International Volunteer Day is celebrated every year on December 5. The event provides a unique opportunity for volunteers and organisations to celebrate their efforts, share and promote their work and contribute to peace and development by recognising volunteers and integrating them into development programmes.
In Brunei Darussalam, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports will hold a Day of Action campaign in conjunction with the International Volunteer Day celebration. To mark the occasion, a Doa Kesyukuran ceremony was held at the Ash-Shaliheen Mosque yesterday.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad was the guest of honour.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Selawat Tafrijiyyah, led by Mosque Affairs Officer Haji Mohammad Izzat Izzuddin bin Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Haji Emran.
This was followed by a tazkirah titled ‘Diversity of Volunteers, Strengthening the Community,’ delivered by Religious Development Officer at the Islamic Da’wah Centre Haji Awang Muhammad Najib bin Haji Awang.
The religious event continued with congregational Asar prayer led by the mosque affairs officer.
The ceremony concluded with the Doa Kesyukuran, Doa for the Palestinian people, Doa Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara Brunei Darussalam, all led by the Mosque Affairs Officer.
In addition to the Doa Kesyukuran ceremony, other events held in conjunction with International Volunteer Day this year include the Volunteer Festival Day, scheduled for today until December 8 at the Mumong Sports Complex in the Belait District and the Volunteer Marathon Activity, which started on November 11 and will run until January 31, 2025.
This year’s Day of Action campaign features nine programme clusters: Animal Rights; Community; Social Entrepreneurship; Arts and Culture; Youth Development; Education; Green Initiatives; Disaster Relief; and Spirituality and Religion. Over 100 activities have been organised for the Day of Action 2024 Campaign throughout the country, involving various government agencies, the private sector, youth associations, non-governmental organisations, village consultation councils and schools.
Registration for participation in Day of Action activities opened on September 12 and will close on January 16, 2025. Further information about the Day of Action campaign can be found through the Mengalinga app. – Fadhil Yunus
