HIS Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik yesterday attended the 68 times ‘Khatam Al-Quran’ or completion of the recitation of Al-Quran involving over 1,300 male students and youths in honour of the 68th birthday celebration of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. It was held at Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah in Kiarong.

The event was held simultaneously in the four districts.

Besides Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, another focus of attention was at Universiti Brunei Darussalam mosque where the female Quran readers gathered in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Hjh Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah.

HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik was greeted upon arrival by the Minister of Education, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Awg Abu Bakar bin Hj Apong; Minister of Religious Affairs, Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad bin Pengiran Hj Abdul Rahman; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Hazair bin Hj Abdullah; Deputy Minister of Education, Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Yusoff bin Hj Ismail, and permanent secretaries.

The students and youths comprised those in the primary, secondary, technical and vocational, and tertiary institutions in the Brunei-Muara District. Another 2,300 students also gathered inside the mosque.

It was the third time that the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports held the Khatam Al-Quran to mark the royal birthday.

The event, full of blessings, was a meaningful contribution of the workforce of both ministries, students and youths to support the monarch’s aspiration to make the nation prosperous, peaceful and progressive under the guidance of Allah the Almighty and to answer call to make Brunei a Zikir Nation with the concept of ‘Baldatun Tayyibatun Warabbun Ghafur’ or a nation that is good and full of forgiveness from Allah the Almighty.

The event was also to express the students and youths’ thankfulness for Allah the Almighty’s blessings that shower the nation and to be prosperous under the wise leadership of the ruler, as a special gift from students and youths to the loving monarch to mark the 68th birthday anniversary, to recite Al-Quran to mark the royal birthday and pray for the monarch’s longevity and to continuously rule the nation under the guidance of Allah the Almighty, to instil the habit of reciting Al-Quran daily and to practise its teachings for oneself, people and the nation.

The intention of reciting 30 Juzuks of the holy book is for the benevolent ruler’s longevity and prosperity of the nation.

Doa Khatam was read by Abd Qawiyuddin bin Suhaili, a first year student of UNISSA while Doa Takhtim was read by Ak Mohd Muizuddin bin Pg Suhaili, a student from Sixth Form Centre in Meragang.

Doa Selamat for Allah the Almighty to bless the monarch and the nation was led by Pehin Khatib Hj Suhaili bin Hj Metali Al-Hafiz, Imam of Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah.

Also present were the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Awg Othman and Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Hj Awg Halbi bin Hj Mohd Yusof, as well as permanent secretaries and deputy permanent secretaries.

Meanwhile in the Tutong District, the 68 times completion of the recitation of Al-Quran for students and youths was attended by over 60 participants at Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Tutong Town. The chief guest was the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Awg Hj Ismail bin Hj Abd Manaf.

Over 500 students and youths in the primary, secondary, technical and vocational, and tertiary institutions also attended the gathering.

Meanwhile in Temburong, another 68 participants also took part in the Khatam Al-Quran plus another 300 students and youths. The chief guest was the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Hj Mohd Noor Jusmin bin Hj Abd Samad.

And in Belait, the ceremony was attended by the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Awg Hj Harun bin Hj Junid. Another 68 students and youths took part in the Khatam Al-Quran while over 400 students gathered at the religious event. - Borneo Bulletin (10 August 2014)