Azlan Othman & Adib Noor
National celebrations to mark the new Islamic year of 1444 Hijrah are set to be held at mosques, suraus and religious halls nationwide starting at 5pm tomorrow.
The focal points will be Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah in Kampong Kiarong, Kampong Pandan RPN Mosque in Kuala Belait, Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Pekan Tutong and Utama Mohammad Salleh Mosque in Temburong District.
Minister of Religious Affairs cum organising committee chairperson Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman oversaw rehearsals and preparations at Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah yesterday.
Chief Syar’ie Judge Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd Tashim bin Pengiran Haji Hassan, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) Haji Mohammad Rosli bin Haji Ibrahim and Deputy Permanent Secretary (Policy and Religious) at the MoRA Haji Mohd Serudin bin Haji Timbang also attended.
The ceremony will include the recitation of prayers to mark the end of the 1443 Hijrah year and the beginning of 1444 Hijrah year, as well as a religious talk. The theme for the new Islamic year of Year 1444 Hijrah national level celebration is ‘Patience, Endeavour, Trust and Prayer Facing the Test: Driving the National Vision’.
Government officials, congregants and members of the public are invited to attend the event, while observing to the health guidelines. They are advised to perform an ART screening at home before showing up at the mosque. The date and time as well as the individual’s name must be written on the ART result, which is then to be uploaded to the BruHealth app.
They are also urged to wear face masks and avoid shaking hands; to bring a large prayer mat; perform ablution before going to the ceremony; practise social distancing and to leave immediately after the ceremony.
