Royalty grace 41st National Day prayers

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 a thanksgiving ceremony in conjunction with the 41st National Day celebration at Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque in the capital yesterday evening.

Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik.

The event was attended by senior government officials, including Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad. Also present were State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned and other high-ranking officials. His Majesty joined congregants in performing Maghrib prayers, led by Chief Syar’ie Judge Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar. This was followed by Sunnat Hajat prayers, the collective recitation of Surah Yaasiin, and a thanksgiving supplication.

Similar ceremonies were held simultaneously at mosques, suraus and religious halls across the country. In the Brunei-Muara District, major mosques included Jame ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Kampong Mentiri and Mohamed Bolkiah Mosque in Kampong Serusop. In the Belait District, key venues were Muhammad Jamalul Alam Mosque in Kuala Belait and Pekan Seria Mosque. The main mosques for Tutong and Temburong districts were Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Pekan Tutong and Utama Mohammad Salleh Mosque in Pekan Bangar. – Fadley Faisal