His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office in a sabda stressed on the importance for all parties to continue working together in fulfilling their respective roles towards strengthening the learning experience, study and internalisation of Al-Qur'an through an authentic and simple tadabbur approach. In his sabda at the National Level Nuzul Al-Quran Celebration for 1447 Hijrah, His Royal Highness also touched on the theme of this year's celebration, which is 'Mengukuhkan Pembelajaran Al-Qur'an dan Menghayati Ajarannya' or 'Strengthening the Learning of Al-Quran and Internalising Its Teachings', which is a continuation of His Royal Highness's Father's wish to emphasise Al-Qur'an as the core of life. The ceremony took place at the International Convention Centre, Berakas, 6th March night. Also in attendance were His Royal Highness' brothers, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik, and His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Mateen.

Upon arrival, His Royal Highness was 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; Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Awang Haji Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Awang Haji Othman, Minister of Religious Affairs; Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Retired Major General Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd. Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Defence; Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism; and Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid, Minister of Development as well as members of the Executive Committee for National Level Major Islamic Event Celebrations for 1447 Hijrah.

The reading of surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat was led by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Awang Haji Salim bin Haji Besar.

In his welcoming address, the Minister of Religious Affairs among other matters emphasised that efforts to study Al-Qur'an must be strengthened to make it not just reading and memorisation, but should also be with understanding.

The practice of Tadabbur Al-Qur'an, according to His Royal Highness, leads to the internalisation of three main concepts: TILAWAH, TA'LIM and TAZKIYAH.

His Royal Highness in the sabda also reminded that the role of a MUFASSIR or INTERPRETER of Al-Qur'an is a prestigious and noble position that requires mastery of knowledge and adherence to strict knowledge discipline.

The winners of the five categories of the National Musabaqah Al-Qur'an Memorisation and its Understanding for 1447 Hijrah presented their recitations as well as its understanding. Category 'A', memorisation of Juz or chapter 30 and its understanding for participants aged 13 and below.

Category B, memorisation of Surah Luqman, Surah As-Sajdah, Surah Yaasin, Surah Ar-Rahmaan, Surah Al-Waqi'ah, Surah Al-Jumu'ah, Surah Al-Mulk, Surah Al-Jinn and Surah Al-Insaan as well as the understanding of Surah Nuh, Surah Al-Muzzammil, Surah Al-Muddathir, Surah Al-Qiyamah and Surah Al-Mursalat for ages 14 and above.

Meanwhile, Category 'C', memorisation of Juz 1 to Juz 4 as well as the understanding of Surah Al-Hijr and Surah An-Nahl, open to all ages.

Category 'D', memorisation of Juz 1 to Juz 15 as well as the understanding of Surah Al-Ahqaf, Surah Muhammad and Surah Al-Fath, open to all ages.

Category 'E', memorisation of 30 Juz as well as the understanding of Surah Maidah and Al- An'am, open to all ages.

His Royal Highness then presented prizes and souvenirs to the participants. Champion of Category A was Dayang Nur Syifa Hasanah binti Mohammad Fikri who received a cash prize of BND1,500. Second place went to Dayang Nur Saffiyyah Azzahra binti Hafiz, and in third was Dayang Nur Sarah Basyirah Binti Mohammad Fikri.

This was followed by the champion of Category B, Dayang Ainaa Zunah Insyirah binti Haji Abdul Manap who received a BND2,000 cash prize. In second place was Dayangku Wajihah binti Pengiran Khairul Nazri and Dayang Siti Nur Darwisyah binti Sabli came in third place.

Meanwhile, emerging champion of Category 'C' was Dayang Siti Nurzawanah binti Mohammad Saidin, receiving a cash prize of BND2,800. Dayangku Siti Huwaida Kareemah binti Pengiran Mohd Helmy was in second place while in third place was Dayang Atiqah Munirah binti Haji Muamat.

Receiving a cash prize of BND3,500 was the champion of Category D, Dayang Ameerah Batrisyia @ Sarah Huwaina binti Haji Amir Hisham. In second place was Dayang Nur Sofiyyah Solehah binti Mohammad Fikri and Awang Muhamad Faiz Najwan bin Muhamad Saleh came in third.

The winner of Category E, Awang Ahmad Huzaifah bin Haji Awang Hasbi received a cash prize of BND5,000. Second place was Awang Mohammad Afif Fikry bin Haji Abu Bakar and in third was Awang Muhammad Amin Yusof bin Muhammad Arifin.

This year's ceremony was jointly organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Development, the MABIMS Centre for Al-Qur'an Studies and Dissemination and Brunei Darussalam Central Bank.