HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam last night consented to grace the closing ceremony of the 6th Southeast Asian Youths Al-Quran Reading Competition 1435H/2013M and awarded trophies to the Qari and Qariah winners as well as the judges at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.

His Majesty also consented to deliver a titah.

Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, HRH Prince Hj Jefri Bolkiah and HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik.

The ceremony began with a recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by the State Mufti, Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned.

The event continued with welcoming remarks from the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Hazair bin Hj Abdullah, in his capacity as the Chairman of the Higher Committee for the 6th Southeast Asian Youths Al-Quran Reading Competition.

In his remarks, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Hazair said that His Majesty’s presence reflected the monarch’s confidence in the competition’s important role and vision of strengthening Islam, especially amongst Asean youths, through the recitation and appreciation of verses from the Quran.

“Through recitations, youths will be able to familiarise themselves and have interest to learn and appreciate the contents,” added the minister.

The winners of the competition were formally announced by Pg Hj Haslin bin Pg Hj Ali, Acting Principal of the Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in his capacity as the chair of the judging panel.

For the Qari category, Muhammad Zul Fadhli bin Abdul Razak of Singapore emerged as champion, followed by Indonesia’s Sidiq Mulyana and Brunei’s Ak Adi Nazri bin Pg Hj Jofri in second and third positions respectively.

Meanwhile, in the Qariah catergory, Indonesia’s Muzayanatul Millah binti Said emerged victorious, followed by Brunei’s Dk Fauziah Nadhirah binti Pg Hj Jofri and Malaysia’s Nur Faten Izzati binti Rablin in second and third positions.

The competition was initiated to provide a platform for youths to gain knowledge and teachings that are contained in the Al-Quran.

It also served to realise His Majesty’s titah during the 3rd Asean Leaders Summit in Manila on December 14 and 15, 1987, whereby the ruler declared the vision of Brunei playing an active role in the launch of the Youths Exchange Programme in Asean.

This year marked the sixth time that Brunei has organised the SEA Al-Quran Reading Competition.

It was held for the first time in 2000, and continued in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2011. - Borneo Bulletin (10 December 2013)