Monday, 3rd August 2026/19 Safar 1448 – As part of the 38th Convocation celebrations, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) held its annual Doa Kesyukuran (Thanksgiving Prayers) and Khatam Al-Quran Ceremony, bringing together graduating students and invited guests at the Masjid Universiti.
Gracing the occasion as the guest of honour was Deputy Minister of Education Dato Seri Paduka Dr Awang Haji Norarfan Haji Zainal. Also in attendance were UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri Haji Kifle, staff, graduates, and invited guests.
Held as part of Pesta Konvo 2026, the ceremony brought together 260 graduating students for the Khatam Al-Quran, followed by the Takhtim, Dikir Marhaban, and thanksgiving prayers. The event provided an opportunity for graduates and the University community to offer prayers of gratitude and seek blessings for the graduates’ future endeavours as they embark on the next stage of their personal and professional journeys.
The annual ceremony forms an important part of UBD’s convocation celebrations, reflecting the University’s continued emphasis on recognising academic achievement alongside spiritual reflection and thanksgiving. It also provides an opportunity for graduates, their families, and the University community to come together in appreciation of the graduates’ accomplishments. The ceremony joins a host of various religious activities and events throughout the year, with one of the most prominent being the Quranic Journey programme.
Held every Friday throughout the academic year, the Quranic Journey programme provides students with guided talaqqi sessions, recitation practice and tadabbur discussions in preparation for the annual Khatam Al-Quran ceremony.
One of the participants, Nur Alvina Muhammad Syazni, a graduating Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology student had the opportunity to lead her fellow colleagues as a pembimbing (guide) during the Quranic Journey talaqqi session where students practise reciting the Al-Quran in small groups. She shared that the role was challenging because in order to help others, she needed to learn as well. “Over time, it gets easier,” she said.
The tadabbur sessions have been a welcome element to the programme. “They relate to many of our personal experiences and numerous challenges in life,” she added.
She further commented that both the Quranic Journey and the Khatam Al-Quran ceremony are great initiatives as it upholds the Islamic identity of Brunei Darussalam. As the Quranic Journey programme is also open to non-Muslims who are welcome to watch the live tadabbur sessions in a separate venue, she finds that the sessions are highly accessible especially for women who are unable to attend at Masjid Universiti.
For Muhammad Hafiz Al Faizal, a graduating Bachelor of Science in Biology student, the Khatam Al-Quran is particularly meaningful for final-year students and a great way to start the Convocation Ceremony. “It’s a good way for us to bring focus back on what is important,” he said. In addition to regular practice that has helped improve his recitation, he finds that the weekly sessions have also improved discipline.
His pembimbing (guide) for the talaqqi sessions was a friend, which made them more enjoyable. “It’s not very often that you recite the Al-Quran with friends,” he added.
The Doa Kesyukuran and Khatam Al-Quran Ceremony continues to be a longstanding tradition of UBD’s Convocation celebrations, marking an important milestone for graduating students while reinforcing the University’s commitment to holistic student development.
