BY Adib Noor

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam graced the finals of the National Al-Quran Reading Competition for Adults for 1443 Hijrah/2022 at the International Convention Centre in Berakas on Thursday.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; and His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah were also present.

On arrival, His Majesty was greeted by Chief of Adat Istiadat Negara Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris bin Pengiran Maharaja Lela Pengiran Muda Abdul Kahar as co-advisor of the Executive Committee for Major Islamic Calendar Events for 1443 Hijrah; Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman as chairman of the competition’s executive committee; State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned; Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd Tashim bin Pengiran Haji Hassan; and Chief Syar’ie Judge Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar.

The event began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, led by the State Mufti, followed by a welcoming speech from the Minister of Religious Affairs, during which he said the competition’s theme, Bertemankan Al-Quran Sepanjang Zaman (Companionship with Al-Quran Throughout the Ages), underscored the importance of the holy book and the benefits from understanding and embracing its teachings.

This was followed by a titah from His Majesty.

Muhammad Zul-Hafiz bin Tengah was named champion of the Qari category while Mohammad bin Ali and Haji Nasrul Fakhri bin Haji Yahya were first and second runners-up.

Dayangku Fauziah Nadhirah binti Pengiran Haji Jofri was named champion of the Qariah category while Hajah Nurfaezah binti Haji Emran and Siti Zahrina binti Haji Abdul Wahab came in second and third.

The Qari and Qariah champions each received BND7,000 and a haj package (for first-time champions). They also received BND1,500 Tekad Haji Account sponsored by Perbadanan Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei (Perbadanan TAIB), Insurans Islam TAIB Holdings Sdn Bhd (IITHSB) and Darussalam Holdings Sdn Bhd (DHSB) as well as kain tenunan from Syarikat Little Ummi.

The first runners-up each received BND5,000 and Tekad Haji Account of BND1,000 from Perbadanan TAIB, IITHSB and DHSB while second runners-up brought home BND3,000 and Tekad Haji Account worth BND700 courtesy of Perbadanan TAIB, IITHSB and DHSB.

The prizes were presented by His Majesty.

The event featured performances from Hafiz and Hafizah from Indonesia – Muhammad Naja Hudia Afifurrahman Agusfian and Nur Syahwa Syakhila Muhammad Sabhan. One was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and the other visually-impaired.

The night concluded with Doa Selamat, read by the State Mufti.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin