Zainal was the winner of the literary competition for an article about Oman, organised by Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) through the Faculty of Arabic Language in collaboration with the Embassy of Oman in Brunei Darussalam.
Ambassador of Oman to Brunei Darussalam Erma Said Mohamed Al Kathiry presented the prize and certificate to Mohammad Kafil Ifwat at the university’s auditorium.
Meanwhile, Abdul Rashid bin Haji Zaini, Syahirah @ Syakirah and Nurul Muhassanah received consolation prizes.
Dean of the Faculty of the Arabic Language Dr Hajah Rafidah binti Haji Abdullah said the competition was open to the faculty’s students who had completed the intensive Arabic Language course for Non-Native Speakers at the Sultan Qaboos Institute for Teaching Arabic Language to Non-Native Speakers from January 15 to March 9.
“The collaboration proved to be a success in enhancing Arabic language proficiency among our students. We hope that similar collaborations will continue into the future,” she said.
Meanwhile, the ambassador said, “Given the importance of promoting and nurturing linguistic creativity in Arabic language education, we are pleased to co-host this event.
“These students, who studied for eight weeks at the Sultan Qaboos Institute for Teaching Arabic Language to Non-Native Speakers, had the opportunity to express their love for the Arabic language and Omani culture through beautiful and diverse forms of expression.
“This initiative aimed to unlock avenues of expression for them and to allow them to appreciate the beauty of the Arabic language.”
She said that to nurture Bruneians’ fascination with the Arabic language and culture, the embassy coordinated seven batches of Bruneian students.
The students’ participation in the eight-week Arabic language programme was made possible through partial scholarships extended by the Government of Oman, she added. To date, 29 Bruneians have joined the programme.
Also present at the prize presentation was UNISSA Rector Dr Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal. – Rokiah Mahmud
