| Hakim Hayat |

TO FURTHER enhance Al-Quran education in the country, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has called for Al-Quran reading in religious schools to be extended to secondary schools nationwide.

In his titah delivered yesterday evening at the conclusion of the annual National Al-Quran Reading Competition for Adults at the International Convention Centre (ICC), His Majesty noted that the level of Al-Quran reading among Bruneians might be disparate, despite having a decent understanding of Al-Quran through the application of the subject in schools.

Formally, Al-Quran education is offered for the duration of at least six years in religious schools under the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA), while being a compulsory subject for the students enrolled in Arabic schools.

“I hope that Al-Quran education can also be extended to secondary schools under the Ministry of Education (MoE) and private schools. I would like to see students (in secondary schools) receiving Islamic Religious Knowledge, as well as specialised Al-Quran education,” said His Majesty.

The monarch expressed the hope that the relevant parties would come up with a practical initiative towards the constant development of Al-Quran reading skills, which he said is suited to the theme ‘Empowering Al-Quran Reading’ for this year’s competition.

In the titah, His Majesty also urged government ministries and departments to adopt an Al-Quran and Hadith-centric approach in its policies.

“To receive blessings in this life, we must return to Al-Quran. It is a book from Allah the Almighty and a guide to the right path. It is not enough to merely affirm the truth of Al-Quran. We must be willing to accept the direction, authority and laws of Al-Quran,” His Majesty said.

In this respect, His Majesty urged for efforts in national development to be based on the direction, authority and laws of Al-Quran while also calling upon government ministries, departments and sections to evaluate its policies, philosophy, mission, vision and goals as well as forming a strategic plan to run in accordance with the contents of Al-Quran and Hadiths.

“Hopefully with the initiatives and action from all parties, especially those concerned, everything will go as planned, and the task of empowering Al-Quran reading can be managed more effectively,” said the monarch.