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Source: Media and Publisity Work Committe, 42nd National Day Celebration of Brunei Darussalam in 2026​

Photo: Pg Fawzy and Ehza, PSB

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Tuesday, 20 Ramadan 1447 / 10 March 2026 – The 42-time Khatam Al-Quran Ceremony, held as one of the side events in conjunction with the 42nd National Day Celebration of Brunei Darussalam in 2026, was conducted simultaneously today in all four districts. The main venue for the Brunei and Muara District was Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, Kampung Kiarong.

Present as the Guest of Honour was Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi Mohamad, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, led by the Guest of Honour, followed by the Khatam Al-Quran recitation starting from Surah Ad-Dhuha to Surah Al-Masad, led by students from the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Tahfiz Al-Quran Institute. This was followed by the Takhtim Al-Quran recitation, led by Yang Mulia Awang Mohammad Hafizuddin bin Mohammad Sainin, a student from Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College.

The Doa Khatam was then recited by a student of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Tahfiz Al-Quran Institute, followed by Dikir Marhaban performed by students from the Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University. The ceremony concluded with Doa Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara Brunei Darussalam, led by Yang Mulia Imam Awang Haji Hariz bin Haji Subuh, Head Imam of Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, Kampung Kiarong.

In the Belait District, the ceremony was held at Rancangan Perumahan Negara (RPN) Kampung Pandan Mosque. The Guest of Honour was Yang Mulia Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd Tashim bin Pengiran Haji Hassan, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs.

The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, led by the Guest of Honour, followed by the Khatam Al-Quran recitation from Surah Ad-Dhuha to Surah Al-Masad, led by Yang Mulia Awang Alif Muradi bin Azri, a Year 13 student from the Sixth Form Centre.

The Takhtim Al-Quran recitation was led by Yang Mulia Dayang Hajah Hamsiah binti Haji Mohd Hussein, a member of the Muslimah group of the Kampung Pandan RPN Mosque, while the Doa Khatam was recited by Yang Mulia Awangku Syazwan Sahah bin Pengiran Damit, a Year 7 student of Belait Arabic School.

The ceremony continued with Dikir Marhaban, led by Yang Mulia Awang Ahmeddani bin Haji Abdul Rahman, representing a joint group from the Kuala Belait Senior Citizens Activity Centre and Perdana Wazir Secondary School, and concluded with Doa Peliharakan Sultan and Brunei Darussalam, led by Yang Mulia Awang Abdul Qayyuum bin Haji Aminuddin, Imam of the Kampung Pandan RPN Mosque.

In the Tutong District, the ceremony took place at Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam Mosque, Kampung Sengkarai. The Guest of Honour was Yang Mulia Dato Seri Pahlawan Awang Sulaiman bin Alidin, Commissioner of Police of the Royal Brunei Police Force, Prime Minister's Office.

The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, followed by the Khatam Al-Quran recitation from Surah Ad-Dhuha to Surah Al-Masad, led by Yang Mulia Awang Muhd Syahmi bin Muhd Norawi, a student of Mahad Islam Brunei.

The Takhtim Al-Quran recitation was led by Yang Mulia Dayang Nur Damia Faqihah binti Mohd. Aji, a student of Sufri Bolkiah Secondary School. The Doa Khatam was recited by Yang Mulia Awang Haji Junadi bin Haji Sabtu, a member of the Tutong Senior Citizens Centre, followed by Dikir Marhaban led by a dikir group from Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque, Pekan Tutong.

The ceremony ended with Doa Peliharakan Sultan and Brunei Darussalam, led by Yang Mulia Awang Abd. Raqib bin Haji Awang, Imam of Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam Mosque, Kampung Sengkarai.

In the Temburong District, the ceremony was centred at RPN Kampung Rataie Mosque. The Guest of Honour was Yang Mulia Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, led by the Guest of Honour, followed by the Khatam Al-Quran recitation from Surah Ad-Dhuha to Surah Al-Masad, led by Yang Mulia  Awang Nazirul Aiman bin Abdullah.

The Takhtim Al-Quran recitation was led by Yang Mulia Awang Mohamad Zulkhairi bin Mohamad Azamy, the Bilal of the RPN Kampung Rataie Mosque, while the Doa Khatam was recited by Yang Mulia Awang Haji Md Asri bin Haji Timbang, Education Officer from the Islamic Studies Department.

The ceremony concluded with the Prayer for the Protection of the Sultan and Brunei Darussalam, led by Yang Mulia Awang Mahdini bin Khamis, Imam of the RPN Kampung Rataie Mosque.

The 42-time Khatam Al-Quran Ceremony involved more than 1,400 participants across the four districts. Participants included university students, students from Brunei Technical Education institutions, college and secondary school students, Arabic school students, members of youth and sports associations, youth movements, trainees from the Youth Development Centre, volunteers, mosque youth groups, members of senior citizens associations and activity centres, as well as qari and qariah (male and female Quran reciters).

The ceremony was organised to further enliven the 42nd National Day Celebration of Brunei Darussalam in 2026 with beneficial activities, especially the recitation of the Holy Quran, in line with the country's aspiration to make Brunei Darussalam a “Nation of Zikir" (remembrance of Allah).

Events like this also indirectly strengthen understanding and cooperation among agencies involved in youth development and community education, while encouraging greater participation of youth and society in religious activities.