WITH the upcoming convocation of Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) on November 2, a third convocation festival or Mahrajan Hafl Al-Takharruj began yesterday.

His Royal Highness Prince (Dr) Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and also the Pro-Chancellor of UNISSA officiated the festival at its campus in Gadong.

To initiate the event, verses of the Al-Quran was read by Awg Julazni bin Hj Zaini and translated by Adi Asmat bin Lamat, both graduates from the Faculty of Syariah and Law. It was followed by the welcoming remarks from the Acting Rector of UNISSA, Pg Anak Dr Hj Amiruddin Alam Shah bin Pg Anak Hj Ismail.

His Royal Highness delivered his Sabda to officiate the convocation festival. It was followed by a multimedia presentation with title coinciding with this year’s theme, ‘Pemantapan Iman Menjulang Ketaqwaan’.

His Royal Highness toured the mini gallery, exhibits and witnessed performances around the university. It consists of a Khat gallery of calligraphy works of those who had won the competition and calligraphy writing demonstration by UNISSA students on how calligraphy works.

His Royal Highness consented to complete the calligraphy painting of the first verse of Surah Al-Fath.

A pesambah was presented by Ustaz Wan Habib, UNISSA Mushaf writer and designer. It was a calligraphy painting on canvas bearing His Royal Highness’ name in Jawi using Kufi square style.

His Royal Highness took a closer look at a Quranic language course designed by CPKL, UNISSA as a service to Bruneian community to enable them to understand Al-Quran and communicate in Arabic.

His Royal Highness also viewed a BICTA showcase highlighting the product of UNISSA students in the recent BICTA called ‘Halal Tech’ to view pertinent details on Halal products and the authenticity of the Halal logo displayed on the products’ packaging.

They also aim to provide a directory of Halal-certified commercial premises with the hope of widening their scope of products to other areas and giving a focus on processed food, drinks and restaurants to provide the best solution that seeks to assist the Muslim community at large, the public, the authorities and the budding local Halal entrepreneurs.

Designed by UNISSA students, it won the Special Mention award in the BICTA. In addition, they showcased the skills of web designing, multimedia and programming as part of the ICT course offered by UNISSA. There was also a photography showcase from recent photography competition held to mark the convocation.

His Royal Highness took a look at a moot court demonstration by 2nd year double degree law undergraduates of UNISSA. It was to allow these law students to practise and to conduct researches, make submissions alongside the statutory provisions, on law-related issues in a court simulation. Moot is also a compulsory subject for the law students of UNISSA. Hence the moot court is introduced.

The moot court demonstration showed a situation in court where a trial regarding Sariqah is going on at an appeal level. There the prosecutor is trying to make an appeal to the court to give the punishment of Hadd (cutting of hand) instead of Ta’zir.

However, as proven by the lawyers of the respondent since the elements of Sariqah are found to be doubtful hence could not be satisfied, the punishment could not amount to Hadd, but rather just Ta’zir which consists of fine or imprisonment or both.

His Royal Highness was briefed by the Dean of Faculty of Syariah and Law, Associate Professor Dr Hj Abdul Mohaimin Hj Noordin Ayus and later presented with a pesambah before leaving the moot court. The moot court performance is open to the public starting yesterday (Saturday) till October 30 excluding Sunday.

His Royal Highness viewed a martial art performance portraying ‘Cekak’ and ‘Kuntau’, military demonstration by UNISSA army cadet who camped at the country’s border to safeguard the country where tents, prayer tents and radio control are set.

The demonstration was set in such a way while performing their prayers, the army was attacked by enemies using grenades and rifles. However, the platoon commander did not instruct them to attack back due to the uncertainty in the number of enemies. He instructed the troop to seek assistance from the base via the radio control.

His Royal Highness ended his visit with a luncheon. - Borneo Bulletin (27 October 2013)