BY Lyna Mohamad

A group of 63 Youth Al-Quran Reading Scheme (STAR) Brunei Darussalam students comprising 29 males and 34 females learnt that disability is not a barrier or excuse for not being able to memorise Al-Quran. A sharing session with an Al-Hafiz and Al-Hafizah from Indonesia – both with different abilities – was held at the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Arabic School Auditorium Hall in Kampong Rimba on Friday.

It was organised by the Islamic Studies Department (JPI) through the Tilawah Al-Quran and Dikir Unit, Advance Education Section.

JPI Acting Assistant Director Professional Pengiran Abdul Razak bin Pengiran Haji Metahir presented souvenirs to Al-Hafiz Muhammad Naja Hudia Afifurrahman Agusfian and Al-Hafizah Nur Syahwa Syakhila Muhammad Sabhan.

The ceremony began with the recitation of Sayyidul Istighfar and Surah Al-Fatihah followed by the sharing of Al-Hafiz and Al-Hafizah’s profiles.

Muhammad Naja or Naja was born with Cerebral Palsy, while Nur Syahwa or Kayla was born with visual impairment. Despite their disabilities, both have been rewarded by Allah the Almighty the ability to memorise Al-Quran where Kayla memorised 30 Juzuks of Al-Quran when she was 10.

Meanwhile, Naja memorised 30 Juzuks of Al-Quran within 10 months, able to memorise each page, Surah name, verse number, and sequence in the holy book well. He also memorised the meaning of the entire Al-Quran when he was 10 years old, memorised about 1,000 Hadiths from the Kitab al-Jamik Bainasshahihain and have been awarded as the Champion of the Tilawah Quran Scheme, Kota Mataram, Indonesia.

The STAR students also had the opportunity to test the Hafazan capabilities of both Al-Hafiz and Al-Hafizah where both were able to identify the name of the Surah, number of Juzuk, page, and excerpts of verses from Al-Quran.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin