His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam last night expressed great pleasure on the recent developments of Quran reading in the Sultanate where more Tedarus activities are being carried out in the holy month of Ramadhan and one of the country's woman Quran readers nearly clinched the top spot in a recent international Quran reading competition in Kuala Lumpur.

His Majesty made this observation while delivering a Titah during the Nuzul Al-Quran Celebration National Level.

Also attending the event were HRH Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, HRH Prince Haji 'Abdul 'Azim, HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik and HRH Prince 'Abdul Mateen.

In his Titah marking the Nuzul Al-Quran or revelation of the Holy Quran at the International Convention Centre in Berakas, the Monarch said the Holy Quran is a Mukjizat (divine emulation or miracle). A Mukjizat is an extraordinary phenomenon granted by Allah the Almighty to His prophets and His messengers, and the Quran is a Mukjizat granted by Allah the Almighty to Prophet Mohammad (pbuh).

The characteristics of Mukjizat is astonishing and cannot be defeated or challenged by any other. This is especially so with the Quran, even only in one short line, nothing can be created similarly, left alone to defeat it.

Isn't this clearly indicated that we as the Ummah (Muslims) are fortunate to have it in our possession compared to others? The Quran, His Majesty said, is the light, our treasure and saviour in this world and the next (in Akhirat).

Quran is the light, because it contains various guidelines all of which are brought to us by Allah the Almighty.

It is our treasure, His Majesty said, because it is the food of our soul, medicine and blessing as well as that which provides us with Pahala (rewards from Allah the Almighty). Those who recite the Quran will have all these without doubt.

The more we recite the Quran, the richer we become.

The Quran is also a saviour, because does it not therapeutically, provide protection and Syafa'at to those who reads it, observed His Majesty.

His Majesty said, as heirs to the Quran, we should be grateful. For this, Muslims should make themselves busy with the Quran and study it.

In the Titah, His Majesty expressed thankfulness to Allah the Almighty, because recently His Majesty's Government introduced a Diploma Course in 'Aaliah Qira-aat, offered by Institut Tafiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

This study is no doubt, His Majesty assured, is a branch of knowledge from the Holy Quran and has become the Fardhu Kifayah (knowledge that is required of the Muslim community) for the country.

In this context, His Majesty expressed pleasure at the Tedarus activities throughout the month of Ramadhan, is participated by all walks of life in the society. His Majesty said this indicated good progress in the development of Quran reading activities in the country.

Recently, one of Brunei's women Quran readers nearly clinched the top spot at an international Quran reading in Kuala Lumpur. But clinching second place in that competition was still a remarkable achievement since our reader was not far behind. The difference in marks between the first and second place was only 0.91 points.

Hence let us congratulate her for the outstanding achievement, His Majesty urged.

The country has also taken part in the International Quran Memorisation both regionally and internationally, something that has not happened within the past two or three decades.

In short, Brunei has reached promising developments in Quran reading and His Majesty expressed hope that Bruneians will not cease to enrich themselves with the knowledge of the Holy Quran.

His Majesty added, that this enrichment should not only be for the sake of achieving a score in a competition, but what is more important is the studying of Al-Quran at school and academic institutions must also be strengthened.

His Majesty urged the country to march forward to become the nation of Zikir, embedded by the strength of the Holy Quran.

"Let it be the pulse of our life, so as to generate a big strong heritage for the nation," His Majesty added. - Borneo Bulletin (28th August 2010)