HM's comments on lack of emphasis on spiritual activities hit home

HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's titah on the lack of emphasis on spiritual or religious activities in light of the surge of the Influenza A (H1N1) cases in the country, struck a cord with the public.

In the titah at the National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC) meeting yesterday, His Majesty said doa, zikir and Sunat Hajat prayers were the spiritual weapons that could be used in facing the H1N1 pandemic.

"This is not to say that no religious activities are being done, but I agreed with His Majesty that in light of the current situation spiritual efforts should also be emphasised," said Mohammad, an officer of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Al-Quran Tahfiz Institute.

He said although there was no assembly in schools (to recite prayers) in order to reduce the risks of spreading the infection, several schools and ministries did organise Sunat Hajat prayers and recital of Ratib Al-Attas.

He cited as an example the mass recital of Al-Quran and Sunat Hajat prayers conducted by the institute yesterday.

He said that they organised the events as part of the Ministry of Religious Affairs' efforts to seek protection from Allah (SWT).

With His Majesty's titah, Mohammad hopes that relevant ministries will now take this matter seriously and he expects to see changes as of today.

Mohammad echoed the sentiment voiced by His Majesty on the lack of public response to the Sunat Hajat prayers, especially before the Friday prayers.

He believed that this was because not a lot of people come early to the mosque in time to peform the Sunat Hajat prayers.

He added, "Most of the worshippers usually come for the Friday prayer around 12.40pm, during the sermon. Only around this time that you can see people rushing to the mosque.

"If the Sunat Hajat prayer is held after the Friday prayer, then probably there will be more congregates joining in."

He pointed out that senior citizens were always the first ones to arrive at the mosques, compared to the younger generation. In a way, he said, there was a need to re-emphasise religion in our everyday life.

"Do not just rely on ministries to tell you what to do, you have to take proactive actions," said a mother of two who wished to be known as Sharifah.

Proactive actions in this sense means complying with the advices by various ministries and at the same time returning to religion, she added.

The 34-year-old added that if schools were not organising Sunat Hajat prayers to ward off the spread of the virus, parents could still bring their families to the attend their village's mosque to perform the prayers. One can also recite Surah Yassin after the Maghrib and Isyak prayers at home.

If there is no one to lead, then you have to step up and do it for the good of all, she said.

The Brunei Times