Monarch graces Hijrah prayers

THE Sultanate welcomed the new year of Hijrah last night with a mass prayer graced by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam at the Jame 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque.

Over 500 congregants attended the annual event this year, whose theme was 'Umat Bertaqwa Negara Berkat'.

The theme emphasised the need for Muslims to continue their taqwa (obedience to Islamic laws and fear of Allah SWT) for safety, prosperity, and peace of the country from a physical and spiritual aspect.

His Majesty was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah , the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at Prime Minister's Office, His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Hj 'Abdul 'Azim, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Wakeel.

Greeting the Royal Family members upon their arrival at the mosque were Minister of Religious Affairs Yang Berhormat Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Muhammad Pg Hj Abd Rahman, Deputy Minister Pg Hj Bahrom Pg Hj Bahar along with other religious officers.

Prior to the Maghrib prayers, the congregants took part in a special prayer recital led by Yang Berhormat Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Yahya Hj Awang Ibrahim in marking the conclusion of Hijrah 1433.

The mass Maghrib prayer was led by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Salim Hj Besar who also recited the new year prayer in marking the new year of 1434 Hijrah.

A Sunnat Hajat prayer was also conducted soon after, asking for Allah (SWT)'s protection of the Sultanate while also wishing for prosperity and peace.

Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Setia Raja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Suhaili Hj Mohiddin led the prayers.

Following a recital of the Al-Quran by the 49th National Al-Quran Reading Religious and Arabic School champion Muhammad Auni Marzuki Hj Anuar, an opening address was presented by the Minister of Religious Affairs who summarised hopes of Allah (SWT) granting prosperity to the nation under His Majesty's rule as well as the safety of its citizens.

As conducted every year, special awards were given to selected individuals who were rendered worthy of the titles Anugerah Tokoh Ugama (Religious Icon Award ) and Anugerah Jasawan Ugama (Meritorius Religious Figure Award) Announcing the names yesterday was permanent secretary Hj Abdul Aziz OKML Hj Yussof and Acting Director of the Islamic Dakwah Centre Hj Abdul Aziz Hj Akop for the respective categories wherein Minister of Home Affairs Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman was adjudged for the Anugerah Tokoh Ugama award while the Anugerah Jasawan Ugama was granted to Hj Abdul Hamid Hj Tamat and Hj Abdul Manap Hj Lahid.

His Majesty personally presented the awards to the recipients of the respective awards before the recital of the Doa Selamat by State Mufti Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr Ustaz Hj Awang Abdul Aziz Juned.

Yesterday's ceremony concluded with a mass Isyak prayer led by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Setia Raja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Suhaili Hj Mohiddin prior to departure of the monarch and the royal family.

The Brunei Times