Bandar seri begawan: His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha attended the 79 Times Khatam AlQur’an Ceremony held in conjunction with the Sultan’s 79th birthday celebration. The event, which saw participation from Mukim and Village Consultative Council Members as well as students from schools and higher education institutions nationwide, took place at the Banquet Hall, Istana Nurul Iman.
According to Radio Television Brunei, the royal couple was greeted upon arrival by Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris, Chief of Adat Istiadat Negara, and Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin, Minister of Home Affairs, among other dignitaries. The ceremony was also attended by members of the royal family, including His Royal Highness Prince Haji AlMuhtadee Billah and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah, among others.
The event commenced with the reading of Surah AlFatihah, led by State Mufti Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Doctor Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned. Awang Muhammad Ishqal Ezairy, Champion of the Nationwide InterSecondary School and Colleges Musabaqah Zainul Quran 2024, led the Khatam AlQur’an reading. The ceremony included 1,708 participants from various councils and educational institutions, including young children from religious schools.
The Takhtim was recited by officers and religious teachers from the Islamic Studies Department, followed by the reading of Tahlil by the Mosque Affairs Department officers. Awang Abdul Hakim bin Amir, Champion of the AlQur’an Reading Competition for the Alif Tarannum Category, read the Doa Khatam. The event concluded with Dikir Marhaban and Doa selamat, read by the State Mufti, reflecting the participants’ love and loyalty towards His Majesty.