State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned highlighted the importance of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) in strengthening Islamic and cultural values as well as the role of a dialogue in raising questions and finding the correct answers.
He said this during the inauguration of the 15th Borneo-Kalimantan Regional Dialogue organised by the Brunei Darussalam Association of Writers (ASTERAWANI) in collaboration with the Language and Literature Bureau (DBP), the Secretariat of the Malay Islamic Monarchy Supreme Council and the PUTRA Seni Group recently.
The dialogue, themed ‘Malay Islamic Monarchy strengthening Islamic literature and regional cultural values’, was held at Balai Sarmayuda, DBP in Berakas.
Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman attended as the guest of honour.
The ceremony began with a welcoming address by the ASTERAWANI Chairman Professor Ampuan Dr Haji Brahim bin Ampuan Haji Tengah, who is also the Co-Chair of the 2023 Borneo-Kalimantan Regional Dialogue.
In his speech, the chairman said the dialogue was held to explore the shared cultural heritage to enhance and strengthen the bonds among Borneo-Kalimantan communities.
The event saw a poetry recitation by the guest of honour, who is known in the Malay literature world as Badaruddin H O.
Two books Anthology of Poetry from the Borneo-Kalimantan Regional Dialogue and Bruneian Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) Heritage: Strengthening Islam, Continuity, and Challenges were also launched at the event. – Adib Noor
