His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to grace the National Level Nuzul Al-Quran Celebration at the International Convention Centre (ICC) last night.

One of the main highlights last night was the presentation of awards to winners of the National Al-Quran Verses Memorisation and Translation Competition for 1431 Hijrah in four categories - 'Below 10 years old in Category A', 'Under 15 years old in Category B', '14 Juz Open Category' (Memorisation of 14 parts of the Quran) in Category C, and '30 Juz Open Category' (Memorisation of the full 30 parts of the Quran).

Also gracing 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.

His Majesty and other members of the royal family were greeted upon arrival at the ICC by Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman, the Minister of Religious Affairs and Chairman of the religious event's high-level working committee.

The National Level Nuzul Al-Quran celebration began with the recital of al-Quran in Braille by Dayang Hajah Norul Ezzah binti Haji Emran, a student of Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. The translation of the reading was presented by Dyg Ummi Khuntum binti Haji Asmat.

After His Majesty delivered a 'Titah', the event presided with a special Ceramah (religious talk) on the benefits of memorising al-Quran by Awang Haji Abdul Rajid bin Haji Md Salleh, the Principal of Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

Some 122 participants registered to take part in this year's Hijrah Al Quran Verses Memorisation Competition. The top 19 competed amongst themselves in their respective categories in the final round on August 3 at the ICC.

Besides trophies and certificates, the winners of each category bagged cash prizes.

The 'Category A' champion, Awangku Md 'Ashim Afifi, won $1,500, while the first place winner of 'Category B', Dk Anisah Salwa bte Pengiran Hj Ibrahim, walked away with B$2,000.

The champion of 'Category C', Awg Md Najib bin Hj Aliakbar, received $2,800, while the first place winner of 'Category D', Ak Khairul Ikhwan bin Pengiran Alit, won $4,500.

Earlier, a Nashid (religious choir) performance was presented by students under the Tilawah Al-Quran Remaja Scheme of the Department of Islamic Studies, Ministry of Religious Affairs.

To bless the event, a 'doa selamat' was recited by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti. - Borneo Bulletin (28th August 2010)