| Abdul Hakiim Yakof |
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 8th Southeast Asian Youth Al-Quran Reading Competition finals at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas last night.
The monarch was accompanied by 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 Haji Jefri Bolkiah.
They were received on arrival by Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in his capacity as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the competition; Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Mohamad Roselan bin Haji Mohamad Daud, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar, Deputy Minister of Education; and Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.
The event began with a recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by the State Mufti and welcoming remarks from the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.
His Majesty then delivered a titah, followed by the announcement of results of the 8th Southeast Asian Youth Al-Quran Reading Competition, by Haji Abdul Rajid bin Haji Mohd Salleh, Acting Director of the Islamic Da’wah Centre, Ministry of Religious Affairs, in his capacity as the chairman of judges.
Ahmad Zulwaqar bin Suhaili and Dayangku Amal Zahirah binti Pengiran Haji Jofri, from Brunei Darussalam emerged as the Qari and Qariah champions of the competition.
The male category saw Ilham Mahmuddin Murdan from Indonesia in second place and Muhammad Qayyim Nizar bin Sarimi from Malaysia in third.
In the female category, Nurjannah Yosef Piliang from Indonesia emerged as the runner-up and Siti Syahirah binti Isa from Malaysia the second runner-up.
The video of the holy Quran recitation footage of Qari and Qariah on the first and second nights were shown that evening.
His Majesty then presented the champions and the rest of the participants with their prizes and tokens of appreciation. The event concluded with a Doa Selamat read by the State Mufti.
The competition is a project of His Majesty’s Government, which has been held every two years since 2000. Invitations are extended to Muslim youths between the ages of 18 to 30 from countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand, with Brunei Darussalam as the host.
Twenty-one Qaris and Qariahs took part in the competition and for the first time this year, Brunei invited Timor Leste.
Meanwhile, the Qari champion, Ahmad Zulwaqar, a 26-year-old Al-Azhar University graduate, said that the victory was unexpected as he competed alongside champions in international competitions. “I would like to dedicate my achievement to my late father, Haji Suhaili bin Haji Matzin, as he encouraged me since I was little to explore the knowledge of Tarannum Al-Quran,” he said.
He said he got more involved in Tarannum at the age of 12 under the guidance of his late father, who gave him much exposure that shaped him into the Qari that he has become today. He added that the recitation workshops organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports helped him prepare for the competition.
He said he now plans to improve on his weaknesses and master Tarannum from experienced teachers.
Qariah champion, Dayangku Amal Zahirah, 20, a graduate of Kemuda Institute, said she is thankful to Allah the Almighty for being crowned the champion and that her achievement is also due to support from her parents.
“I never thought I would be champion as the other participants also performed well,” she said.
She said she has been active in Al-Quran reading competitions since she was eight and after winning this competition, she plans to take part in adult level competitions as well as international competitions in the future.
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