Azlan Othman
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam joined hundreds of congregants in the inaugural nationwide Selawat Tafrijiyyah recitation ceremony at the focal point of Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque in the capital yesterday.
Also in attendance were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
His Majesty and members of the royal family were greeted on arrival by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud, as the co-chairperson of the Steering Committee for the nationwide event; Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman; State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned; and member of the Privy Council Pehin Orang Kaya Maharaja Diraja Dato Seri Paduka Haji Awang Abdul Wahab bin Haji Mohd Said.
Also greeting His Majesty and members of the royal family were Chief of Adat Istiadat Negara Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris bin Pengiran Maharaja Lela Pengiran Muda Abdul Kahar and executive committee members.
The religious gathering began with mass Zohor prayers led by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar who also led mass Sunnat Hajat prayers.
Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti said the nationwide Selawat Tafrijiyyah event was an effort to obtain a “divine vaccine“ against disasters, including COVID-19, by gaining blessings from Allah the Almighty.
The minister said during the Knowledge Convention in 2020 to mark His Majesty’s 74th birthday celebration and Hari Raya Aidiladha, His Majesty’s titah emphasied on the importance of Selawat Tafrijiyyah in receiving blessings “as we perform Selawat towards Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) which is a noble pious act to gain blessings from Allah the Almighty”.
The nationwide Selawat Tafrijiyyah event was organised by the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Religious Affairs and State Mufti’s Office.
The recitation of Selawat Tafrijiyyah was echoed around the mosque 11 times by officers and imams of Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Islamic Studies Department, undergraduates at Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) and Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB), students from Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, mosque takmir committee members, mosque youth, Muslim Converts Association and
youth Da’ie.
The gathering ended with a special Doa by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz.
Similar gatherings were also held simultaneously at Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in RPN Kampong Mentiri, Muhammad Jamalul Alam Mosque in Belait District, Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Tutong District and Utama Mohammad Salleh Mosque in Temburong District.
