BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

BRUNEI’S qariah Siti Huzaimah Hj Rosli and qari Ak Mohd Adibul Amin Pg Hj Marjuki returned to emotional scenes at the Brunei International Airport yesterday after the former was placed third in the International Al-Quran Recital and Memorisation Assembly in Kuala Lumpur.

Ak Mohd Adibul Amin finished in fourth place in the male Al-Quran reader category of the competition.

An elated Siti Huzaimah Hj Rosli expressing joy at winning third place in the competition, said: “I am very grateful even though it is only third place, that is enough for me. InsyaAllah, I would like to compete again in the future if I have the chance to represent Brunei,” Siti Huzaimah told reporters.

Malaysia and Philippines were placed first and second respectively.

Prior to their departure, the Ministry of Religious Affairs provided them with workshops and intensive courses to deepen their knowledge and fluency in Al-Quran, she said.

This is Siti Huzaimah’s second time representing Brunei in the international competition.

The duo represented Brunei after becoming champions of the National Al-Quran Reading Competition for Adults 2014/1435H held at the International Convention Centre in April.

Sharing her experience, Siti Huzaimah said she noticed that there were many improvements in the competition.

“During the training, there were many areas that need improvements, however during the competition I was calm under the guidance of my father and our coaches.” Ak Mohd Adibul Amin is no stranger to the international competition.

The qari who presented Brunei in the past three years had some advice for other Al-Quran readers, as well as how he can improve.

“I would like to remind myself and the other qari and qariah to continue to recite and appreciate Al-Quran not only to compete in competitions but also to practise it in our daily lives,” he said.

Accompanying Al-Quran readers were six delegates, including Hj Idris Hj Aji, head of Islamic Syiar Development Department as the head of delegation, and Haslinda Hj Ismail, religious officer.

The delegation also included three coaches — Dato Paduka Hj Yusop Bakar, Ustaz Hj Abd Hafiez Hj Nuh Al-Hafiz and Hjh Aminah Hj Abd Manaf. Hj Abd Rajid Hj Mohd Salleh, acting director of Mosque Affairs Department, was also part of the delegation as the competition’s invited judge.

Present to welcome the duo were Acting Minister of Religious Affairs Pg Dato Paduka Hj Bahrom Pg Hj Bahar and other senior ministry officials. The Malaysian Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah presented prizes to the winners.

The Brunei Times