Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, as Chairman of the Board of Advisors of the World Association for Al-Azhar Graduates, presented donations to orphans among the Al-Azhar alumni and residents of Kampong Panchor Mengkubau yesterday.
The presentation took place at a Doa Kesyukuran ceremony, held in conjunction with World Al-Azhar Al-Sharif Day, organised by the World Association for Al-Azhar Graduates at An-Na’im Mosque, RPN Kampong Panchor Mengkubau.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Sayyidul Istighfar and Surah Al-Fatihah, led by the minister, followed by ‘Kalam Azhari’, a short lecture delivered by Mosque Affairs Officer Muhammad Tsuufiy bin Haji Abd Wahab.
Following the presentation of donations to the orphans, the minister presented a waqaf from the alumni community, in the form of specialised floor chairs, to An-Na’im Mosque.
The ceremony continued with a Tedarus Al-Quran session, led by Deputy State Mufti Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Japar bin Haji Mat Dain @ Maidin, followed by the recitation of Tahlil and prayers, led by Mosque Affairs Officer Muhammad Saifullah bin Rosli. The recitation of the Doa Kesyukuran and Doa Peliharakan Sultan followed, led by Pengiran Ahmad Faris Ramadhani bin Pengiran Haji Sellahuddin, and the ceremony concluded with a communal iftar followed by the congregational Maghrib prayer.
The Doa Kesyukuran ceremony aimed to express gratitude for the contributions of Al-Azhar University to Muslims since its establishment in 971CE, and to commemorate the services of scholars who have greatly contributed to the progress of the nation, ensuring the continued flourishing and prosperity of Islamic identity.
It also aimed to unite former students of the university in Brunei Darussalam and to strengthen friendships and cooperation among members of the World Association for Al-Azhar Graduates in the country.
Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd Tashim bin Pengiran Haji Hassan, Ra’es of the World Association for Al-Azhar Graduates Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Orang Kaya Maharaja Lela Haji Yussof and Vice Ra’es I of the World Association for Al-Azhar Graduates Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal were also present. – Lyna Mohamad
