HM: Be Firm In Faith, Devotion To Islam
By Syed Rory Malai Hassan and Anna Abu Bakar

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam expressed great sorrow upon learning that there are individuals in this world who have blatantly accused the Al-Quran of teachings that are threatening to public safety and terrorising world peace.

In his titah during the closing ceremony of the National Level Al-Quran Reading Competition - Adult Division Finals 2008 yesterday at the International Convention Centre (ICC), His Majesty said that the basis of these claims made by the individuals were taken from several sentences out of three surah found in the Al-Quran.

These sentences which were taken out of context from Ayat 39 and 60 of Surah Al-Anfal, Ayat 56 and 89 of Surah Annisa and Ayat 4 of Surah Muhammad was the foundation of their claims made in a short film documentary that was broadcasted through websites where they managed to raise widespread controversy, said His Majesty.

His Majesty explained that the Quranic verses should be recited according to its sequences because what comes before and after the verse needs to be taken into account due to its connection with one another. This is the proper way the Al-Quran should be observed and understood alongside its lessons, said His Majesty who added that its verses should never be cut off, shortened or summarised with the intentions for disgracing Islam and its people.

"Regardless of these accusations, we of the Muslim community, should prepare to realise that all accusations towards Islam, especially the Al-Quran will never cease. This has been predetermined by Allah (SWT) as a test of our patience and intelligence," His Majesty added.

The Al-Quran is a torch, said His Majesty, and it can guarantee that we will achieve a prosperous life if we use it as guidance for us to achieve true happiness. Piety also plays an equally important role, His Majesty added as he emphasised how our faith and devotion to Islam should always remain firm and steady no matter how strong the slander towards Islam is.

"The more powerful these accusations and degradations are towards Islam, the stronger we should uphold Islam, our heritage and everything we hold dear," said His Majesty. The Al-Quran is that heritage, said His Majesty, and one which we, especially our younger generation should never neglect. Instead we should strive to read, practice and learn from its teachings every chance we get and seize the opportunity for learning from the Al-Quran by using the resources that are available to us today, added His Majesty.

This is how we should respond to those that attempt to manipulate verses of the Al-Quran for their perverse intentions, said His Majesty who suggested that our reactions towards these individuals and their harmful acts should be smart and appropriate. It is our desire for all Muslim individuals to know how to read the Al-Quran and when this is achieved it is our obligation to be accustomed to reading it if possible on a daily basis, said His Majesty. This is because we desire to have the Al-Quran be dominant in our lives with its teachings and guidance, he added.

"Tonight we honour the Al-Quran and it's readers," said His Majesty as he pointed out how the competitions throughout all its levels has become an encouragement for those who wish learn from the Al-Quran whole-heartedly and to those who desire to participate in the competition.

At the end of his titah, His Majesty congratulated all the participants and especially those that proceeded to the final rounds.

His Majesty hoped that the participants will continue to develop and increase the quality of reading at the desired level in the future. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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