A closing ceremony to mark the completion of the ‘Intensive Course for Champion Qari and Qariah of the National Quran Reading Competition for the Adult Category 2011′, which ended on Sunday, June 10, was organised yesterday at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA).

The programme, organised by MoRA’s Islamic Syiar Development Unit, was held from May 23 for four nights a week at the Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah. It aimed to improve the participants’ reading skills in preparation for the upcoming ‘International Tilawah Al-Quran’ in Kuala Lumpur.

During the course, participants received some training to improve their voice projection, melody, pronunciations and ‘fasahah’ by four appointed panellists – Ustaz Hj Abd Hafeiz Hj Nur Al-Hafiz, Ustaz Hj Mohd Zainul Arifin Ridwan Lubis, Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yusop Bakar and Ustaz Hj Termizi Hj Mahmood.

The Qari and Qariah who will be representing Brunei in the upcoming competition are Hj Ismail Hj Sulaiman and Nurfaezah Hj Emran. The duo will depart on July 15 to be accompanied by three MoRA personnel.

On hand to present the delegates with their flight tickets yesterday was guest of honour Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad Pg Hj Abd Rahman, the Minister of Religious Affairs.

Nurfaezah is a 28-year-old officer from BAG Networks and has been active in various al-Quran reading competitions since the age of nine.

Among her significant achievements include being feted as champion in 2001, 2008 and 2010 for the ‘National Tilawah Al-Quran’, second runner-up in 2010 for ‘International Tilawah Al-Quran’ in KL, and third place in 2007 and 2008 for the ‘Southeast Asian Youth Tilawah Al-Quran’ and ‘International Tilawah Al-Quran’ respectively.

Meanwhile, Hj Ismail, a 44-year-old manager of Rihlah Global Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd, told the Bulletin that he has been active in such competitions from his schooling days. He has also represented Brunei in several ‘International Tilawah Al-Quran’ events in KL over the years.

In an interview with the Bulletin, Hj Ismail expressed his hope to have many local youths be involved in al-Quran reading competitions.

He also urged mosques and relevant authorities to organise more al-Quran reading competitions, not only for adults but also for youths and children.