Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam graced a women’s assembly to mark Maulidur Rasul at Royal Berkshire Hall, Royal Brunei Polo and Riding Club in Jerudong yesterday.
Accompanying Her Majesty were Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah binti Dato Haji Nasir, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam.
Her Majesty and members of the royal family were greeted on arrival by Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman as Chairman of the Executive Committee for major Islamic calendar events; Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Chief Syar’ie Judge Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd Tashim bin Pengiran Haji Hassan and Ra’es of Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) Dr Haji Adanan bin Haji Basar.
The religious gathering, organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), the Women’s Council and KUPU SB, began with the recitation of Al-Quran by the winner of National Al-Quran Reading Competition for Adults for 1444 Hijrah Dr Siti Wardah binti Major (Rtd) Haji Abdul Rahman, followed by a speech from Acting Assistant Ra’es of KUPU SB Dr Hajah Norwati binti Haji Abu Bakar.
She said this year’s celebration was themed ‘Sunnah Dihayati, Hidup Diberkati’ and the proof of faith is to follow the examples of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and obey his commands and prohibitions. This will lead to a fulfilled life with blessings from Allah the Almighty.
The event continued with a Dikir by officers and staff from the MFA, the MoHA and Women’s Council. There was also a religious talk by assistant professor at the Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali Dr Umi Faizah binti Haji Abdul Rahman, who said Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) struggles and his companion’s loyalty, faith and obedience led to the spread of Islam, growing respect for Muslims, protection for the oppressed and enlightenment for the ignorant.
She said following the teachings of Al-Quran and Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) Sunnah is the way to happiness, peace and safety. Dr Umi Faizah said good morals and commendable practices are essential for love, unity and cooperation while social issues such as broken family structure are due to not following Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) teachings and examples.
The event continued with the recitation of Selawat by students at Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, before concluding with a Doa Selamat, recited by senior religious officer of the MoRA’s Mosque Affairs Department Noraini Yanti binti Haji Hussin. – Azlan Othman
