BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

EIGHT youths are through to the final of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports’ annual Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran Reading Competition on Sunday.

A total of 29 semi-finalists in both male and female categories competed at the Youth Centre yesterday. The finalists will represent Brunei at the upcoming regional competition.

Qariah (female Quran reader) Nur Rodaah Hj Asmat said she has been sharpening and practising her Quran reading skills everyday after her Maghrib prayers, weeks prior to the competition.

Nur Rodaah, tutored by her father since she was 10 years old, said that her father has always been involved in her Quran reading competition journey.

“My father has always been the one to encourage me to pursue and take part in Quran reading contests and he never failed to assist me in perfecting my Quran reading skills,” said the 18-year-old.

Another participant, a qari for the tarannum (a style of reading the Quran through singing) category said he still felt nervous despite participating in previous Quran reading competitions.

Muhammad Nur Asymawi Awg Asli said the technique and methods on how to recite Al-Quran requires patience and a lot of practice.

Meanwhile, Dk Siti Ummi Syazana Pg Hj Manuki, also a participant of the Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran, said she has been learning various theories and practices in reciting Al-Quran.

The qariah said it has always been her goal to be able to be in the finals, and hopes to compete in an international contest one day.

“Insyallah I would love to one day represent Brunei at an international level,” said the 21-year-old.

Aged from 17 to 22, a total of 20 qari and nine qariah youth participants competed in the semi-finals of the National Youth Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran competition.

The Brunei Times