HIS Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office consented to grace the Finals of the National Al-Quran Reading Competition, held yesterday at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas.

Accompanying HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah was HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik.

Welcoming Their Royal Highnesses upon arrival was Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman, the Minister of Religious Affairs who is also the Chairman of the Finals of the National Al-Quran Reading Competition (Adults Category) for the Year 1434 Hijrah/2013.

The event started with a mass recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awg Yahya bin Haji Ibrahim, followed by a welcoming speech delivered by the Minister of Religious Affairs.

Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad stated that the Finals of the National Al-Quran Reading Competition (Adults Category) would be held for three consecutive nights.

The Al-Quran reading competition was initiated in mosques and worship halls to select the Qaris and Qariahs to enter the Zone and District levels.

Participants with 75 per cent and above in the Zone and District levels will be eligible to participate in the quarterfinals.

A total of 73 participants managed to go through the quarterfinals, consisting of 50 Qaris and 23 Qariahs, held last February 4 until 7 at the Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit Mosque in Mukim Kilanas.

From the quarterfinals, only 53 participants managed to get a score of 80 per cent and advanced to the semi-finals, which was held last March 5 until 7 in Islamic Dakwah Centre.

The overall performance of the participants has resulted in the selection of Qaris and Qariahs who have proceeded to the finals of the competition, comprising six Qaris and six Qariahs, including last year’s winner.

“The judges found that the majority of participants have increased their reading quality. The Ministry of Religious Affairs will continue to provide workshops and Tahsin Al-Quran workshops for the national Qaris and Qariahs,” said the minister.

The momentous event was then continued with the sabda from HRH the Crown Prince.

The competition then started with Al-Quran recitations by two participants. During the break, before introducing another two participants to recite the Al-Quran, the ceremony saw a seven Qiraat Quran recitation performance by the ‘Aliyah Qiraat Diploma Programme students of the Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

The theme of this year’s competition is ‘Al-Quran Cahaya Dunia Akhirat’ (Al-Quran is the light for the World and the Hereafter).

The competition will be continue tonight with eight more participants (four Qaris and four Qariahs), while the announcement of the results to determine the winner for both Qari and Qariah of the Finals of the National Al-Quran Reading Competition (Adults Category) will be held tomorrow (April 18) at 7.30pm. - Borneo Bulletin (17 April 2013)