Brunei To Host Asia-Pacific Islamic Youth Conference

Written by Rasidah H A B
Tuesday, 05 January 2010

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei will be hosting the Asia-Pacific Islamic Youth Conference which will start on January 12 until 14 at The Rizqun International Hotel, Gadong.

The conference will bring together some 368 youth from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam and Laos.

Out of the total, 300 will represent the host country, comprising youths from various government ministries, departments, non-governmental organisations and higher educational institutions.

In a media conference yesterday, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) Hj Md Mandi POKDSDDLU Dato Paduka Hj Abdul Rahman, in his capacity as the chairperson of the conference, said the objective of the conference was to establish a platform for the exchange of ideas and discussion in shaping Islamic youth towards excellence in various aspects of life in line with teachings of Al-Quran. It was also aimed at disseminating the achievement of youths over the past 25 years of Brunei independence.

The conference, a collaboration between the MoRA and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, is held to commemorate Brunei National Day Silver Jubilee celebration.

According to Hjh Zasia Sirin, Senior Special Duties Officer at MoRA, who is also the co-head secretariat for the conference, the theme Unification of Islamic Youth in Generating Excellence was chosen to emphasise youth role in fostering close relationships among participating countries.

His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, is expected to grace the opening of the conference, while His Royal Highness Prince Hall 'Abdul 'Azim will officially close the conference on January 14.

A total of 19 papers will be presented during the conference which will be delivered in both Malay and English.

The conference will feature renowned religious figures in Brunei as well as speakers from Malaysia and Australia.

Among the speakers will include Syariah High Court Judge, Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Verna Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Salim Hj Besar who will be talking about solidarity among Muslim youths towards generating excellence.

The conference will also feature Nazirah Hussain, Director General at the Department of Policy Planning and Strategy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia and Tan Sri Professor Dr Md Kemal Hassan, professor at Malaysia's International Islamic University.

An Imam from Australia, Shady Alsuleiman will also share his experience on Sydney Muslim youth development programme aimed at building future leaders.

Hj Md Mandi expressed hopes that the conference would enhance Brunei's image internationally in its effort to propagate the teachings of Islam and foster closer relations among the youth, in generating the economy and prosperity in the region. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times