Lyna Mohamad & Aziz Idris
The 37 times Khatam Al-Quran Ceremony was held across the country in conjunction with the 37th National Day Celebration of Brunei Darussalam.
In Brunei-Muara District, the ceremony was conducted at Kampong Salambigar Mosque. Deputy Permanent Secretary (Youth and Sports) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Maiddin bin Pengiran Haji Said attended.
Members of the Legislative Council, permanent secretaries and deputy permanent secretaries at the MCYS, officials from the Brunei-Muara District Office and MCYS staff were also present.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by the guest of honour, followed by the recitation of Al-Quran verses from Surah Adh-Dhuhaa to Surah Al-Masad led by Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah students and proceeded with the recitation of Takhtim Al-Quran led by students from Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali and Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan.
Doa Khatam was recited by Qari Champion of the National Youth Musabaqah Tilawatil Al-Quran 2020 Awangku Adi Nazri bin Pengiran Haji Jofri followed by Dikir Marhaban led by National Service Programme (PKBN) trainees.
The ceremony ended with the recitation of Doa Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara Brunei Darussalam by the mosque affairs officer followed by a mass Zohor prayer.
In Tutong District, the religious ceremony was held at Haji Abdul ‘Azim Mosque, Kampong Luagan Dudok with an attendance of 300 people comprising members of the Legislative Council, youth associations and mosque Takmir committee members as well as officers and staff from public and private sectors in Tutong, penghulus, village heads, village consultative council members and students.
Present as the guest of honour was Commissioner of Police Dato Paduka Seri Haji Mohd Irwan bin Haji Hambali. Permanent Secretary (Administration, Finance and Estate) at the MCYS Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud also attended.
The guest of honour led the Khatam ceremony with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah while the recitations of Surah Adh-Dhuhaa to Surah Al-Masad were led by Muda Hashim Secondary School representatives Muhammad Shafiq Wafie bin Rahim and Muhd Azib Fakrullah bin Haji Mohd Nor.
Takhtim Al-Quran was led by Sufri Bolkiah Secondary School representative Nur Batrisya binti Dzul ‘Izzie Abi’ Rafdhyie while the Doa Khatam was read by Mosque Affairs Officer at the mosque Ziemey bin Haji Ahim.
The Dikir Marhaban was led by Department of Islamic Studies members and Doa Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara Brunei Darussalam was read by Head of Imam Kamarudin bin Mohammad Ali.
The event concluded with a mass Zohor prayer.
In Belait District, the ceremony took place at Zainab Mosque in Lumut.
Present as the guest of honour was Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Major General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sahat.
Legislative Council members Yang Berhormat Haji Abdul Hamid bin Haji Mumin and Yang Berhormat Hanapi bin Mohd Siput and Belait District Officer Ramlee bin Haji Jamudin attended.
Some 350 participants including students from secondary schools and IBTE Jefri Bolkiah Campus as well as PKBN trainees also joined the ceremony.
Meanwhile, in Temburong District, Permanent Secretary (Strategy and Policy Management) at the MCYS Pengiran Haji Mohd Hasnan bin Pengiran Haji Ali Hassan officiated the ceremony at the Utama Mohammad Salleh Mosque in Pekan Bangar.
Some 190 people attended the event comprising members of Temburong associations and mosques, secondary and Arabic school students and PKBN trainees.
The event held across the country attracted 1,200 participants.