HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has underscored the position of Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in producing future doctors, engineers, scientists and managers who have memorised the Quran (Haffaz Al-Quran). The ruler also wanted students from a private school, which offers higher level of Al-Quran lessons compared to religious schools, to gain direct entrance into Arabic schools without the need for qualification tests.

His Majesty delivered a titah yesterday at the first Haflut Takharruj Ceremony (Convocation) of Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah held at the Banquet Hall, Prime Minister’s Office. His Majesty expressed his happiness that Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah other than offering studies to memorise Al-Quran is also providing academic subjects that enable the students to further their studies in the field of science, medicine, engineering, management and others.

“It is from here that Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah is perceived, Insya Allah, as being capable to produce prospective doctors, engineers or scientists who are also Hafaz Al-Quran,” His Majesty said.

“If this can be achieved, there is no doubt that Brunei will be the only country to successfully uplift the importance of Al-Quran in our daily life.”

His Majesty said Al-Quran is “Kalamullah”, the most precious and noble to Allah the Almighty. “There is nothing more holy than Al-Quran. That is ‘Kitabullah’, the most perfect constitution for humankind.”

That is why, His Majesty said, he continues to build aspiration for whatever matters or events that relate to Al-Quran.

The monarch highlighted that was why the Haflut Takharruj ceremony and presentation of “Ijazah Khas” (Special Degree) was a significant event.

“This ceremony will confer ‘Syahadah Diploma ‘Aliyah Qira’at’ at diploma level for students of Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah for the first time. They had undergone Qira’at study for three years and also memorising the Quran. At this juncture, I was made to understand, from the 12 people, six can be considered to have memorised all the 30 Juzuks (Quranic Chapters), only that they have not undergone a Tasmie’ test conducted by the Islamic Religious Council Tasmie’ Board,” His Majesty said.

The conferment yesterday also included 30 Huffaz that have successfully memorised 30 Juzuks in a test conducted by the Islamic Religious Council Tasmie’ Board, His Majesty stated.

“They will be presented with a degree, which I am inclined to call as “Ijazah Khas Hafaz Al-Qur’an 30 Juzuks” (Hafaz Al-Quran 30 Juzuj Special Degree),” His Majesty further stated.

The ruler highlighted that the presentation of the special diploma is duly held because it is not easy to memorise 30 Juzuk of Al-Quran compared to only completing an ordinary study at university.

“In line with the meaning of a degree, in my opinion, it must be given a value, not just in terms of academic value but also economic value accordingly, because our religion does not ignore both the needs for Ukhrawi (religious importance) and Duniawi (worldly importance),” His Majesty said.

The monarch also expressed his happiness that Tahfiz offers study to memorise Al-Quran and also provides academic subjects that enable them to further their studies in the field of science, medicine, engineering, management and others.

“Here, I would like to touch on Al-Quran education. At this time, we see the inclination of parents to provide Al-Quran education to their children which is encouraging. Congratulations to the parents.

“The Al-Quran education is conducted at religious, Arabic and private schools. Even there is a private school that offers more Al-Quran lessons compared to religious schools.

“In relation to this, even though according to the existing act, studying at religious school is compulsory, however if there is a private school that has even higher Al-Quran lessons than the religious school, I believe, it is not a problem for the students of that private school to have direct entrance to Arabic school without the need for a qualification test once the students are in Primary 2 in their religious school,” His Majesty said.

“Meaning, these students can be exempted from studying at religious school since they have enhanced their knowledge in Al-Quran lesson and possess a good basic Arabic language,” His Majesty further stated.

The ruler said even though other subjects could be a bit different, it should not be taken as a reason not to grant these children places in Arabic school. Furthermore, His Majesty said the subjects of Al-Quran and Arabic language should be prioritised.

His Majesty said he had raised this matter before but there was no sign of it being implemented. It should be done urgently, the monarch added.

His Majesty ended his titah by congratulating the graduates of the first Haflut Takharruj Convocation of Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. - Borneo Bulletin (6 December 2013)