THE Ministry of Religious Affairs is inviting Quran readers to participate in the National Level Al-Quran Memorisation and Understanding Competition 1433 Hijrah to be held soon.

According to a statement issued by the ministry yesterday, the competition, an annual project of the ministry, is to highlight one of the major Islamic events as a part of the Nuzul Al-Quran Celebration.

The competition is divided into four categories: Category "A" is open to contestants aged 10 years and below on January 2, 2012 and has never been a winner in the category.

Contestants in this category will have to memorise Surah Al-Insyiqaaq, Surah Al-Buruuj, Surah Ath-Thariq, Surah Al-A'laa, Surah Al-Ghasyiyah, Surah Al-Balad, Surah Sya-Syams and Ayat-Ayat Lazim (short Quranic verses) beginning from Surah Ad-Dhuha until Surah An-Nas as well as the understanding of Surah Al-Buruuj.

Category 'B' is for contestants aged 15 years old and below (as of January 1).

They are required to memorise Surah As-Sajdah, Surah Yaasiin, Surah Ad-Dukhan, Surah Al Hasyr and Surah Al-Mulk as well as an understanding of Surah Al-Kahfi. Candidates must never have won this category before and is not a student from any Al-Quran tahfiz institute. Category "C", open to all ages. Contestants are required to memorise from Juz (chapter) one to 15 as well as possess an understanding of Juz six. In order to participate in this category, contestants must not have won first place for three years consecutively. They also must not have participate in Category "D" in competitions being held from 2006 onwards and has never receive allowances from "Ujian Tasmie' Menghafaz Al-Quran Negara Brunei Darussalam"in the 20 Juzu' and 30 Juzu' Categories.

The last category, Category "D" requires contestants to memorise all 30 chapters of the Quran as well as possess an understanding on Juz 17. The category is open to all, however contestants must never have won first place in the category for three years in a row. The contest is open to Muslim citizens or permanent residents of the country, the statement said. Each contestant is only allow to participate in one category in a year.

The competition forms can be obtained from Al-Quran Learning and Dissemination Centre Mabims, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Block 2H level eight, Ong Sum Ping Condominium, Jalan Ong Sum Ping. They must be returned not later than March 5, at 4pm. Further information can be obtained by contacting 2233364 and 2233365. Syazwan Sadikin The Brunei Times