AFTER two nights of recitations of Al-Quran by a total of 12 Qaris and Qariahs, the announcement for the coveted title as champion, runner-up, and second runner-up of the annual National Al-Quran Reading Competition for Adults was announced.

As in the previous years, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to attend the final night of the National Al-Quran Reading Competition for Adults held last night at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Berakas.

Accompanying His Majesty to the event were HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, HRH Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik and HRH Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.

His Majesty and other members of the royal family were greeted on arrival at the ICC last night by Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman, the Minister of Religious Affairs as Chairman of the High-Working Committee for the National Al-Quran Reading Competition for Adults 1434H/2013.

The ceremony began with a recitation of Al-Quran by Awang Muhammad Anuar bin Ghazali, Champion of the 54th International Tilawah Al-Quran in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last year.

The ceremony continued with the welcoming speech by Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad.

His Majesty then consented to deliver a titah.

The ceremony later continued with the much awaited announcement of winners for the National Al-Quran Reading Competition for Adults 2013 by Chairman of the Judging Committee, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Zaimi bin Haji Talip.

Returning as champion in the Qari category, scoring 92.25 per cent was Awangku Muhammad Adibul Amin bin Pengiran Haji Marjuki. The champion in the Qariah category, scoring 91.68 per cent was Dyg Hjh Maidah binti Hj Abdul Rahman.

Runner-up in Qari category, scoring 91.8 per cent was Awang Hj Ismail bin Hj Sulaiman, and second runner-up went to Awang Muhammad Zul Hafiz bin Awang Tengah.

Runner-up in Qariah category, scoring 91.54 per cent was Dayang Nurfaezah binti Hj Emran, and the second runner-up went to Dyg Nurul Akmalina binti Hj Yahya.

After the announcement, the ceremony continued with the recitations from both the Qari and Qariah champions.

His Majesty consented to hand over trophies, winning prizes and souvenirs to the winners.

Each winner (Qari/Qariah) received a Championship Trophy, $7,000 cash and accompanying prizes as well as a certificate. Each runner-up received $5,000, accompanying prizes and a certificate. Each second runner-up received $3,000 cash, accompanying prizes and a certificate. Other Qaris and Qariahs received complimentary cash prizes of $1,500, accompanying prizes and certificates.

The ceremony ended with the recitation of a Doa Selamat by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

Twelve Qaris and Qariahs participated in this year’s event. The Qaris were Awangku Muhammad Adibul Amin bin Pengiran Haji Marjuki (champion), Awang Haji Ismail bin Haji Sulaiman, Awang Muhammad Zul Hafiz bin Awang Tengah, Awang Mohammad bin Ali, Awang Haji Nasrul Fakhri bin Haji Yahya and Awang Haji Mahrof bin Haji Chuchu.

The Qariahs were Dayang Nurfaezah binti Haji Emran, Dayang Nurul Akmalina binti Haji Yahya, Dayang Hajah Maidah binti Haji Abdul Rahman (champion), Dayang Hajah Rokiah binti Haji Ibrahim, Dayang Norezah binti Haji Md Deli and Dayang Siti Huzzaimah Yadey binti Haji Rosli.

According to the judges, this year’s competition has shown encouraging performances in aspects such as Tajwid, Teranum and in terms of vocal presentation.

In an interview with the Qari Champion, AK Muhammad Adibul Amin bin Pengiran Haji Marjuki, who has now won the competition four times, he voiced his gratitude to everyone who has helped him, including the government, his teachers and his family.

He said in maintaining or preserving as well as improving one’s performance, there is no substitute for face-to-face training with a teacher.

He said he was still undecided whether to return to next year’s competition as it was still early to decide. He said, he was just thankful to Allah the Almighty and all those who have helped him.

AK Muhammad Adibul Amin previously won the competition in 2008, 2010 and 2012.

The Minister of Religious Affairs, in his welcoming remark said a total of 53 participants had successfully entered the semi-final this year, compared to 43 last year.

The minister said this year, in the hope to strengthen the judging of the competition, two invited judges were brought in from Malaysia. Other than being judges, they were also mandated to be the facilitator of Tahsin Al-Quran Workshop for the nation’s Qari and Qariah. - Borneo Bulletin (19 April 2013)