| Aziz Idris |
OVER 300 individuals with different abilities (OKU) from nine local associations played their part in enlivening Ramadhan by participating in a Khatam Al-Quran ceremony at the Digadong Hall of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) yesterday.
The guest of honour Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin and his spouse were present.
The ceremony was organised by the Council for the Welfare of Persons with Different Abilities (MKOKU).
Representatives from Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam; Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER) Brunei; Paraplegic and Physically Disabled Association (PAPDA); National Association for the Hearing-Impaired (OKP); Brunei Darussalam National Association of the Blind (BDNAB); Special Olympics Brunei Darussalam (SOBD); Centre for Children with Special Needs (KACA); and Brunei Down Syndrome Association (ABLE) were also present.
The event commenced with a recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by the guest of honour and recitation of Al-Quran verses. The recitation of Takhtim was led by Ustaz Sanif bin Haji Tarip from Pusat Ehsan.
The ceremony aimed at encouraging the participants to uphold and apply Islamic Syiar teachings in their daily life by getting them to appreciate Al-Quran.
It was also meant to further develop Islamic knowledge among the OKU, as well as to encourage their involvement in religious activities, strengthen their faith in the religion, and enable them to face challenges that lie ahead.
The OKU participants were presented with bunga telur as tokens of appreciation by the guest of honour, while association leaders received certificates.