In welcoming the keynote speakers, foreign guests, and presenters of the Persidangan Antarabangsa Manuskrip Islam 2025, a Dinner Reception was held at the Ruang Legar, Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (BKISHHB) last night.
Present as the guest of honour was the Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Defence, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Mejar Jeneral (B) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd. Yussof, who also serves as Chairman of the Advisory Board of BKISHHB.
The event began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and a prayer led by Imam Tingkat I, Masjid Al-Muhtadee Billah, Kampung Sungai Kebun, Awang Muhd. Arif bin Haji Johari, followed by a recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an by Awang Mohammad Syafiq bin Mohammad Suhardi, a student from Kolej Universiti Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan (KUPU SB). The summary of the verses was read by Awang Muhammad Nur Nasrullah bin Abdullah Abdul Razak, a student from Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA).
The Director of BKISHHB, Dr. Haji Awang Mohammed Hussain bin Pehin Penyurat Haji Awang Ahmad, who also serves as Co-Chair of the Working Committee for the Persidangan Antarabangsa Manuskrip Islam, in his speech explained that the smooth running of the Opening Ceremony of the Persidangan Antarabangsa Manuskrip Islam 2025 was not only the result of the hard work of the Working Committee members but also driven by unwavering support and close collaboration from strategic partners—three local higher education institutions: Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), UNISSA, and KUPU SB—who played key roles in the successful organization of the conference.
He expressed his hope that the shared success in organizing such a significant event would motivate UBD, UNISSA, and KUPU SB to continue offering sustained support and to further encourage close collaboration in areas aligned with the functions and role of BKISHHB.
The event proceeded with the presentation of plaques and certificates to presenters and moderators of the Persidangan Antarabangsa Manuskrip Islam 2025, officiated by the guest of honour. The Persidangan Antarabangsa Manuskrip Islam, themed “Manuskrip Islam: Jambatan Antara Masa Lalu Dan Masa Depan” (Islamic Manuscripts: A Bridge Between the Past and the Future), is held from 21 to 24 June 2025. It is also part of the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition 2025 (Brunei MYCE 2025).
Among the objectives of the Persidangan Antarabangsa Manuskrip Islam is to introduce and raise awareness about the importance of Islamic manuscripts as a bridge that connects the intellectual and cultural heritage of the past with the future of the Muslim community. Also present at the event were members of the BKISHHB Advisory Board.
