BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, who is Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, consented to grace the National-Level Nuzul Al-Quran Celebration Ceremony for 1447 Hijrah at the International Convention Centre, Berakas Friday night (March 6).
Accompanying His Royal Highness were Prince Abdul Malik and Prince Abdul Mateen.
Upon arrival, His Royal Highness and other members of the royal family were greeted by Chief of Adat Istiadat Negara Idris Abdul Kahar in his capacity as Co-advisor of the Executive Committee for Major Islamic Calendar Events in the country.
Also greeting Their Royal Highnesses were Minister of Religious Affairs Ustaz Badaruddin Othman in his capacity as Co-Chair of Executive Committee for Major Islamic Calendar Events in the country and Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Major General (Rtd) Halbi Mohd Yussof.
Others greeting the royal arrival included Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Datuk Seri Setia Dr Abdul Manaf Metussin in his capacity as Chairman of the Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB) Board of Directors; Minister of Development Datuk Seri Setia Muhammad Juanda Abdul Rashid; Datuk Paduka Seri Setia Salim Besar; and Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Datuk Seri Paduka Mohd Tashim Hassan.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat by Datuk Paduka Seri Setia Salim, followed by sembah alu-aluan by the Minister of Religious Affairs in his capacity as Co-Chair of Executive Committee for Major Islamic Calendar Events after which His Royal Highness the Crown Prince delivered a sabda.
The Minister of Religious Affairs emphasised the importance of continuously strengthening efforts in learning Al-Quran, not only through recitation and memorisation, but also through a deeper understanding of its meanings.
Among the initiatives toward achieving this objective is the organisation of activities and programmes focused on tadabbur, or reflection upon the verses of Al-Quran.
He highlighted that the study of Al-Quran should go beyond reading and memorising the verses, stressing that true appreciation of Al-Quran requires proper comprehension of its teachings and messages.
The ceremony saw the announcement of the final results of the National-Level Al-Quran Memorisation and Understanding Competition for 1447 Hijrah by Acting Assistant Director Department of Haj Affairs Haslin Ali.
The Crown Prince also consented to present prizes to the winners of the competition.
The ceremony also saw special presentations by the best Hafazan participant from each category of the competition.
Themed ‘Strengthening Al-Quran Learning and Appreciating Its Teachings’, this year’s celebration was jointly organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs; Ministry of Defence; Ministry of Development; MABIMS Al-Quran Study and Dissemination Centre; and the BDCB. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
