TWO students, Muhd Khairul Anuar Hj Ahmad and Hj Nasrul Fahkri Hj Yahya, will be the first to represent Brunei in the Kuwait International Prize of the Holy Quran, which will run from March 11 to 21 in Kuwait.

This will mark the competition's sixth year and also the first time that Brunei has been invited to participate in the competition, which is organised by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs of Kuwait.

Muhd Khairul Anuar, a student from Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University (Unissa), and Hj Nasrul Fahkri from Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College (Maktab Duli) were selected by Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Hj Hassanal Bolkiah Institute to represent Brunei in the memorisation of 30 Quranic verses category and Quranic recitation category, respectively.

Speaking to The Brunei Times before taking off for Kuwait yesterday, Muhd Khairul Anuar said that he was very proud to have been selected and to represent his country.

He said that he was nervous, but would try to do his best in the competition. "I know it's an international level competition, but it's not impossible for us to win," he said.

Hj Nasrul, who is taking part in his first international competition, said that he was thankful to Allah (SWT) to have been chosen.

He said that although he does not have an Arabic school background, he has always enjoyed reciting the Quran from an early age.

Hj Nasrul also thanked the government for supporting him and for giving him such a big opportunity and responsibility.

Joining the two representatives as their coach and escort is Ustaz Pg Hj Haslin Pg Hj Mohd Ali, acting senior religious officer of the Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah.

The trip is funded by the Islamic Eminence Development Section under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the delegation is scheduled to return to Brunei on March 22.

Head of the Islamic Eminence Development Section Hj Mohammad Garing presented Muhd Khairul Anuar and Hj Nasrul with their allowance and tickets before the flight.

The Brunei Times