SOME 900 male and female participants yesterday took part in the closing ceremony of the 30 times Khatam Al-Quran, which was held in conjunction with the 30th National Day celebration. The event was held simultaneously at Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah in Kiarong for male participants and Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan for female participants.

Present to grace the event at Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah was His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik. Upon arrival, His Royal Highness was greeted by the Minister of Education, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Awg Abu Bakar bin Hj Apong; Minister of Development, Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Suyoi bin Hj Osman; permanent secretaries; deputy permanent secretaries as well as male members of the organising committee.

At the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah graced the ceremony. Her Royal Highness was welcomed by Datin Paduka Hjh Adina binti Othman, Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports; spouses of the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Minister of Education and Minister of Development as well as female members of the organising committee.

The event at both mosques commenced simultaneously with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, which was read by Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Hj Mustafa bin Hj Murad in Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah and Dyg Nurul ‘Awatif Akmal binti Hj Abd Rashid, a representative from Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (ITQSHHB) at the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque.

At Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, the ceremony then continued with the mass recitation of Surah Ad-Duha to Surah An-Nas, led by male participants from ITQSHHB, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) and Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB). It was then followed with the recitation of Tahtim and Marhaban, led by students of Mahad Islam Brunei, and Doa Khatam read by Awg Ahmad Syuja’ie bin Mudim Hj Matassim. The ceremony at Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah ended with a Doa Selamat read by Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Hj Mustafa.

Simultaneously at the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque, the mass recitation of Surah Ad-Duha to Surah An-Nas was led by female participants from ITQSHHB, UNISSA and KUPU SB, and continued with the Tahtim and Dikir Marhaban led by the students from Sengkurong Sixth Form Centre (PTE Sengkurong). The Doa Selamat at Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque was read by Dyg Nurhazwani binti Hj Abd Rani, a representative from UNISSA.

Among the objectives of the event were to further engage youths on the importance of reciting and embracing Al-Quran as guidance in their life, as well as to strengthen the understanding and cooperation between the various agencies involved in youth development.

At the same time, the event was also held so as to further enliven the celebration of Brunei Darussalam’s 30th National Day with beneficial elements gained by reading the Noble Al-Quran, especially in realising the National Vision of becoming a Zikir Nation.

From the event, it is hoped that it will enhance youth participation in religious activities, to assist them in facing future challenges and in becoming the future leaders of the nation.

The event – organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports – involves participants from various government agencies, youth associations, various schools, former trainees of the National Service Programme (PKBN) as well as other invited guests. - Borneo Bulletin (26 February 2014)