Tanah Jambu- A national level al-Quran reading competition for the youth is organised by the Youth and Sports Department, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
The competition aims to select the country's representative to the Asian level "Musabaqah Tilawah Al-Quran Belia Kebangsaan".
The final competition will be held Aug 20 at the Youth Development Centre, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, at the Muara-Tutong Highway in Kg Tanah Jambu.
The head of Youth and Sports Department of Brunei-Muara District branch, Haji Mohd Zali said the competition is in response to His Majesty's titah during the al-Quran Reading Competition for Adults in 1996.
Secondly, he said it is to enhance the Quran reading quality among youths and at the same time act as an early preparation to select the country's representatives in the Asian level competition.
Fourthly, the competition aims to foster and instil the spirit of friendship among the youths through religious programmes and activities.
The competition is open to Brunei citizens and permanent residents. Participants must be 17 to 22 years old and born between 1986 and 1991. Eligible for the contest are those who had never competed in the final of any national, regional and international levels.
The preliminary round will be conducted by Youth and Sports Department branch at the district level. Participants who score 75 per cent marks and above are qualified to compete in the national level quarterfinal competition.
Ten winners in the men and women categories will compete in the semi-final, to be held at the different districts.
The top four winners in both categories will compete at the national level final on Aug 20.
The male and female winners will each receive the challenge trophy donated by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, a trophy, certificate of appreciation and $2,000 cash. The second place winners will receive a trophy, a certificate of appreciation and $1500.
The third place winners will receive a trophy, a certificate of appreciation and $1,000 cash. The consolation prize winners will receive $500 each in both categories.
The Youth and Sports Department organises various religious activities for the participation of the youth.
Haji Mohd Zali said the number of participants in the annual competition has increased from time to time.
The Brunei-Muara District has received 40 youth entries for the preliminary round. Other districts, he said, have also received encouraging responses to join the competition.
Source: http://www.brunei-online.com (14 Agustus 2008)