SABDA
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE
HAJI AL-MUHTADEE BILLAH IBNI HIS MAJESTY
SULTAN HAJI HASSANAL BOLKIAH MU'IZZADDIN WADDAULAH,
THE CROWN PRINCE
SENIOR MINISTER AT THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE
During the Opening Ceremony of the 8th Southeast Asian Youth Al-Quran Reading Competition 1439/2017
Assalamu`alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem
Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘Alameen, Wassalaatu Wassalaamu ‘Alaa Asyrafil Mursaleen,
Sayyidinaa Muhammadin, Wa’alaa Aalihee Wasahbihee Ajma’een, Waba’du.
Praises be upon Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala for with His blessings,
we are able to attend the 8th Southeast Asian Youth Al-Quran Reading Competition tonight.
This beneficial and blessed event is another product of a far-sighted vision
and wise leadership of my father in strengthening the eminence of Islam,
especially in elevating the knowledge and art of reading the Al-Quran among the youths in this region.
The main goal is very clear; it serves as a platform for uniting Southeast Asian’s generation of youth
to interact, and share knowledge and experience towards attaining the blessings of Al-Quran.
This is taking into account that these regional youths are of different socio- cultural backgrounds.
I am very convinced that this Competition will boost the spirit
of ukhuwah and solidarity of the ummah which will lead towards a peaceful and
progressive regional development blessed by Allah the Almighty.
At the same time, the hosting of this competition is in hope of producing
future youth leaders who are virtuous, knowledgeable and of firm
spiritual values in all aspects, especially in matters of state administration.
Alhamdulillah, I am very pleased to note
a prevailing awareness and inclination among the Islamic community
to start the Al-Quran hafazan and studies to their children from an early age until adolescence.
This is intended to equip them with good values and moral education
as well as the development of self-identity in facing the ever-changing life scenarios and challenges.
Such efforts are highly significant,
as the flows of globalization and the rapid dissemination of information in this digital era
have made an impact on the integrity of society, and influenced the attitudes
and challenged the intellects of the youth. Thus, they need to be given proper guidance.
In addition, I also would like to emphasize on the importance of the role
of the compulsory religious education system
in ensuring that the morality of the young generation can be a valuable source of asset and the core requirement
of the nation’s development and sustainable human resource.
It is undeniable that religious and faithful youths
reflect both the future of the Nation and solidarity across the region.
To achieve this, the regional generation of youth needs to cultivate awareness to continuously strive
and be ready to face challenges in order to improve themselves and the ummah.
The young generation ought to establish themselves as the driving force and builders of a distinguished
and well- respected civilization by both the regional and international community.
I would like to take this opportunity to urge all relevant parties, as a whole,
to continuously develop a regional youth development programme
which emphasizes both worldly and spiritual aspects
in empowering the contributions of the young generation
towards the excellence of the region’s ummah, culture and civilization.
With the kalimah Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,
sending peace and prayers upon our Prophet Muhammad Sallaallahu ‘Alaihi Wassalam,
I am pleased to officiate the 8th Southeast Asian Youth Al-Quran Reading Competition.
Wabillahi Taufik walhidayah, wassalamu ‘alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
