BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam presented four awards to excellent youths and a non-governmental organisation at the 11th National Youth Day celebration at the International Convention Centre yesterday.
The presentation of the youth awards recognises and gives appreciation to the youth movements in Brunei, in support for the monarch’s titah and desire to encourage the youth in building and maintaining the spirit of volunteerism among the community.
The monarch was accompanied by HRH Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik.
The Sultan presented the Excellent Youth Award to Siti Huzzaimah Yadey Hj Rosli for her outstanding contribution in promoting youth development in religious knowledge as well as elevating the country’s name in the international arena through her successful participation in international Al-Quran competitions.
Nurizzatul Izzah Hj Abd Rahman, from Persatuan Kemajuan Insan (KESAN) or the Society for Human Development was awarded the Youth Service Award for her contribution to the community through her voluntary works and educational community programmes.
Yesterday’s event also saw the introduction of two new categories namely: Youth Leader Award and the Outstanding Project for Youth Association Award.
The Youth Leader Award was awarded to Mohammad Anwar Hj Mohammad, the founder of The Society for Community Outreach and Training (SCOT), while SCOT’s Green Exchange project was awarded the Outstanding Project for Youth Association Award.
Mohammad Anwar was awarded for his leadership which had led SCOT to conduct more than 20 community projects in the last four years.
Anwar Mohammad, Chairman of SCOT, receiving the Youth Leader Award. Photo: SCOT
SCOT’s Green Exchange project was awarded the Outstanding Project for Youth Association Award as it contained elements that promote development of creativity, innovation and community development.
Khairul Azmi Salleh, Vice Chairman of SCOT receiving the Outstanding Project for Youth Association Award for the Green Xchange Project. Photo: SCOT
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Hj Awg Halbi Hj Mohd Yusof in his capacity as the chairman of the celebration’s executive committee said the theme “Belia Berwawasan Pemangkin Transformasi” (Visionary Youth as Catalyst of Transformation) was chosen after taking into account the importance of youth to be educated, highly skilled and successful; capable of contributing to the measures implemented to create quality life for the people; and participate in generating a dynamic and resilient economy as part of the National Vision 2035.
“Transformation is a must in our efforts towards development. It is the youth of today that will chart transformative approaches in achieving these goals,” he said.
In an interview with The Brunei Times, Excellent Youth Award recipient Siti Huzzaimah Yadey advised youth to think positive and stay away from negative thoughts. “In addition to that, whatever we do we must always remember Allah SWT.”
The Al-Quran teacher under the Department of Islamic Studies, Ministry of Religious Affairs is no stranger to national and international Al-Quran competitions. She recently won third place in the 58th International Tilawah Al-Quran Competition.
Nurizzatul Izzah talked to The Brunei Times about the characteristics of excellent youth.
“The characteristics must be comprehensive not only in worldly affairs but also in akhirat (afterlife). As an excellent youth, we must be an example to other youth, in terms of akhlak (moral), attitude, the way we talk and our actions all must represent a youth that can be trusted,” she said.
Under KESAN, Nurizzatul Izzah conducted leadership training for 20 youths every Monday night at the Youth Centre in Bandar Seri Begawan to give awareness on what leadership is and how youth should exploit themselves.
The Brunei Times
Source: Brunei Times
Author: Rashidah HAB
Published Date: November 4th, 2016