Ustaz warns of trend in materialistic circles
By Mohd Bahrin

Winners in the women's Rawi competition from the PAP Amal Umi Kalthum Al Islam Religious School in Kampung Mulaut.

Children in Brunei will no longer be interested in reading the Al-Quran unless certain undesirable cultures are halted from creeping into their minds. They will be more caught up with the singing of their so-called idols rather than reading the holy verses. Then finally, the children will be having much difficulty to read the Surah Al-Fatihah profoundly although it is a necessity during the prayers.

The observation was made by Dato Seri Setia Ustaz Awg Haji Kasim bin Haji Lamat, Special Duties Officer for the Secretariat of the National Education Council, Ministry of Education. Dato Ustaz Awg Haji Kasim was the chief guest at the national level Rawi and Dzikir Syarafil Anam final between religious schools.

The competition was held at the main hall of the Seri Begawan Religious Teachers' College, Km2 Jalan Tutong. It is an annual affair organised by the Islamic Education Department in the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Dato Ustaz Awg Haji Kasim pointed out that among the main reasons for this unhealthy trend emerging in the circles of society is the failure of the parents to educate them while emphasising more on filling the children's minds with materialistic aims.

"The parents think religious education does not bring any benefit from the economic aspect compared with other subjects such as science and others which can ensure more towards the future of their children," he added.

"In the end, we will be producing a materialistic generation who are only gaining 'worldly' wealth and riches set in their minds regardless that they are obtaining it by going against Islamic teachings."

He added that the measures taken by the Islamic Education Department at the Ministry of Religious Affairs to integrate Dzikir classes into the curriculum of religious schools throughout the country have been positive towards preserving the national religious cultural heritage in today's Bruneian society.

In the Rawi competition, the Arabic Preparatory School in Beribi won the men's section while PAP Umi Kalthum Al Islam Religious School in Kampung Mulaut took the women's section. In the Dzikir Syarafil Anam, the Beribi Religious School (afternoon session) emerged champion (men's section) and PAP Mutawakillah Hayatul Bolkiah Religious School in Kg Serusop won the women's section.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin