Bandar Seri Begawan - One of the major events in Universiti Brunei Darussalam‘s annual convocations is the Khatam al-Quran, which for this year was held for 409 of its muslim undergraduates.
Some 115 men and 294 women new graduates took part in the event, which was held along with a thanksgiving ceremony and witnessed by their proud family members.
From August 2006, the beginning of the first semester of their last year in UBD, the group convened in the UBD Mosque regularly once a week to read the al-Quran in groups.
Leading these groups as support and guides for those less fluent in reciting the Holy Book, were mainly undergraduates from the Sultan Hj Omar Ali Saifuddein Islamic Teaching Institute (IPISHOAS), who were more than happy to lend a helping hand to their colleagues.
Several undergraduates from other faculties such as the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Education (SHBIE) and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) also took on the noble role. Apart from completing the recitation of the al-Quran, their attendance was also taken into consideration towards their participation in the Khatam al-Quran ceremony.
Undergraduates were required to have more than 80 per cent attendance to qualify.
The guest of honour at the ceremony was the Deputy Minister of Education, Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad Pg Hj Abdul Rahman. He started the event by leading the congregation in the recitation of the Surah al-Fatihah.
Among other guests were the Vice Chancellor of UBD, Dato Paduka Dr Awang Hj Ismail Hj Duraman and the Dean of IPISHOAS, Professor Madya Dr Hj Mohamad @ Md Som Sujimon, who welcomed those attending the ceremony in his opening remarks.
After the Takhtim and Doa Khatam, the Deputy Minister of Education presented the participants with their Khatam al-Quran certificates.
Source: www.bruneitimes.com (8 September 2007)