Bandar Seri Begawan - The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) organised a Khatam Al-Quran ceremony to celebrate the successful completion of Al-Quran recitations by 199 trainees of the third National Service Programme (PKBN) pilot project at the Chancellor Hall of Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

The guest of honour was the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, YB Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hazair bin Haji Abdullah and spouse.

Upon arrival, the guest of honour was welcomed by Permanent Secretaries at the Ministry of Culture, Youth arid Sports namely Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Hamid bin Haji Mohd Jaafar and Haji Mohd Rozan bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos; Haji Ismail bin POKPS Dato Paduka Haji Hashim, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the ministry; Major (Rtd) Mohamad bin Dollah, Camp Commander of PKBN; directors; senior officers and secretariat of PKBN.

The ceremony began with a recital of Surah al-Fatihah led by the guest of honour and mass recitation of the Khatam Al-Quran by trainees of the PKBN that included 70 women.

The PKBN religious teachers led the Dikir Syarafil Anam, Takhtim and Khatam prayers. The guest of honour and Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Hamid bin Haji Mohd then sprinkled scented flowers, distributed the traditional 'bunga telor' and presented certificates of appreciation to the trainees.

Prior to concluding the ceremony, Ustaz Haji Abdul Afiq bin Zainuddin, head religious teacher of PKBN, recited the thanksgiving prayer.