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, graced the National Israk and Mikraj Commemoration for the year 1446 Hijrah at the Plenary Hall, International Convention Centre in Berakas on Monday.
Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah.
Upon arrival, His Majesty was welcomed by senior officials, including Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris bin Pengiran Maharaja Lela Pengiran Muda Abdul Kahar, President of the Adat Istiadat Council; Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, who also serves as the event’s chairman; Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman; and Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid.
The ceremony commenced with a recitation of Quranic verses by Awang Abdul Qawiyyel Azeez bin Haji Abd Rajid, the national youth Quran recital champion. This was followed by a Quranic reflection (Tadabbur) delivered by Assistant Prison Counselor Awang Fariszal bin Ali from the Prisons Department, Ministry of Home Affairs.
Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin then delivered welcoming remarks before His Majesty delivered a titah.
The event was further enlivened with performances of Selawat Tafrijiyyah and Ibrahimiyyah by officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Development, and Takaful Brunei Darussalam Sdn Bhd.
A special lecture titled “Prayer Sharpens the Mind” was then delivered by guest speaker Professor Ustaz Dr H Abdul Somad from Indonesia.
To conclude the event, the State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned led a Doa Selamat to bless the gathering.
The commemoration, themed “Prayer Sharpens the Mind,” was jointly organized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Development, and Takaful Brunei Darussalam Sdn Bhd. – Fadley Faisal
