Lyna Mohamad
The Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam Mosque (male) and Kampong Bang Dalam Mosque Tutong (female) Dikir groups emerged champions of the Dikir Brunei and Dikir Syarafil Anam Competition for mosque officers, mosque Takmir committees and mosque congregrants.
Host Mohamed Bolkiah Mosque Kampong Serusop was placed second in the male category and third was the Sufri Bolkiah Mosque Kampong Burung Pingai Berakas.
In the female category, Kampong Mentiri Mosque was the runner up and Muhammad Jamalul Alam Mosque, Kuala Belait came in third place.
The competition marking the Maulidur Rasul 1442 Hijrah celebration was organised by the Imarah Division, Mosque Affairs Department in collaboration with Mohamed Bolkiah Mosque Takmir Committee members, Kampong Serusop as the event host.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Imam of Mohamed Bolkiah Mosque Abdul Razak bin Haji Samad followed by a speech by Acting Director of Mosque Affairs Haji Amir Hisham bin Haji Masri in his capacity as the chairperson of the ceremony.
The announcement of the winners was made earlier in the morning by chairperson of the panel of judges Haji Muslim bin Haji Abdul Razak.
Champions in the male category also performed their Dikir prior to the prize presentation in the afternoon.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) Haji Mohammad Rosli bin Haji Ibrahim, and guest of honour, presented the prizes to winners.
Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Ali bin Pengiran Maon and Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary at the MoRA Pengiran Anak Dr Haji Amiruddin Alam Shah bin Pengiran Anak Haji Ismail, as well as senior officers and staff at MoRA were also present.
The competition aimed to provide guidance as well as the opportunity for participants to learn the correct technique of performing Dikir.
It also hoped to encourage participants to continuously recite Selawat to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and receive blessings while enlivening the Maulidur Rasul celebration.