BY Rokiah Mahmud

His Royal Highness Prince (Dr) Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office graced the 10th Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (ITQSHHB) Haflut Takharruj (Convocation Ceremony) at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas on Wednesday.

His Royal Highness Prince (Dr) Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik.

Their Royal Highnesses were greeted on arrival by Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman as the Patron of the 10th Haflut Takharruj Executive Committee; State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned as the Executive Committee Advisor; Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd Tashim bin Pengiran Haji Hassan as Chairman of the Executive Committee as well as the executive committee and working committee members of the 10th Haflut Takharruj.

The ceremony commenced with the recitation of Surah A’basa by Ahmad Ridhwan Azzawani bin Haji Zainul Ariffin, followed by the interpretation of the verses read by Mohd Afif Fikri bin Haji Abu Bakar.

The minister said that in the 13 years the ‘Aliyah Qira’at Diploma has been awarded by the institute, there have been 193 graduates, with most pursuing studies at the degree level at local and foreign higher learning institutions.

“Alhamdulillah, they have not only blessed the country with their Al-Quran memorisation, but also contributed their services in the government and private sectors.

“There are many youth who have achieved academic excellence. Insya Allah, they will have the opportunity to be experts in various fields including religious education,” the minister said.

“They are part of the citizens helping to achieve Brunei Vision 2035, who are highly educated and skilled. The education that they have attained is in line with the country’s vision,” he added.

Following a sabda, a special religious talk, ‘Keagungan Peranan Al-Quran’ or ‘The Greatness of the Role of Al-Quran’, was delivered by Mosque Affairs Officer of Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Pengiran Haji Ahmad Faris Ramadhani bin Pengiran Haji Sellahuddin.

He said those who read Al-Quran receive blessings from Allah the Almighty, enlightening their lives and keeping them on the right path.

His Royal Highness Prince (Dr) Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah presented the ‘Aliyah Qira’at Diploma certificates to 19 graduates comprising 16 male and three females.

From the total figure, 12 were graded Mumtaz (excellent), five Jayyid Jiddan (very good) and two Jayyid (good).

The awarding of ‘Aliyah Qira’at Diploma to ITQSHHB graduates served to acknowledge their achievements and success, particularly in the fields of Al-Quran memorisation and Qira’at knowledge.

The event concluded with the recitation of Doa Selamat by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin