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Source : Press Release JAPEM

Photo : Md Aiman Sufyan - JAPEM

The Department of Community Development (JAPEM), Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), in collaboration with the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) and the Tutong District Senior Citizens Activity Centre (PKWE), held a Majlis Doa Kesyukuran in conjunction with the International Day of Older Persons 2025 this afternoon. The event took place at the Banquet Hall, Legislative Council Building.

The Guest of Honour at the ceremony was Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi Mohamad, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.

The event commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, followed by welcoming remarks delivered by Yang Mulia Dayang Fauziah binti Haji Mohd Salleh, Acting Director of the Department of Community Development and Chairperson of the event. This was followed by the speech from the Guest of Honour, Yang Berhormat the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, in conjunction with the International Day of Older Persons 2025.

The programme continued with a religious talk with a title of "Attaining Blessings in This World and the Hereafter", delivered by Yang Mulia Haji Badaruddin bin Haji Basar, Assistant Head of Division, Division of Spreading Da'wah (Counselling), Islamic Da'wah Centre. In his talk, the speaker emphasized the importance of gratitude for the blessing of life granted by Allah SWT. He stressed that this temporary life should be filled with strong faith and continuous devotion to Allah SWT. The audience was reminded of the need to reflect upon and appreciate the value of life as a divine trust, which requires sincerity and responsibility in fulfilling one's duties as a servant of Allah. True gratitude, he explained, is demonstrated through obedience to Allah's commands and avoidance of His prohibitions. Practical examples include performing prayers, reciting and internalising the Qur'an, giving charity, following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, and increasing acts of goodness. He concluded with the hope that these efforts will lead to a life full of blessings and ultimate success, both in this world and the Hereafter.

The highlight of the event was the announcement of the results of the Tilawatil Quran Recitation Competition for Senior Citizens Activity Centres, for the year 1447H/2025M. The announcement was made by Yang Mulia Awang Haji Abd Malik bin Haji Jumat, Mosque Affairs Officer and Chairman of the Panel of Judges appointed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The Champion for the male category (Qari) was Yang Mulia Awang Haji Junadi bin Haji Sabtu from the Senior Citizens Activity Centre (PKWE) Tutong District, while the Champion for the female category (Qariah) was Yang Mulia Dayang Hajah Amnah binti Md Yusof from PKWE Brunei and Muara District. Both winners received a trophy, certificate of participation, cash prize of BND500.00, cash vouchers and sponsored items from RHB Bank, Koleksi Husnaa (kain tenunan and Jong Sarat bag), Halimah Habib and Modessa.

The First Runner-Up (Qari) was Yang Mulia Ustaz Dr Zulkifli bin Haji Zakaria from PKWE Belait District, and the First Runner-Up (Qariah) was Yang Mulia Dayang Hajah Kasminah binti Gulam Muhammed from PKWE Brunei and Muara District. Each received a trophy, certificate of participation, BND300.00 in cash, cash vouchers and sponsored items from RHB Bank, Koleksi Husnaa, Halimah Habib and Modessa.

 The Second Runner-Up (Qari) was Yang Mulia Awang Haji Saifuzzaman bin Haji Apong from PKWE Temburong District, and the Second Runner-Up (Qariah) was Yang Mulia Dayang Jamaliah binti Haji Pudin from PKWE Tutong District. Both received a trophy, certificate of participation, BND100.00 in cash, cash vouchers and sponsored items from RHB Bank, Koleksi Husnaa, Halimah Habib and Modessa.

The event also featured a recitation performance by Qari and Qariah Champions, followed by a Prize and Certificate of Appreciation Presentation for the winners of Tilawatil Quran Recitation Competition, judges, and sponsors. The event concluded with a 'Doa Kesyukuran' and 'Doa Allah Peliharakan Sultan' recited by Yang Mulia Ustaz Haji Nuurmatin bin Haji Abu Bakar, Religious Teacher from Pusat Bahagia Brunei-Muara.

Also present at the ceremony were Members of the Legislative Council, Permanent Secretary (Culture), Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, senior officials from MCYS and MoRA, Penghulu-penghulu Mukim and Head of Villages, Managers and members of PKWE from across all districts, representatives from Wargamas Association, non-governmental organisations, sponsors and strategic partners of MCYS.​