Royalty at Quran reading competition
By Azaraimy HH

HRH Princess Hajah Noor Ehsani bte Almarhum Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin yesterday consented to attend a prize presentation ceremony for the 2007 Persatuan Pertiwi Quran Reading Competition at the Royal Berkshire Hall, Jerudong Polo & Country Club.

Datin Paduka Hajah Zaharah bte Haji Idris, in her welcoming speech, said that the competition is a bi-annual activity held by Persatuan Pertiwi, which started in the 1990s. Its aim is to encourage the association's members to be close to the Quran and to follow its teachings. The competition also aims to create stronger ties between the association's members for the development of women in general, she added.

This year, she said, the competition was held with a difference. The competition this year involved members of all ages, dividing the competition into three categories: Category A (for members aged 18-35 years), Category B (for members aged 36-50 years) and Category C (for members aged 51 years and above).

Datin Paduka Hajah Zaharah bte Haji Idris also added that each district held its own district-level competition. Winners from the Belait, Tutong and Temburong districts and the winner and first runner-up from the Brunei-Muara District competed on July 20 to be the champion of this year's competition.

In Category A, the winner was Nurul Hidayah bte Hamdan from the Brunei-Muara District, followed by the first runner-up, Hajah Norasidah bte Hj Ramlee from the Brunei-Muara District, and the second runner-up, Norapizah bte Zalani from Belait District.

In Category B, the winner was Jamaliah bte Hj Pudin from the Tutong District, followed by the first runner-up, Rapiah bte Hj Tuah from the Belait District, and the second runner-up, Hajah Siti Animi bte Hj Salleh from the Brunei-Muara District.

In Category C, the winner was Hajah Dayang bte Jais from the Tutong District, followed by the first runner-up, Dayang Hjh Sapiah bte A M Yusof from the Brunei-Muara District, and the second runner-up, Datin Hajah Latifah bte Hj Yaakub from the Brunei-Muara District.

HRH Princess Hajah Noor Ehsani presented the prizes to the winners.

The ceremony also saw winners from each category performing Quran readings, while association members from the Tutong District showcased their skills in Nasyid performances. Members from the Brunei-Muara District also performed Qasidah. - Borneo Bulletin (6th August 2007)


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