Visiting the mosque and witnessing solat performed and engaging with the guide, Atikah, were among the main highlights for Sri Lankan student D S Nayanatara Mendis.
The 34-year-old was among a group of non-Muslims participating in the Iftar Mahabbah and Mosque Tour Programme, organised by As-Syahadah Muallaf Youth, a youth convert group under the Youth Religious Programme (PKB) of the Islamic Da’wah Centre (PDI), Ministry of Religious Affairs.
This was her second time attending the event. While she had visited Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah many times as a student ambassador for various GDP programmes at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), sharing a light iftar with the local community was her first time and a dream come true.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to break fast with members of the UBD International Students Club, who were also present alongside the Muslim community,” said the final-year UBD student, majoring in Business Administration with a minor in History and International Studies.
Meanwhile, Filipino student Jeaneferlyn Bustarde had always wanted to experience the atmosphere of breaking fast with the local community in a mosque.
The Iftar Mahabbah Programme provided a chance for her to witness how the Muslim community breaks the fast and performs prayers while also appreciating the mosque’s beautiful interior architecture.
She found the event engaging and expressed hope that it would be conducted more frequently, particularly for tourists to experience the Muslim way of life firsthand rather than relying on unreliable sources.
“The programme met its objectives in showing the non-Muslim community that Islam is a religion that values kinship and kindness towards non-Muslims, regardless of religion or race. Everyone seemed to understand Islam better after the tour,” she said.
Overall, she described it as a great opportunity, adding that the event was well-organised, with attentive guides ready to answer the participants’ questions. Another participant shared that attending Iftar Mahabbah for the first time since its inception seven years ago was a valuable experience.
“As a non-Muslim, we were made aware of the daily way of life for Muslims, especially during Ramadhan, where the community comes together in prayer and fasting,” said Petsy George.
During the programme, she also learned about the history of prayers in Islam, including how the number of daily prayers was reduced from 50 to five, as well as the process of ablution before prayer.
“The mosque’s architecture was breathtaking and our guide, Atiqah, explained the principles of being a Muslim. I encourage others to engage with different cultural and religious communities to promote understanding and unity. The ambience was serene and calming, and I appreciate the warm hospitality of the people in the mosque,” she added.
Earlier, non-Muslim attendees participated in the Mosque Tour Programme, which began with the recitation of Sayyidul Istighfar, followed by welcoming remarks from the chairman of As-Syahadah Muallaf Youth and a briefing on Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah. – Lyna Mohamad
