Izah Azahari & Rokiah Mahmud
Three government ministries celebrated their officers and staff who are set for Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia during Doa Selamat ceremonies yesterday.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) held the ceremony for 16 officers and personnel at the ministry’s Multaqa Hall, where 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.
According to the MoRA, nine intending pilgrims are from the Islamic Studies Department, two from the Islamic Da’wah Centre (PDI), three from the Haj Management Department and one from the Religious Affairs Office in Temburong District.
The ceremony commenced with the recitation of Sayyidul Istighfar, Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat led by Haji Abdul Aziz bin Haji Abdul Ghani.
At the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof attended the ceremony and presented contributions to four intending Haj pilgrims.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Imam Haji Mohammad Izzat Izzuddin bin Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Haji Emran.
Deputy ministers, permanent secretary, deputy permanent secretaries and senior officers at the PMO also attended the event.
Meanwhile, the Office of His Majesty the Sultan’s Flight organised the ceremony for intending pilgrims who are working for the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MoFE), at its theatre hall.
Acting Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Haji Khairuddin bin Haji Abdul Hamid was the guest of honour.
The event also saw a special lecture delivered by PDI Religious Development Officer Isham bin Ismail, followed by the handover of contributions to the intending pilgrims.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy Pengiran Hajah Zety Sufina binti Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Sani, Permanent Secretary (Policy and Fiscal) at the MoFE Hajah Norliah binti Haji Kula; Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB) managing director, heads of departments and divisions, officers and staff at the MoFE.
Intending Haj pilgrims in the Sultanate will depart for Saudi Arabia today and tomorrow.
