BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

PUSAT Bahagia yesterday held its first ever Azan and Jawi writing competition for its students across the country.

Organised by the Community Development Department (JAPEM) in conjunction with Isra’ Mikraj, the special celebration was held to strengthen relations among the students and JAPEM officers.

The celebration also hoped to engage individuals with special needs to socially interact with members of the public, which is part of the department’s efforts to raise awareness on inclusivity.

The event started with the recital of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat, followed by welcoming remarks from the chairman of the event, Dk Siti Saihalina Pg Hj Md Daud.

In her speech, she reminded the audience of the significance of Isra’ Mikraj in the history of Islam and highlighted the importance of love for the Prophet.

Coming in first place for the Azan competition with a score of 82 per cent was Brunei-Muara representative Muhammad Shahbirin Sahirani.

Second and third place went to Hj Nasib @ Haffizudin Hj Ibrahim of Temburong and Md Syahmi Syahiran Hj Sahari from Tutong with 83 and 81 per cent scores respectively.

Muhammad Nur Kassim, representing Belait from Pusat Bahagia Eric Goh came in fourth.

In the Jawi Writing competition under the female category, Irma Haryana Ratmi Hj Ismail of Brunei-Muara came in first while Khairul Anuar Apong from Tutong won first place under the male category.

The competition, held at the Dewan Darul Imtiyaz in Kg Pulaie, is one of Pusat Bahagia’s initiative to showcase the abilities and talents of the special need students while also encouraging them to be more fluent in performing in front an audience as well as gearing them up to nurture their talent and be more confident.

Also present to hand the awards and certificates to the winners was Hjh Noridah Abdul Hamid, Director of JAPEM.

The Brunei Times