Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), through its Student Affairs Section is once again hosting the Asean Inter-Varsity Musabaqah Tilawah Al-Quran on July 19-20 at the Chancellor Hall, UBD. The competition is a continuation of two previous Asean Inter-Varsity Musabaqah Tilawah Al-Quran organised by UBD in 1998 and 2006.

Held in conjunction with UBD’s 25th Anniversary, it also serves as a positive support towards objectifying UBD’s motto – ‘Towards Human Perfection’. In a welcoming address by the Dean of Students of the Student Affairs Unit of UBD, Dk Dr Nurolaini binti Pg Haji Muhammad Kifli as the event chairperson said the competition, which carries the theme ‘Al-Quran as the Catalyst of Community Integration’, aims to elevate al-Quran as a guide towards Bruneian way of living; to increase understanding of the teaching in al-Quran; to produce potential and quality Qari and Qariah; and to integrate students among Asean universities.

In her speech, she further expressed her hopes that university students will utilise al-Quran as a guide in their everyday life. “Muslim scholars should possess themselves with Islamic religious knowledge as this can lead to a deeper stance and faith. By capitalising in faith, Islamic scholars in the region will have the potential to be the best contributors of peace and prosperity to their respective nations and community”.

Two Qari and Qariah from UBD; one Qari and Qariah from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (Brunei), Kolej Universiti Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan (Brunei); one Qariah from Universiti Malaysia Sabah; one Qari from Universiti Putra Malaysia and Insitut Teknologi Brunei are taking part in the two-day competition.

Present to officiate the opening of the Asean Inter-Varsity Musabaqah Tilawah Al-Quran 2011 yesterday at the Chancellor Hall, UBD was the Acting Vice Chancellor of UBD, Associate Professor Dr Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman. In her speech, she said, “Al-Quran is the most important source of knowledge. Excellence cannot be separated from it. Those who made use of al-Quran as their main source of knowledge will surely achieve a sense of fulfilment, excellence and security as al-Quran carries the role of rectifying our Aqidah by reminding us of our responsibilities to worship Allah; to be sincere in everything we do.”

She also said that knowledge is the main factor that saved humankind from darkness. “The Arabs became a respected community upon the arrival of Islam while Europeans shifted from the Dark Ages to the era of Science and Technology as soon as Islam arrived in Spain. Because of this, Islam is very particular about knowledge, whereby once in the past, Islam was known to bring wisdom to Medina, Damsyiq, Qurduba, Baghdad, Cairo and Istanbul.”

The closing ceremony which is scheduled to take place on July 21 will be attended by Minister of Education, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong.