• Today: August 29, 2026

Crown Prince officiates UNISSA’s 16th Mahrajan Hafl al-Takharruj

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 and Pro-Chancellor of Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), on Wednesday officiated the university’s 16th Mahrajan Hafl al-Takharruj at the Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (BKISHHB).

Upon arrival, His Royal Highness was welcomed by Minister of Education Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohammad Salleh, chairperson of the UNISSA Council; Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohammad Tashim bin Pengiran Haji Hassan, deputy chairperson of the UNISSA Council; Deputy Minister of Education Dato Seri Paduka Dr Awang Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal; and Acting Rector of UNISSA Dr Haji Arman bin Haji Asmad, chairman of the Supreme Committee for the 16th Mahrajan Hafl al-Takharruj.

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 and Pro-Chancellor of Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) officiates the university’s 16th Mahrajan Hafl al-Takharruj at the Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (BKISHHB). PHOTOS: RAFI ROSLI

The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and a prayer led by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Awang Haji Salim bin Haji Besar.

His Royal Highness then delivered the officiating sabda before witnessing the launch video of the 16th Mahrajan Hafl al-Takharruj, which highlighted UNISSA’s efforts to preserve and advance Islamic intellectual heritage in an era shaped by artificial intelligence and global challenges.

Following the officiating ceremony, His Royal Highness signed a commemorative parchment before touring an exhibition showcasing Islamic manuscripts, student research, digital innovations, traditional Islamic learning and the contributions of Brunei Darussalam’s Islamic scholars.

(ABOVE & BELOW) His Royal Highness tours an exhibition showcasing Islamic manuscripts, student research, digital innovations, traditional Islamic learning and the contributions of Brunei Darussalam’s Islamic scholars. 

Among the highlights was a display of four rare manuscripts from the UNISSA Library collection: a handwritten Mushaf Al-Qur’an, Tafsir al-JalalainSyarh Sighah Sayyidi ‘Abdussalam bin Masyisy and Tanbih al-Ghafilin, representing the rich heritage of Qur’anic studies, tafsir, hadith, tasawuf and Islamic ethics.

His Royal Highness also viewed a live demonstration of manuscript digitisation using a portable scanner, illustrating efforts to preserve valuable manuscripts while expanding access for research and education through digital technology.

The royal tour continued with the E-Manuscript platform, which provides public access to digitised Islamic manuscripts. The platform currently features 14 manuscripts endowed by the Maktabah Makkah al-Mukarramah and supports UNISSA’s role as a reference centre for Islamic manuscript studies.

His Royal Highness also visited exhibitions featuring student research, including studies on strengthening digital manuscript management at BKISHHB and an analysis of diplomatic elements in Brunei-British relations through the manuscript Syair Yang Di-Pertuan.

Also featured was the UNISSA Digital Al-Qur’an application, offering audio recitations by local qaris, translations and interactive learning features, as well as the Balai Talaqqi Programme, which revives the traditional face-to-face method of studying classical Islamic texts under qualified teachers.

A special exhibition honouring prominent Islamic scholars and a student-produced documentary highlighted the contributions of Brunei’s religious scholars to education, dakwah, administration, law, literature and Islamic studies.

Following the exhibition tour, His Royal Highness officiated the launch of 36 new UNISSA publications and graciously received commemorative gifts.

His Royal Highness in a group photo with UNISSA students.

Before departing, His Royal Highness also received a pesambah from the UNISSA Student Representative Council and interacted with the university’s academic staff and students.

This year’s Mahrajan Hafl al-Takharruj carries the theme “Exploring the Treasury of Knowledge: Inspiring the Khayra Ummah Generation”, reflecting UNISSA’s commitment to preserving, enriching and innovating Islamic knowledge while nurturing knowledgeable, faithful and capable future generations.

The three-day event, running from August 5 to 8, features workshops on manuscript preservation, conservation, digitisation and cataloguing, public speaking, Jawi reading and writing, the Convo-Set-Career programme, a Rakis poetry competition, a Jawi writing competition and an online Knowledge Heritage Quiz.

Jointly organised by the Office of Student Affairs, the Faculty of Islamic Development Management and the Centre for Islamic Manuscript Studies, the annual Mahrajan Hafl al-Takharruj celebrates UNISSA graduates ahead of the university’s convocation ceremony on August 17 while showcasing its commitment to Islamic scholarship, research, digital innovation and academic excellence.

 

SOURCE/AUTHOR : BORNEO BULLETIN/Lyna Mohammad

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