| Hakim Hayat |
THE whole nation has been greatly disturbed over the inaccurate news report of a Bruneian national being detained for suspected terrorist activities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, said 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 yesterday.
Delivering a titah from the Istana Nurul Iman, which was broadcast live on state television and radio, to mark the new Islamic year of 1438 Hijrah, His Majesty criticised the report by the Saudi Gazette, an online news portal. “Apart from being judicious enough to make their own decisions, the Bruneian people do not have the time or inclination to be involved in such random activities. They are more preoccupied in developing our peaceful country, under a transparent and fair leadership, guided by pure Islamic laws and teachings,” said the monarch.
The online portal has since issued a retraction, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MoFAT), through the Brunei Embassy in Riyadh, has also confirmed the error made in the initial reports.
“Alhamdulillah, I was right to cast doubt over the matter. All praise to Allah the Almighty, for protecting Brunei and its people from being involved or associated with activities that have no relevance to us,” said His Majesty.
Earlier in the titah, His Majesty extolled the significance of welcoming the Hijrah new Islamic year that he said encourages Muslims to appreciate the concept of the Hijrah as a momentous journey made by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), which led to the spread of Islam.
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 delivering the titah yesterday. – PG FAIROL RMF
The monarch said the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)’s determination to leave his native land and endure many challenges was a strategic decision to protect the faith (aqidah).
“This strategy was assuredly a divine inspiration, because wasn’t the Hijrah a command from Allah the Almighty?” said His Majesty, posing a rhetorical question.
His Majesty likened the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (phuh) to “a shining light in the universe, safeguarding the Islamic faith, and a gift to all mankind”.
The monarch also highlighted the Islamic values of the ‘Maqasid Syar’iyyah’, which preserves the five fundamental areas necessary for all, which are: religion, life, intellect, lineage and property. “These values are either not present, or incomplete, among other faiths. But Islam is holistic, because all five (values) must be fulfilled for the benefit of this life and the hereafter.” His Majesty also said that all types of killings, including suicide, are greatly disapproved of in Islam, which enjoins its adherents to respect peace and the existence of others, regardless of creed. “If this principle was faithfully applied, then surely crimes such as murder, cruelty or terrorism would not happen. It is therefore false and misleading to associate Islam with acts of terror and violence.”
His Majesty went on to state that Brunei fully understands this precept, and has enjoyed peace and security under Islamic teachings: “Brunei is fully developed in all aspects of religion, and the people do not have to be steered on how to decide what is best for them. The Islamic faith is faithfully observed, and forms the mainstay of this country.”
In concluding the titah, His Majesty and other members of the royal family conveyed their wishes for a blessed 1438 Hijrah, while praying for the new Islamic year to bring grace to the country and its people.
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