Daniel Lim
Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman witnessed the conversion ceremony of an Iban family of six as they embraced the Islamic faith at a residence in Jalan Teripas, RPN Kampong Panaga yesterday.
Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd Tashim bin Pengiran Haji Hassan and Acting Belait District Officer Mohammad Yassin bin Haji Ahmed were also in attendance.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Sayyidul Istighfar and Surah Al-Fatihah led by Head of Mosque Affairs Office in the Belait District Imam Akop bin Haji Lamat, followed by the family reciting the Syahadah.
Head of the family, 61-year-old Badar anak Libau took the name Badar bin Abdul Malik, while his wife, 49-year-old Umbit anak Gak is now known as Nur Aisah binti Abdulah Gak.
Meanwhile, Bazrul anak Badar, 23, took the name Muhammad Bazrul bin Badar, while Suhaida anak Badar, 31; Saadiah anak Badar, 21; and Suhaila anak Badar, 19; chose Nursyiffa Syaida binti Badar, Nur Saadiyah binti Badar, and Nur Suhayla Shaffiyyah binti Badar as their new names.
Religious Development Officer at the Belait District Dakwah Unit Nur Huwaina binti Mamud delivered a brief Tazkirah on the meaning of Syahadah.
The minister presented gifts and a token of appreciation in the form of a replica of Qibla Direction Marker to the new convert. The ceremony proceeded with a Dikir Marhaban followed by the sprinkling of scented flowers, before concluding with the recitation of Doa Selamat by the Head of Mosque Affairs Office in the Belait District.
Since the start of the year, 286 individuals have embraced the Islamic faith across the nation, with 52 residing in the Belait District.
