8th Southeast Asian Youth Quran Reading Competition 2017

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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office in a sabda calls on the relevant parties to continue thinking forward on a consolidated regional youth development programme. The programme adds His Royal Highness, should emphasise both the worldly and spiritual aspects towards empowering the contributions of the young generation to the excellence of the region’s ummah, culture and civilisation. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince delivered the sabda in officiating the 8th South East Asian Youth Quran Reading Competition earlier last night, brudirect.com reported.

Upon arrival at the International Convention Centre, His Royal Highness was greeted by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Retired Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, who is also the Chairman of the Executive committee of the South East Asian Youth Al-Quran Reading Competition 2017; Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Mohd Roselan bin Hj Mohd Daud, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar, Deputy Minister of Education AND Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs. Also in-attendance was His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malik ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah.

The function began with a recitation of Surah Al Fatihah led by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Imam Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Hamid bin Bakal.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports who is also the chairman of the Executive committee of the South East Asian Youth Al-Quran Reading Competition in his welcoming speech, among other things said that the Southeast Asian Youth Quran Reading Competition is His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s inspiration and true concept that becomes the country’s excellent project in the field that Brunei Darussalam has advantage in pioneering, leading, guiding as well as competing. Yang Berhormat added that the regional programme for youth such as the Al-Quran Reading Competition is the reflect of a culture of neighbourhood.

His Royal Highness also highlights that the beneficial and blessed event is another product of the far-sighted visions and wise leadership of His Royal Highness’s father His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, in strengthening the eminence of Islam, especially in elevating the knowledge and art of Al-Quran reading among the region’s youths.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince continues the sabda saying lately His Royal Highness is very pleased to note a new awareness and desire among the Muslims to start Al-Quran memorising and reading among children from the very young age until adolescence. His Royal Highness believes this is intended to equip them with good values and morals as well the development of self-identity in the face of a constantly changing life scenario and challenges.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince then officiates the 8th Southeast Asian Youth Quran Reading Competition. The three-nightly competition is participated by twenty one readers including ten females from the ASEAN region countries. Six readers presented their readings this evening including Brunei Darusalam’s male reader, Awang Ahmad Zulwaqar bin Suhaili.

Apart from improving and creating a network of cooperation and mutual understanding among Asian youth towards solidarity of the ummah, the competition is also a platform for youths to obtain blessings from the Quran.

The competition will continue tomorrow evening when fifteen other readers will present their readings including Brunei Darussalam’s female reader Dayangku Amal Zahirah binti Pengiran Haji Jofri. Winners will receive a challenge trophy donated by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and a cash prize of 5 thousand dollars. The competition which is organised biennially was participated by youth aged between 18 and 30 years old from ASEAN-member nations. Qari and Qariah from Timor Leste also participate in the competition for the first time on the invitation of His Majesty’s government. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince’s presence certainly shows his deep caring on whatever types of youth activities and development, in line with the cultural values and ethics in religious.