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 attended the national-level Israk Mikraj celebration for 1444 Hijrah at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas 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; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah.
His Majesty and Their Royal Highnesses were greeted upon arrival by 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; Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, as the Chairman of the Executive Committee for Major Islamic Calendar Events for 1444 Hijrah; Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof; and Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, as well as executive committee members.
The religious ceremony began with the recitation of Al-Quran verses by Qari Champion of the National Al-Quran Reading Competition for Adults for 1443 Hijrah Mohammad Zul-Hafiz bin Tengah and its translation.
Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin said the importance of prayer and its advantages have been made the theme of the celebration because it is significant in the Israk Mikraj event of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The Minister of Religious Affairs added that prayer is the way to achieve success.
“Prayer must be carried out in a state of humility and according to the specific procedures and readings, starting from beginning to end,” he added.
The religious gathering continued with Selawat Ibrahimiyah by officers and staff of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, Mosque Affairs Department at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and PDS Abattoir Sdn Bhd.
Mosque Affairs Officer at Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Pengiran Ahmad Faris Ramadhani bin Pengiran Haji Sellahhuddin delivered a religious talk on ‘Patience, Endeavour, Trust and Supplicate when facing Tests: Prayer to gain Blessings of Allah the Almighty’, followed by a presentation on ‘Prayer to Receive Blessings of Allah the Almighty’ by mosque youth at the Mosque Affairs Department.
To bless the ceremony, State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned read the Doa Selamat.
