BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

BRUNEI’S representative for the 22nd Round of the International Competition for the Memorisation and Recitation of the Holy Quran in Egypt returned yesterday bringing home a consolation prize.

Fifteen-year-old Muhd Faturrahman Embran, from Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (ITQSHHB), placed 14th out of 31 contestants.

In an interview with The Brunei Times, he said he was happy with the consolation prize and the new friendships he forged with the other international participants.

He noted that he learnt more ways to improve his Al-Quran reading skills.

“During the competition, I was a little bit nervous but my coach had taught me a few Selawat to help me calm down. The toughest competitor was Egypt as they had the advantage of being the host of the contest,” he said.

“Alhamdulillah, through the competition, I have learnt some ways on how to improve the quality of my memorisation, especially in terms of the recital melodies. InsyaAllah, I will do better if given another chance to participate in the future,” he added.

Muhammad Azim Hj Ali, the participant’s 27-year-old coach and who is also an official from ITQSHHB, said that he was quite satisfied with Muhd Faturrahman’s performance, who scored 82 per cent.

“We are not far from those in the Top 10. In terms of memorisation, we are at par with other competitors,” he said.

What made the difference was the way they handled the pressure, he added.

“Despite that, Alhamdulillah I am quite satisfied that given his young age and the first time participating in such a big contest, he was able to excellently answer every question given to him. InsyaAllah this can be futher improved,” he added.

The Brunei Times