DURING the national Israk Mikraj celebration for the Year 1435 Hijrah, the Excellence Imam Award and the Excellence Bilal Award were announced.

The celebration was held at International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas,

Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Haji Hamidon bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Abdul Hamid, Imam of the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque, was presented with the Excellence Imam Award for the year 1435H.

He was granted $10,000, an appreciation certificate, a souvenir and complimentary 1st Class Ward medical facility at any government hospital in Brunei Darussalam.

Meanwhile, Mudim Awang Haji Amran bin Haji Salleh, Bilal of the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque, was given the Excellence Bilal Award for the year 1435H.

He was granted $7,000, an appreciation certificate, a souvenir and complimentary 1st Class Ward medical facility at any government hospital in Brunei.

Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Haji Hamidon said he never expected to be awarded.

He expressed his gratitude towards the parties involved in his nomination.

Regarding the method of achieving the skill of good Al-Quran recitation, he said one must master the Holy Quranic recitations based on Tajweed (correct pronunciation) followed by one’s tone and voice.

Mudim Awang Haji Amran said, “I feel very happy and overwhelmed because this is a prestigious award, which was achieved not without hard work and commitment. I am thankful to Allah the Almighty for this grace.”

Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Haji Hamidon has been in service for 31 years in mosque affairs.

Before this, he was working as a teacher.

He then moved on to become a lecturer at Maktab Perguruan Hassanal Bolkiah in Gadong in 1980.

He later joined Maktab Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan in 1981 as a lecturer.

In 1983, Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Haji Hamidon was awarded the title “Mudim” with the position of Imam Level III and began his duty at the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque.

He is known as an Imam who is friendly, modest, of good character, of high moral standards, knowledgeable as well as committed and responsible in carrying out his basic duties.

In 1992, he was awarded the title “Pehin Khatib”.

For his dedicated service, he was also awarded stars and medals, namely the Darjah Paduka Mahkota Brunei Yang Amat Bersinar Darjah kedua (DPMB), Darjah Seri Ugama Islam Negara Brunei Yang Amat Bersinar Darjah Ketiga (SSUB), Darjah Setia Negara Brunei (PSB), Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK) and Long Service Medal (PKL).

He is known for his great voice and fluent quality of recitations of the Holy Quranic verses.

He also delivers Friday sermons fluently and seamlessly that it strikes a profound effect in the congregation who are listening.

Seeing such calibre, he was once given the honour to lead the Friday prayers at the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, when he attended the Asean National Imam’s Seminar in 1992.

As an experienced Imam in his capacity as a “Muallim” (teacher), he does not mind sharing his knowledge with mosque congregations when delivering lectures in the field of Fiqh.

He is also a constant reference for mosque congregations in the Fardhu Kifayah (Communal Obligations) and funerals.

Meanwhile, Mudim Awang Haji Amran, the mosque officer who is known by members of the community as a person who is friendly, humble, of good behaviour, knowledgeable, respectable as well as committed and responsible towards carrying out his basic tasks.

Mudim Awang Haji Amran is blessed with a melodious voice accompanied by excellent and fluent recitation.

He can call out the Azan in various Holy Quranic melodies. His Azan or call to prayer has been featured on radio and television.

He is also often invited to carry out the Azan to accompany the departure of Bruneian Haj pilgrims to the Holy Land of Mecca.

He is recognised for his experience and knowledge in Religious Knowledge and his rhythmic and Muratal style Al-Quran recitations.

As a “Muallim”, he also teaches mosque congregates the Fardhu ‘Ain (Personal Obligations) and Fardhu Kifayah (Communal Obligations).

In addition, he conducts Al-Quran and Muqaddam classes for adults and children at Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan.

He has participated in Adult Al-Quran Recitation Competitions in mosque, surau and prayer hall levels, gaining first place across the country.

From the year 1993 until now, he has served for 21 years in mosque affairs.

In the duration of his service he took the opportunity to gain academic knowledge which earned him a Bachelor’s Degree from Universiti Brunei Darussalam in 1998.

In 1996, he was awarded the title “Mudim” and began his service at the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque.

For his long service, he has been awarded stars and medals, namely the Darjah Seri Ugama Islam Negara Brunei Yang Amat Bersinar Darjah Ketiga (SSUB); Darjah Seri Ugama Islam Negara Brunei Yang Amat Bersinar Darjah Keempat (SUB) and Long Service Medal (PKL). - Borneo Bulletin (28 May 2014)