Badar Seri Begawan - His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam graced the national level Nuzul Al-Quran Celebration for 1429 Hijrah last night at the International Convention Centre, in Berakas.
The annual celebration to commemorate the revelation of Al-Quran last night is one of the major highlights of the holy month of Ramadhan in the Sultanate. The main highlight of the evening was the announcement and presentation of prizes to winners of this year‘s Hafaz (memorisation) Al-Quran with Understanding Competition in conjunction with the Nuzul Al-Quran of 1429 Hijrah.
Accompanying His Majesty to the event were HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister‘s Office, HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik and HRH Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
Also present were cabinet ministers, members of the Privy and Legislative councils, senior government officers, and envoys from the diplomatic corps as well as invited guests.
His Majesty and members of the royal family were greeted by Pehin Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Awang Mohd Zain bin Hj Serudin, Minister of Religious Affairs as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the event.
The Nuzul Al-Quran celebration began with the recital of Surah al-Fatihah led by Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abd Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti, which was followed by welcoming remarks from the Minister of Religious Affairs.
Pehin Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Awang Mohd Zain spoke about the hope that with the guidance and revelation of Al-Quran, as well as the blessed month of Ramadhan, Allah SWT would endow his grace upon the citizens and the residents of Brunei Darussalam and to the Muslim Ummah the world over.
The minister went on to highlight that as a way of improving the level of achievements of participants in this year‘s competition, few changes were made to the format of the competition in categories ‘C‘ and ‘D‘ in the total number of chapters that had to be memorised from Al-Quran.
In category ‘C‘, an extra chapter was added into the total number of chapters, in which the participants had to memorise chapters 1 to 12 and were tested on their understanding of chapter 2.
The same format was followed for category ‘D‘, but the participants were tested on their understanding of chapter 13.
For categories ‘A‘ and ‘B‘, only a few additions were made to the verses that were deemed appropriate for the competitors‘ age levels.
The ceremony then continued with a special religious talk entitled "The nation‘s youth with morals from Al-Quran are the hope of the future", which was presented by Ustazah Dyg Hajah Noor bte Hj Mohadi.
This was followed by the announcement of winners of this year‘s Hafaz Al-Quran Competition, which had been held on August 28. The winners were announced by Awg Mohd Hashim bin Hj Abdullah as chairperson of the panel of judges.
He said that this year‘s performance of achievements sees marked improvement.
The winners in category ‘A‘ were Awg Abdul Matin bin Hj Abdul Rahman, while Awg Ahmad Rusydy bin Hj Mohd Salleh came in second place and Dyg Nur Aliyah Syazwani bte Hj Maidin in third.
The top prize was $1,500 cash prize, a personal computer, trophy and certificate. The second prize consisted of $1,000, a trophy and certificate, whilst third prize was $720, a trophy and certificate. The cash prizes were contributed by Brunei Shell, Brunei LNG and Shell Tankers Sdn Bhd.
In category ‘B‘, the winner was Dyg Alia Ajeeratul Marhain @ Ajerah bte Omar, Dyg Nurhamizah bte Jasni came in second and third was Dyg Munijiah bte Hj Jahari.
The winner received $2,000 cash prize, a personal computer, trophy and certificate. The runner up received $1,500, a trophy with certificate and third place won $1,200 as well as a trophy and certificate. The cash prizes were again contributed by Brunei Shell, Brunei LNG and Shell Tankers Sdn Bhd.
In category ‘C‘, the top spot went to Awg Mohd Huzailan bin Hj Kasim, whilst Dyg Nor Asilah bte Hj Awg Puting grabbed second place and third went to Awg Mohd Abu Hurairah bin Arifin.
The winner won $2,800 cash prize, a laptop computer, trophy and certificate. The prize for second place was $2,000, trophy and certificate and third prize was $1,500, trophy and certificate. In this category, the cash prizes were contributed by Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam.
In category ‘D‘, with only two competitors, the champion was Awg Mohd Khairul Anuar bin Ahmad and second place went to Ak Khairul Ikhwan bin Pengiran Alit.
After the prize-giving presentation, the event saw Quranic recitals by the winners of this year‘s Hafaz Al-Quran competition.
To conclude the ceremony, a doa selamat was read by Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Awang Abd Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti. By Azaraimy HH
Source: http://www.brunei-online.com (September 18, 2008)