His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam presented prizes to the winners of the 8th Southeast Asian Youth Al-Quran Reading Competition. The ceremony took place at the Plenary Hall, International Convention Centre in Berakas.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was greeted upon arrival by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Retired Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, who is also the Chairman of the Executive committee of the Southeast Asian Youth Al-Quran Reading Competition 2017; Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Mohd Roselan bin Haji 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 were His Majesty's sons and brother, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al- Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office; His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah.

The ceremony began with the reading of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Doctor Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, in his welcoming address, among other matters said that the overall participation from ASEAN member countries and invited country is a manifestation of the closeness of the ASEAN countries as a community which continues to mutually support initiatives that benefit youths in the region. The determination of youths in participating in Al-Quran reading Competitions, Yang berhormat Pehin explained, is a sign that youths possessing the country's hope can be easily moulded to answer the country's needs.

Awang Haji Abdul Rajid bin Haji Mohd Salleh, the Acting Director of Islamic Dakwah Centre, as Chairman of the Panel of Judges, in announcing the result of the 8th Southeast Asian Youth Al-Quran Reading Competition among other matters said that the competition has gained encouraging progress and development with the participation of 21 readers from eleven Southeast Asian nations, subsequently enhancing the reputation of the competition as among the prestigious events in this region.

The ceremony was highlighted by the Al Qur'an Reading Presentations by the male and female champions of the 8th Southeast Asian Youth Al-Quran Reading Competition.

His Majesty also presented prizes to the winners. The champion in the male category of the 8th Southeast Asian Youth Al-Quran Reading Competition was Awang Ahmad Zulwaqar Bin Suhaili from Brunei Darussalam. The champion received a Challenge Trophy awarded by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, an accompanying prize, certificate of participation and a 5 thousand dollar cash prize.

The first runner-up was Ilham Mahmuddin Murdan from the Republic of Indonesia received an accompanying prize, certificate of participation and a cash prize of four thousand dollars.

Meanwhile in third place, Muhammad Qayyim Nizar bin Sarimi from Malaysia received an accompanying prize, a certificate of participation and a 3 thousand dollar cash prize.

Champion of the Qariah category was also won by the Brunei Darussalam participant, Dayangku Amal Zahirah binti Pengiran Haji Jofri. She received a Challenge Trophy awarded by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, an accompanying prize, certificate of participation and a 5-thousand-dollar cash prize.

Runner-up, Nurjannah Yosef Piliang from the Republic of Indonesia brought home an accompanying prize, certificate of participation and a cash prize of four thousand dollars. The qariah from Malaysia, Siti Syahirah binti Isa came in third, receiving an accompanying prize, a certificate of participation and a 3 thousand dollar cash prize. His Majesty also presented consolation prizes to the other participants of the competition and souvenirs to the panel of judges.

Doa Selamat was read by the State Mufti. 21 qaris and qariahs from ASEAN member countries including the participants from Timor Leste took part in the competition. The participation of Timor Leste was on the invitation of the government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. The Southeast Asian Youth Al-Quran Reading Competition is held biennially and invites the participation muslim youths from countries in the South Asian region. First held in 2000, it aims to instil and cultivate friendship, brotherhood and cooperation among youths in the region as well as raise the quality of Al-Quran reading among the region's youths.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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