134 in first round of Quran contest

A TOTAL of 134 contestants competed in the preliminary round of the national Quran memorisation and understanding competition, which will culminate in July in conjunction with the Nuzul Al-Quran (revelation of Quran) celebration.

"Alhamdulilah, the number of participants for the competition has increased (from 105 last year)," said Hjh Noraidah Hj Rabaha from the Al-Quran Learning and Dissemination Centre Mabims, Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Twelve participants who score 65 per cent and above in the preliminary round will be eligible for the semi-finals. However, the final number (of contestants) is up to the panel of judges to decide.

Category A saw participants aged 10 and below, who have to memorise Surah Al-Insyiqaaq, Surah Al-Buruuj, Surah Ath-Thariq, Al-A'laa, Surah Al-Ghasyiyah, Surah Al-Balad, Surah Asy-Syams and ayat-ayat Lazim (short Quranic verses) from Surah Ad-Dhuha to Surah An-nas, and able to understand Surah Al-Mutaffifiin and Al-Alaq.

Fifty-two contestants competed in the category, all of which have never won the category.

Category B is for those aged 15 years and below (as of January 1). This category requires the memorisation of Surah As-Sajdah, Surah Yaasiin, Surah Ad-Dukhan, Surah Ar-Rahmaan, Surah Al-Waqi'ah, Surah Al-Hasyr and Surah Al-Mulk and the understanding of Surah Al-Kahfi. To participate in the category, contestants are required to have never come first in the category before and are not students of any Quran tahfiz institute. Thirty nine participants have registered under the category.

Category C is open to all ages, where contestants must memorise Juz one to 15 and should understand Juz six.

They must also not come first in the category for three years in a row; have never participated in Category D; and are not recipients of the "menghafaz Al-Quran Ujian Tasmie" allowance in the 20 juz and 30 juz category.

Category D requires contestants to memorise all 30 juz of the Quran, and an understanding of juz 17. This category is open to all ages, and all participants are required to not come first in the category for three years in a row.

The competition is one of the ministry's annual projects to celebrate historical events in the Islamic calendar, as well as to celebrate the national Nuzul Al-Quran.

The preliminary round for categories C and D were held yesterday while categories A and B were held on April 10 at Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.The Brunei Times