Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman launched two publications of the Suri Seri Begawan Raja Pengiran Anak Damit (SSBRPAD) Mosque in Kampong Manggis/ Madang yesterday.
The minister was present as the guest of honour and as a patron of the mosque’s 10th
anniversary committee.
The event began with a mass recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Imam Khaizuran Amali bin Haji Kamsani, followed by the welcoming remarks by Chairperson of the mosque’s memorabilia publications committee Haji Mohd Yusof bin Haji Abdul Rahman.
Prior to the launch, a book review of the publications was delivered by Brunei History Centre (PSB) Principal Dr Haji Muhammad Hadi bin Muhammad Melayong.
It proceeded with the minister launching the two publications – Kenangan Masjid Suri Seri Begawan Raja Pengiran Anak Damit Kampong Manggis Madang, a book by the publication committee chaired by Haji Mohd Yusof bin Haji Abdul Rahman and Dari Serambi Mekah: Pembisaian Masjid Suri Seri Begawan Raja Pengiran Anak Damit Manggis Madang, by Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong.
The Kenangan Masjid Suri Seri Begawan Raja Pengiran Anak Damit Kampong Manggis Madang is a special publication marking the 10th anniversary celebration of the mosque which contains the construction background of the mosque which began on July 12, 2012 and was officially used on July 18, 2014.
It records most of the activities carried out by the mosque’s takmir committee to improve the mosque through knowledge gathering programmes, Al-Quran learning, celebrations of major Islamic events, plans to care for orphans and those in need of assistance as well as social and recreational programmes for the past 10 years.
The minister contributing in the Sekapur Sireh column in the book, stated that the mosque congregation in the spirit of good understanding between the mosque officials, inside and outside the mosque takmir committee, are united and of one mind to the mosque’s prosperity with worship and welfare activities and other religious activities and is responsive to the people’s needs.
He noted that after 10 years, the mosque’s takmir committee has taken the initiative to launch a project to beautify the mosque’s interior and exterior with tiles inscribed with calligraphy of Al-Quran verses and carvings with mangosteen and madang motifs.
Meanwhile, the other publication, authored by Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abu Bakar, recorded the experiences, observations of a group of members of the mosque takmir committee in the silaturrahim track, carrying out a visit to Aceh and Medan in Indonesia and the Restu Foundation in Malaysia from October 28 to November 3, 2023, witnessing the situation in Aceh up close and observing the changes and developments in the socio-economic-political and social life in the region after the tsunami.
The trip to Aceh and Medan provided the group members the opportunity to increase knowledge and gain experience in observing the management of several mosques and Islamic boarding schools and meeting with religious scholars, including a visit to the Baitulrahman Mosque, which was not affected by the tsunami disaster.
The members also visited the Brunei Darussalam Mosque, built with the contributions of the people and residents of the country during the tsunami.
He noted that the trip provided knowledge on the strong spirit, perseverance and commitment of individuals and corporations in shouldering the responsibility in developing human resources in education through investment in afterlife through waqaf and infaq to build mosques, tahfiz institutions and Islamic boarding schools.
During the visit to Nasyrul Quran, Restu Foundation, the delegation members witnessed the second largest Al-Quran printing centre in the world and the capabilities of the foundation in producing tiles with Islamic art motifs as interior decoration for mosques.
The visit increased the delegation members’ commitment to revive the mosque’s interior decoration plans in place since 2019 and became a reality this year.
The minister presented the books to government representatives and main libraries.
The event concluded with the presentation of souvenirs to Dr Haji Muhammad Hadi and the recitation of Doa Selamat.
The two publications will be available for sale to the public. – Lyna Mohamad