Indonesians win Qari and Qariah titles By Zaim Zaini, Amin Hosni and Azrol Azmi Photo: Info Dept His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to attend and present prizes at the 4th Southeast Asian Youth Al-Quran Reading Competition last night at the International Convention Centre, Berakas. Accompanying His Majesty were HRH 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 'Abdul Mateen. The royal entourage was greeted by Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Awang Haji Muhammad Bin Haji Daud, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports. The event began with a mass recital of the Surah Al-Fatihah led by Pehin Datu Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz Bin Juned, State Mufti. This was followed by welcoming remarks by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in his capacity as chairman of the executive committee of the event. He said, "A total of 17 participants, eight Qari and nine Qariah, from nine Asean countries, including Brunei Darussalam, are taking part in the competition". Last night's event witnessed M Rokhani from the Republic of Indonesia emerge as the Qari champion, while Awg Muhammad Fikri bin Awg Metussin was 1st runner-up and Awg Zulhafiz bin Awg Tengeh was 2nd runner-up, both from Brunei Darussalam. For Qariah, Robiyah Al Adawiyah from the Republic of Indonesia was Qariah champion, while Ms Monaifah Amen Alawi from the Republic of the Philippines was 1st runner-up and Dyg Norfaezah binti Haji Emran from Brunei Darussalam was 2nd runner-up. This was followed by a Quran recital by the Qari champion and Qariah champion of the Southeast Asian Youth Al-Quran Reading Competition. The three-day event was aimed at promoting and enhancing ties between youths in Asean, and raising the quality of al-Quran recital among the youths in Asean. More than 1500 people watched the event. The champion received a trophy from His Majesty, prizes, Mushaf Negara Brunei Darussalam, certificate of participation and B$4,000 cash. The runner-up received prizes, Mushaf Negara Brunei Darussalam, certificate of participation and B$3,000. The third place winner received prizes, Mushaf Negara Brunei Darussalam, certificate of participation and B$2,000. The other participants received souvenirs, Mushaf Negara Brunei Darussalam, certificates of participation and B$700 each. - Borneo Bulletin (14th April 2007)