The competition is held to uphold the Titah of 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 during
the Third ASEAN Summit for the Heads of State in Manila from 14th until 15th
December 1987, in which His Majesty expressed the essential of Brunei Darussalam
to play an active role in the launching of the ASEAN Youth Exchange Programme.
The Southeast Asian Youth Al-Quran Reading Competition is organized biennially
for youths aged 18 to 30 years. The first competition was in the year 2000.
The 8th Southeast Asian Youth Al-Quran Reading Competition this year will see
the participation of youths from Timor Leste for the first time.