Izah Azahari
The Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) Zikir Nation Education Symposium was launched at the Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) targetting a wider audience of civil servants and educators.
In his welcoming remarks, Director of the Core Knowledge Centre of KUPU SB Ustaz Kharhan bin Haji Jait said compared to previous lectures which focussed on students, the ones at the current symposium had an expanded scope for senior officials, government officers, MIB instructors at higher education institutions, curriculum officers from the Ministry of Education and MIB teachers at government and private sector schools.
The director said the symposium is also hoped to open up space and opportunities for KUPU SB to work with other agencies and experts, so that its activities remain relevant, holistic and effective.
Some of the activities in the works, include the addition of the symposium as an annual event of the MIB Supreme Council, exploring areas of cooperation in research, seminars and writing with government and private higher education institutions, competitions and exhibitions related to MIB and Islamic education at primary, secondary and pre-university levels.
The symposium also aims at providing a better understanding of the importance of a Zikir Nation and the MIB concept, in addition to strengthening the appreciation and practice of MIB and the Bruneian identity.
The event, co-organised by KUPU SB and the Secretariat Office of the MIB Supreme Council, began with the recitation of the Asma Ul-Husna and singing of the national anthem Allah Peliharakan Sultan, along with the recitation of Surah Al-Mujadalah Verses 11 to 12 by Education Officer at the KUPU SB Core Knowledge Centre Ustaz Haji Nasrul Fakhri bin Haji Yahya.
The event then continued with a video presentation on the Proclamation of Brunei Darussalam’s Independence Day 1984 and the en masse ‘laungan takbir’ of the Declaration of Independence followed by a Hadrah performance from KUPU SB students before the symposium was officially launched by 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 a member of the MIB Supreme Council 2021-2024.
The minister then delivered a lecture on ‘Pendidikan Negara Zikir Berfalsafahkan Melayu Islam Beraja’. The afternoon session saw a special nadwah titled ‘Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) Education’ by Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong and chaired by KUPU SB Ra’es Dr Haji Adanan
bin Haji Basar.
The symposium also features numerous exhibitions on MIB, kites, gasing, archery and pencak silat. Also present at the launch were Legislative Council members, permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries, representatives of universities, senior government officers and government officers, lecturers, teachers, and higher education students.
The symposium will continue on April 20 featuring a lecture by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned.