Azlan Othman, Daniel Lim & Adib Noor
The Maulidur Rasul assembly at the national level for 1444 Hijrah was held at Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque in the capital yesterday.
The event was graced by 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.
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; and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen were also in attendance.
Upon arrival, His Majesty and members of the royal family were greeted 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, in his capacity as the Chairperson 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 other executive committee members.
The event began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by the Minister of Religious Affairs, followed by Dikir Marhaban by officers and staff of the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications and 21 cannon shots fired in the capital.
A religious talk by assistant lecturer at Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ajak highlighted the Day of Judgement, and the importance of performing pious acts and the benefits they reap on Judgement Day.
He also spoke about Syafa’at rendered by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) on the Day of Judgement to his ummah.
A Selawat presentation was then delivered by students from Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Arabic School, before State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned recited Doa Selamat.
Similar events were also held nationwide with Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid attending as the guest of honour at Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque, Tutong yesterday.
It began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Sayyidul Istighfar, led by the minister.
It proceeded with the recitation of Selawat Tafrijiyyah by religious teachers from the Islamic Studies Department in the district.
Kampong Danau Mosque’s Head Imam Abdul Hadi bin Abdul Rahman delivered a special talk on the importance of Selawat.
The ceremony concluded with Dikir Marhaban by Tutong District’s mosque affairs officers, the recitation of Doa Selamat by Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque Head Imam Mohd Waiz bin Tajuddin and a Selawat led by former mosque affairs officer Haji Masri bin Haji Mohamad.
In the Belait District, the event was held at Muhammad Jamalul Alam Mosque. Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad was among the attendees.
Acting Belait District Officer Mohamad Yassin bin Haji Ahmed and heads of departments, senior officers and staff members from various government agencies were also present.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, led by Pekan Seria Mosque Affairs Officer Haji Aminnorddin bin Haji Mohd Yussof, before proceeding to Dikir Marhaban, led by mosque affairs officers, religious teachers and mosque takmir committee members.
A talk titled ‘Bersabar, Berikhtiar, Bertawakkal dan Berdoa Menghadapi Ujian: Meraih Syafa’at Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam’ was also featured at the event.
The ceremony proceeded with the recitation of Selawat Tafrijiyyah and concluded with Doa Selamat, led by Haji Aminnorddin.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Defence Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Abdul Razak bin Haji Abd Kadir attended the Maulidur Rasul Celebration at Utama Mohammad Salleh Mosque in the Temburong District.
