BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE permanent secretary of religious affairs called on graduates with religious credentials to make full use of their skills, knowledge and qualifications to earn a living by venturing into entrepreneurship.

Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdul Aziz Orang Kaya Maharaja Lela Hj Yussof said the graduates should grab the opportunity to start businesses that are related to religious affairs.

“They should not limit themselves by waiting for government jobs or vacancies in the private sector but venture into entrepreneurship in areas related to the Quran,” he said, adding that this will help curb the problem of unemployment in Brunei.

He was speaking on the sidelines of Thursday’s Khatam Al-Quran ceremony at Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Hj Hassanal Bolkiah (ITQSHHB).

He said graduates with religious qualifications should take a step into the business world, as they already have strong religious beliefs and a highly moral personality.

“They should not be afraid to take part in business opportunities,” he added.

Nurul Hamizah Abd Ganim, a 22-year-old graduate of this year’s ‘Aliyah Qira’at Diploma course, said she was planning to hold tuition classes on Arabic language and Quran reading.

“There are not a lot of Bruneians who know how to speak Arabic. As a graduate with religious credentials, there’s a big market for us out there. It’s just that we don’t recognise the niche market,” she said.

Hamdy Emran from the Islamic Arts and Calligraphy Studies Centre under Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (YSHHB) said most graduates with religious credentials prefer to wait for government job offers.

“There’s a small number of graduates who venture into other areas such as selling cakes online or setting up photography companies to earn income,” said Handy, who has a Diploma in Business Art from Restu College in Selangor, Malaysia.

He said his calligraphy skills are in high demand in the government and private sectors because not many people market or sell their Islamic calligraphy work.

Hamdy conducted a workshop on Islamic art and calligraphy for youths in Mukim Kota Batu’s Kg Sg Bunga recently. He plans to have a similar workshop with Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA).

“It’s profitable. It’s just that our youth don’t see it,” he said.

The Brunei Times