Bandar Seri Begawan - An al-quran recitation competition was held for the second time for students of the Quran and Dikir classes of the Continuation of Education Division (Bahagian Pendidikan Lanjutan, BPL) yesterday at the Main Conference Hall of the Ministry of Education's building in Berakas.

A total of five categories were contested. Participants competed in one Muqaddam category, three Murattal al-Quran categories for beginners, middle and high classes, and Tarannum category for advanced Quran readers.

A total of 19 participants took part in the competition who are currently taking Quran and Dikir classes with BPL from Brunei-Muara, Tutong and Temburong Districts.

The guest of honour was Awangku Abdullah bin Pengiran Haji Tengah, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Higher Institution) at the Ministry of Education.

Also present was Dayang Hajah Erie binti Abdullah, Head of Continuation of Education Division (Bahagian Pendidikan Lanjutan, BPL) of the Department of Technical Education, Ministry of Education.

Dyg Hjh Erie's in a speech at the event said that the main aim of the BPL Quran and Dikir class in organising such a competition was to unearth and showcase the talents and abilities of the students under the instruction of their teachers, to motivate the students and encourage them to continuously improve their reading skills with precise Tajwid, and to show members of the public that BPL is conducting classes for those who want to learn al-Quran. BPL does not see age as a hurdle for those who show the desire to learn.

With the increasing number of religious classes being conducted, it can help realise His Majesty's wish to make Brunei Darussalam a Zikir nation, she added.

She also thanked the sponsors - Royal Brunei Airlines, Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam, Alimen Enterprise, Brunei Shell Marketing, Darussalam Holdings Sdn Bhd, Jetstar, Wanzee Enterprise, Shadon's Style Icon Salon & Ahmad Batik - in helping to make the event a success.

After the contenders completed their Quran recitations, a Tausyeh was performed by the class of BPL Dikir.

The Muqaddam category was won by Maisalamah binti Haji Ahmad, second place went to Hasimah binti Hj Md Yusof, and third place went to Mohd Qalnawee bin Hj Abd Latif.

The winner in the Beginner Murattal al-Quran category was Hjh Mariam Hj Awg Basar, second place went to Hjh Syaza Syaflqah Iffatussafiah Hj Asnal and in third place was Hjh Mariam Hj Abd Hamid.

The Middle Murattal Al-Quran category's winner was Hjh Siti Mas Zaiton Hj Abidin. In second place was Sariwati Hj Sahak while Hjh Norshahanita Abdullah came third.

The High Murattal al-Quran category was won by Dyg Hamiah binti Awg Sait, followed by Awg Yussop bin Hj Jais and Saibah binti Salam in second and third place respectively

The Advance Al-Quran Tarannum male category was won by Aliuddin bin Hj Serbini, while the female category was won by Hjh Norhayati Hj Ahmad.