Bruneian Claims 2nd Place, Does Country Proud
By Jon Tampoi

Bandar Seri Begawan - The four participants of the first `Musabakah Hifzil Quran' and ‘Sunnah (Hadith)’ of the Prophet Muhammad SAW returned to the Sultanate yesterday after competing in the `Asean Islamic Youth Level' that took place at the Istana Merdeka in Jakarta, Indonesia from July 21 to 23.

Upon arrival, they were greeted by the Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Pg Hj Mohd Tahir bin Pg Hj Yusof, officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and their immediate family at the VIP lounge of the Brunei International Airport. Their arrival was further enlivened by perforniances of hadrah whilst the participants were showered with `bunga rampai'.

In the competition, Awg Mohammad Hashim bin Hj Abdullah claimed second place in the Quran recital by reciting 20 chapters by heart. He was awarded with a cash prize of US$2,226, ticket to perform the Haj in Mecca and a certificate of participation. On hand to present the prizes to the winners was the President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The winner was then brought to the Surau of Sultan Hj Hassanal Bolkiah Tahfiz Al-Quran Institute. Present at the event as the Acting Principal was Dr Ashraf Fouad, family members, officers and students of the institution. The particpants were welcomed with a recital of the `Marhaban'.

Hj Mohammad bin Mat Lazim, the Deputy Principal of the institute in his congratulatory address, made known the achievements of the participants and said that their victory in winning second place in Jakarta has set a new benchmark for Brunei and hopes that this will further develop and encourage more Brunei participants to join competitions. The ceremony ended after a closing prayer was recited by Kahirul Manan bin Ah-Wafi.

The competition was designed as a project by Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz for Southeast Asian Countries and organised by the Religious representatives of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Indonesia in collaboration with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs of Indonesia. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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