Schools Called On To Raise Students' Quran Reading Skills
By Za'im Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - "The ability of the students to recite the Al-Quran largely depends on the religious school that teaches it. Identifying the 'huruf' and spelling, pronouncing the 'kalimah' and reading the verses accurately are among the skills that a religious school must help the students accomplish."

This was stated by Acting Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Dato Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Dato Haji Awang Othman during his speech yesterday at an Al-Quran reading competition for religious school students nationwide at the hall of Maktab Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan.

He added, "Not all students are easy to teach and not all are fast learners. There are those with flaws and problems. Teachers, especially those who teach the Quran, have to be patient in order to persevere. It is their duty as teachers, a duty that is not easily passed on to parents and other family members of the students."

However, he said, "family members of the students must also ensure that they are able to perform their rituals, especially prayers, and possess moral values".

"For teachers, their duty is to make the students able. If a student is encountering difficulty in acquiring the skills, there must be a reason behind it. Whether it is a problem with the teaching quality or a problem with the students, it is the duty of the teachers and other parties concerned to make the problem known," the acting minister, who was also the guest of honour at the event, added.

On the Al-Quran reading competition, he hoped that it "will improve the performance of our students in Al-Quran reading. Being able to recite the Quran is an important criterion in the pursuit of perfection in the praying ritual".

Earlier, Director of Islamic Studies under the Ministry of Religious Affairs Ustazah Hjh Kasmah binti Hj Siput, in her speech, said that it was the 43rd time the competition was held since its introduction in 1956.

Three hundred and eight students participated in the event, and after a selection process, 12 were chosen to compete in the finals.

Among the objectives of the competition was to unearth talents to represent the country in international events, Ustazah Hjh Kasmah said.

She added that Al-Quran studies are held systematically, depending on the abilities of the students. Some 190 instructors are currently attending courses to improve their quality of teaching.

In the "Male A" category, Md Raziq Raziqin bin Abdullah emerged as the champion, while first and second runners-up were Mohd Fauzi bin Lasa and Mohd Yusri bin Md Farid.

In the "Female A" category, Dk Fauziah Nadhirah binti Pg Hj Jofri snatched the top spot, while first and second runners-up were Iwani binti Hamdani and Yumni Haziqah binti Mohammad.

Ak Adi Nazri bin-Pengiran Hj Jofri topped the "Male B" category while Dk Umi Syazana binti Pg Marzuki, in the "Female B" category.

The guest of honour presented prizes to the winners of the Al-Quran reading competition as well as those of a Jawi writing contest, before touring an exhibition that featured entries of the Jawi writing contest. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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