Sultan awards winners of National Al-Quran Reading Competition By Azrol Azmi & Zaim Zaini Photo: Info Dept His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to attend and present the prizes to the winners of the National Al-Quran Reading Competition Adult Division 2007, at the Plenary Hall of the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas, last night. Accompanying His Majesty were HRH Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik. His Majesty was greeted on arrival by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Awg Mohd Zain, who was also the chairman of the executive committee of the National Al-Quran Reading Competition Adult Division 2007. The event began with a recital of the Surah Al-Quran by Awg Md Fikri bin Hj Metussin, who finished second in the 2007 Southeast Asia Youth Musabaqah Tilawah Al-Quran. The recital was followed by a translation of the Surah, narrated by Awg Hj Badaruddin bin Hj Besar, Education Officer at the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The Minister of Religious Affairs then presented the welcoming remarks in which he said, "Eight Qari and Qariah have recited last night. Six of them were participants that gained the highest marks from the semifinal level, while the other two participants - a Qari and a Qariah - were champions of last year's competition." His Majesty then delivered his titah. That was followed with the announcement of the winners of the competition by the chairman of the judges, Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Awg Salim, Syariah High Court Judge. Awg Hj Ismail bin Hj Sulaiman emerged as the champion in the male category (Qari), walking away with a Haj Pilgrimage package worth B$7,500 sponsored by Darussalam Holding, trophies and a $5,000 cash prize. The second place in the Qari category went to Awg Muhd Fahmi bin Hj Awg Metussin, who won himself a return air ticket to Kuala Lumpur sponsored by RBA, a trophy and a cash prize of $3,000. Ak Md Adibul Amin bin Pg Hj Marjuki meanwhile won the third place in the Qari category. He took home a return air ticket to Kuala Lumpur, a trophy and a B$2,000 cash prize. Dyg Nurfaezah bte Hj Emran emerged as champion in the Qariah category, winning herself a Haj Pilgrimage package worth B$7,500 sponsored by Darussalam Holding, trophies and a cash prize of $5,000. The second placed Qariah winner was Dyg Norezah bte Hj Md Deli. She took home a return air ticket to KL sponsored by RBA, a trophy and a $3,000 cash prize. The third place went to Dyg Hjh Nurul Akmalina bte Hj Yahya, who won herself a return air ticket to KL sponsored by RBA, a trophy and $2,000 cash. Consolation prizes of B$1,000 meanwhile went to Awg Md Zul-Hafiz bin Awg Tengah and Dyg Hjh Maidah bte Hj Abd Rahman. Certificates of participation were also presented to all eight Qari and Qariah. Both the Qari and Qariah Champions then performed a recital of the Surah Al-Quran. The event continued with a recital of the Surah Al-Israa followed by the recital of Surah Al-Israa verse 9 to17 by Ustaz Hussein Saeid Rostami Tabrizy from Iran, Champion Qari of the 48th International Tilawah Al-Quran that was held in Kuala Lumpur recently. Last night's event concluded with a 'doa selamat' which was read by Pehin Orang Kaya Dato Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti. The theme of this year's competition was "Memperkasa Iltizam Kehidupan Berugama". The competition was organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. - Borneo Bulletin (25th May 2007)