National Quran readers urged to improve reading quality

ALTHOUGH achievements by some of Brunei's Quran readers at the International Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran in Kuala Lumpur so far have made the country proud, their failure to get the top honours showed that they still have to improve the quality of their readings in order to be on par with other international readers.

Speaking at the launch of a course on the art of reciting the Al-Quran of the 16th Majlis Al-Qurra', the Deputy Religious Affairs Minister Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman, said that when Brunei's qari and qariah failed to get top positions at the international competition, it was often said that the readers' weaknesses were the main reason. But this shouldn't be so since Brunei has provided facilities and opportunities for these readers to excel and the fact that they were the national champions.

Thus, he added, it was appropriate that the course should be continued with all those involved namely the coordinators, teachers and participants have the determination to achieve the level of improvement expected and to work their best to overcome any weaknesses.

"If we are not able to improve the reading quality after making all the efforts, it does not mean that we don't have the luck, but because we are still at learning and training levels," he remarked.

Majlis Al-Qurra' was established in 1978 by the Department of Religious Affairs, inspired from the success of the country's qari at the Quran recital competition in Kuala Lumpur in 1977, Tuan Hj Mashud Hj Awg Damit.

The setting up of Majlis Al-Qurra' was also in response to the titah by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on April 2, 1991 in conjunction with the Nuzul Al-Quran celebration, in which the monarch called for an effort to be made to train more potential Quran readers who could challenge the already established figures.

Majlis Al-Qurra' aims to enable former participants of the international competitions to become Quran teachers and help in producing more qari an qariah of excellent qualities.

This year, a total of 68 males and 73 females registered to participate in the course, to be held twice a week. Participants are divided into six classes which will be conducted by 11 teachers.

The course is coordinated by the Centre of Learning and Spreading Al-Quran at the Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, with the cooperation of the Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College.

Also present at yesterday's opening ceremony were the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Dato Paduka Hj Abdul Rahman Hj Mohiddin, the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Dato Paduka Hj Ishaaq Hj Abdullah as well as other senior officers.

The Brunei Times