Azlan Othman & Lyna Mohamad
Tedarus ceremonies were held across mosques, suraus and religious halls nationwide starting Saturday, with the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque in the capital as the focal point.
Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman was the guest of honour.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by the minister, and continued with the Tadabbur Al-Quran by Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) lecturer Dr Nazirul Mubin bin Ahad.
The Tedarus began with the recitation of Surah Al-Baqarah and Selawat Tafrijiyyah led by Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque officers, before concluding with the Doa Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Tedarus ceremonies at mosques, suraus and religious halls are held to enliven the holy month of Ramadhan. These venues are open for Muslims to perform I’tikaf (spending time at the mosque) to recite Al-Quran, multiply pious acts, glorify the holy month with religious activities and seek forgiveness from Allah the Almighty.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) through the Mosque Affairs Department organised the Tedarus opening with cooperation from the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque and Radio Television Brunei.
Meanwhile, the Brunei Darussalam Women’s Council (BDWC) held an online ceremony to mark the opening of the Tedarus, hosted by Vice-President I Pengiran Datin Paduka Hajah Mariam binti Pengiran Haji Matarsat.
The ceremony opened with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by the host, and continued with the BDWC administrative board members reciting Surah Al-Baqarah Juzuk 1.
Eighty members from 13 associations under BDWC participated in the event, which included a recitation of Tahlil and Doa. Attendees included the BDWC president, association presidents, guests from the Kampong Manggis Women Bureau and Muslimah of Suri Seri Begawan Raja Pengiran Anak Damit Mosque.
Similarly, the Islamic Da’wah Centre (PDI) is conducting Tedarus activities with converts at selected locations throughout the month.
The centre is also providing contributions of refreshments for these religious events to recipients which include mosques, suraus, religious halls and dakwah posts.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and concluded with a Doa read by PDI Officer Haji Mohammad Nazir bin Haji Othman.
The ceremony conducted by Tarbiyah Muallaf allows converts to appreciate the fasting month together, while developing their interests in Al-Quran recitation and instilling Islamic teachings in their daily lives.
The ceremony also saw PDI Director cum guest of honour Haji Abdul Rajid bin Haji Mohd Salleh presenting authorisation letters for the refreshment contributions to Kampong Benutan Mosque and Al-Mashor Mosque in Kampong Sungai Mau, as well as the religious halls at Kampong Melilas, Kampong Sukang, Kampong Merangking, Kampong Sibut, Kampong Semabat and Hajah Aminah in Kampong Long Mayan.
Haji Abdul Rajid also presented Waqaf Mushaf UNISSA to 18 religious activity houses, Dakwah posts and religious halls.
PDI Assistant Director Abdul Aziz bin Haji Abdul Kahar and PDI Tarbiyah Muallaf Head Dr Hajah Rohanita binti Haji Yaakub also attended.
On Thursday, Tarbiyah Muallaf in collaboration with the Dakwah Unit held an online Tarbiyah Ramadhan with converts at the Mushalla Al-Ameen at PDI.
PDI Assistant Director cum guest of honour Abdul Aziz bin Haji Abdul Kahar joined the event alongside participants of the Converts Guidance Course and members of Nurul Islam Association (PNI), Sinar Islam Association (PSI), Tutong Converts (PESATU) and Temburong Converts (PESAT) associations.
The programme was a follow-up to the distribution of Practices in the Month of Ramadhan posters of the Fathul Barakah 3.0 Project for converts.
The programme also included a religious talk on Month of Ramadhan practices by registered religious speaker from the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) Muhammad Khairul Mu’az bin Haji Sibodaud.
