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, and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam graced the 79 Times Khatam Al-Qur'an Ceremony by Mukim and Village Consultative Council Members, as well as School and Higher Education Institution Students Nationwide. Held in conjunction with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's 79th Birthday Celebration, the ceremony took place at the Banquet Hall, Istana Nurul Iman, 2nd August afternoon.
Upon arrival, His Majesty and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri were greeted by: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris bin Pengiran Maharaja Lela Pengiran Muda Abdul Kahar, Chief of Adat Istiadat Negara as the Co-Advisor of the Celebration's National Committee; Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Minister of Home Affairs; and Co-Chairpersons of the Celebration's National Committee as well as their respective spouses.
Also present were His Majesty's sons, brothers, daughters and sisters:
- His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah;
- His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik, and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi'atul 'Adawiyyah;
- His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah;
- His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah;
- Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah;
- Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah;
- Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah;
- Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna;
- And Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam, as well as other members of the Royal Family.
The reading of Surah Al-Fatihah was led by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Doctor Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, State Mufti.
The Khatam Al-Qur'an reading was led by Awang Muhammad Ishqal Ezairy @ Abdul Mateen Bin Mohammad Shahruni, Champion of the Nationwide Inter-Secondary School and Colleges Musabaqah Zainul Quran 2024.
The One thousand seven hundred and eight Khatam Al-Qur'an participants comprise members of Mukim and Village Consultative Councils nationwide as well as students from Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Tahfiz Al-Qur'an Institute, and the Youth Tilawah Al-Qur'an Scheme.
The ceremony also involved children aged 12 and below representing religious schools under the purview of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. This included Arabic schools and Al-Falah School, students of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Khatam Al-Qur'an Scheme; as well as students from schools under the purview of the Ministry of Education and higher education institutions nationwide.
Officers and religious teachers from the Islamic Studies Department recited the Takhtim. This was followed by the reading of Tahlil by officers from the Mosque Affairs Department. Doa Khatam was read by Awang Abdul Hakim bin Amir, Champion of the Al-Qur'an Reading Competition for the Alif Tarannum Category. Dikir Marhaban was presented by mosque officers from the Mosque Affairs Department, as well as officers and religious teachers from the Islamic Studies Department. Doa selamat was read by the State Mufti.
As a special pasambah for the beloved Monarch, the ceremony reflected the love and loyalty towards His Majesty.
