Bandar Seri Begawan - The PGGMB Religious and Women Section Committee organised the 8th Jawi Writing Competition in conjunction with Brunei's 29th National Day celebration, yesterday at the PGGMB building in the capital.

Some 64 children and grandchildren of members participated in the contest that comprised three categories namely Category A (six-seven years), Category B (eight-11 years) and Category C (12-14 years).

Deputy Co-Chairman of the event Cum Deputy Director of JK Religious Section of PGGBM, Ustaz Hj Mohd Firdaus bin OKK Hj Nordin said the theme of the competition "Menghayati Seni Khat Islam Sebagai Warisan Budaya Bangsa" aims to introduce Jawi calligraphy as part of Brunei's cultural heritage and Islamic civilisation whilst tapping the potential talents of children in Jawi writing. This form of calligraphy is sourced from the Wahyu and Al-Quran writing, which is a cultural heritage that needs to be preserved, maintained and understood by Muslims.

The government also places great emphasis to preserve Jawi writing in the Sultanate, which is in line with the Malay Islamic Monarchy concept and to mould Brunei as a Zikir nation.

On hand to present the prizes to the winners was the guest of honour, President of PGGMB Cikgu Hj Antin bin Ahad.

The winner of Category A was Khairunnasriah binti Saiful Azhar while Muhammad Saifullah bin Mohammad Sanuse won second place. Dyg Qistina Irdina bind Awg Mohd Zahurin came in third and each received $40, $30 and $20 respectively.

For category B, the champion was Hani Nabilah binti Asmadi while Nurul Izzah binti Saiful Azhar won second followed by Nur Hidayatul Hamidah binti Haji Abdul Mutalip in third place. They each received $50, $40 and $30 respectively. In Category C, first place went to Dyg Farah Amani binti Awg Mohd Zahurin, second place to Dyg Adriana Nur Sabrina binti Awg Mohd Zahurin and third place went to Abdul Haziq bin Kassim. They each received $60, $50 and $40 respectively.