Azlan Othman, Daniel Lim & Adib Noor
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 the national celebrations for the Islamic new year of 1444 Hijrah at Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah in Kampong Kiarong yesterday.
Also in attendance 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.
Upon arrival, His Majesty was 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 Chairman of the Executive Committee of Major Islamic Events of 1444 Hijrah; State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned; and other executive committee members.
The national celebrations for the Islamic new year of 1444 Hijrah began with the recitation of Doa Akhir Tahun 1443 Hijrah led by Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Haji Mustapa bin Haji Murat.
Twenty-one shots of the cannon were fired at Jame’ ‘Asr compound, followed by the call for Maghrib prayer led by Begawan Mudim Haji Amran bin Haji Mohd Salleh.
His Majesty and members of the royal family along with congregants performed a mass Maghrib prayer led by Chief Syar’ie Judge Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar, who also led the recitation of Doa Awal Tahun 1444 Hijrah and Sunnat Hajat prayer.
There was also the recitation of Selawat Tafrijiyyah led by students of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Arabic School in Kampong Rimba.
The reading of Al-Quran was then delivered by winner of the National Al-Quran Reading Competition for Youth for 1443 Hijrah Haji Hazwan bin Haji Salim followed by a religious talk from Special Duties Officer Grade II at the Ministry of Religious Affairs Muhammad Yusof bin Haji Abdul Majid.
Doa Selamat was then read by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz.
His Majesty and members of the royal family then performed a mass Isyak prayer led by Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Haji Mustafa.
In the Belait District, the main ceremony was held at RPN Kampong Pandan Mosque, Kuala Belait, attended by Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman as the guest of honour.
Also present were Acting Belait District Officer Mohamad Yassin bin Haji Ahmed, Head of Religious Officer in Belait District Mohamad Aliyani bin Ismail, and officers and staff from government agencies in the district.
The ceremony began with Doa Akhir Tahun 1443 Hijrah, led by RPN Kampong Pandan Mosque Affairs Officer Abdul Qayyum bin Haji Aminuddin followed by a mass Maghrib prayer.
Sunnat Ba’diyah Maghrib and Sunnat Hajat prayers were then conducted, followed by the recitation of Doa Awal Tahun 1444 Hijrah, and concluding with a mass Isyak prayer, all led by RPN Kampong Pandan Mosque Affairs Officer Abdul Qayyum.
The ceremony also saw a religious talk delivered by Head of Counselling and Religious Understanding Unit Haji Saharuddin bin Haji Patra.
Meanwhile, Tutong District residents gathered at the focal point in the district, Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Pekan Tutong, joined by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad.
The recitation of Doa Akhir Tahun 1443 Hijrah and Doa Awal Tahun 1444 Hijrah was led by Imam of Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque Shahibol bin Haji Mohd Yussof.
The event also included a mass Maghrib prayer, mass Isyak prayer and a religious talk.
The Islamic new year of 1444 Hijrah celebration was held at mosques, suraus and religious halls nationwide.
This year’s celebration carries the theme ‘Bersabar, Berikhtiar, Bertawakkal dan Berdoa Menghadapi Ujian: Memacu Wawasan Negara’.
