BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

CONTESTANTS from Masjid RPN Kg Pandan in Kuala Belait and Masjid Utama Mohammad Salleh in Temburong emerged as champions in the male and female categories, respectively, at the inaugural National Murattal Al-Quran Reciting Competition for Al-Quran and Muqaddam Students.

The winning teams received trophies, certificate of participation and cash prizes during a prize presentation ceremony held yesterday at the Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien (SOAS) Mosque in the capital.

Meanwhile, teams from Masjid Kg Penanjong in Tutong and Balai Ibadat Kg Mata-Mata came second and third place, respectively, in the male category, while the female group from Masjid Kg Kilanas and Masjid Kg Lubok Pulau in Tutong were first and second runner-ups.

A total of 19 teams competed in the programme. Each participating team comprised of a group of three male contestants and three female contestants competing in their respective categories.

The team recited the Al-Quran uniformly, also known as Murattal.

All participants were Al-Quran and Muqaddam students from their respective mosques and suraus across the country.

The competition was co-organised by the Department of Mosque Affairs and Takmir (mosque committee) of SOAS Mosque.

During the prize presentation ceremony, the Acting Director of Mosque Affairs and event chairperson Hj Abd Rajid Hj Mohd Salleh said that the competition was held to heed the call of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam that all Muslims in the Sultanate become Al-Quran literate.

He added that the programme was also part of the department’s initiative to fulfill His Majesty’s aspiration for Brunei to become a “Zikir Nation”, as well as motivate the youth to recite Al-Quran fluently.

“The competition serves as a platform to instill Al-Quran reading as a daily habit starting from an early age,” said Hj Abd Rajid.

Hj Abd Rajid said that the number of participants was quite encouraging and demonstrated their enthusiasm and motivation.

He also expressed hopes that more people will join mosque activities, which will eventually foster closer ties between participants, mosque officers, takmir and the congregants.

Among the criterias assessed by the judges were Tajwid (a set of rules governing pronunciation during recitation of Al-Quran), Fasahah (fluency), rhythm and the use of melody.

SOAS Mosque officer and chairman of the panel of judges, Imam Zulkifli Hj Murat, said that the performance of the participants was generally satisfying, though there was still room for improvements such as accomplishing the right Tajwid and improving stamina to avoid shortness of breath.

Presenting the prizes to the participants was the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) Dato Seri Setia Hj Abd Aziz Orang Kaya Maharaja Lela Hj Mohd Yussof.

The Brunei Times