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 joined the people for the Sunnat Hari Raya Aidilfitri prayer at Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah in Kampong Kiarong on Thursday.
Accompanying His Majesty 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 and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
His Majesty and other members of the royal family were greeted on 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 and Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman as the Chairperson of the Executive Committee for Major Islamic Calendar Events for 1445 Hijrah.
Also joining to greet the royalty were 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 and Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd Tashim bin Pengiran Haji Hassan.
Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar led the prayer while Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd Tashim delivered the Hari Raya Aidilfitri sermon.
The sermon noted that the holy month of Ramadhan encourages the ummah to become more pious, and ensure they receive multiple rewards for performing good deeds. The sermon also touched on seeking forgiveness during the festivities, especially from parents as they raise us, provide our daily needs and make sure we receive the education we need to secure a better future.
“This festive season is time to forge closer ties with our parents and other family members,” said the imams during the sermon.
The sermon also called for gratitude towards parents and to “take the opportunity of Hari Raya to show our respect for them”.
Meanwhile, “for dearly departed parents, let us supplicate and may Allah the Almighty forgive their sins, and place them among the pious”, said the imams. The sermon also said, “As we are busy with our daily lives in other months, this festive season gives the golden opportunity to meet and greet family members, neighbours and friends, while seeking forgiveness and fostering closer ties.”
The imams also cautioned Muslims against wastefulness during the celebrations and to be mindful of our financial status. The sermon concluded by calling the ummah to “not forget the fate of our Muslim brothers and sisters in Gaza who are living in fear, devastated and killed by Israeli forces. Let us supplicate that Palestinians are under the protection from Allah the Almighty and for this catastrophe to end”. – Azlan Otman
