| Azlan Othman |
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 officiated the launching of the new Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Kampong Mentiri yesterday, and took part in the first Friday prayers performed at the mosque.
The new mosque is built on the site of a former one, which was completely destroyed by fire in the early hours of April 5. It was completed in just 49 days.
Also joining His Majesty for the mass Friday prayer were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel.
The monarch was greeted upon arrival by Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, the Minister of Religious Affairs; Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti; and Dato Paduka Awang Haji Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud, the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs.
His Majesty then signed a plaque, which was immediately followed by the call of ‘Allahu Akbar’ three times, led by the Minister of Religious Affairs.
In his sermon, the State Mufti quoted from His Majesty’s titah, which said that it was crucial for a new mosque to be immediately built in replacement of an old one, in order to meet the daily needs of its congregants.
“This is our monarch’s stance. Thus, with His Majesty’s consent, the Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Kampong Mentiri has been built and is now ready for use within the specified time,” he said.
The State Mufti also reminded the congregants to care for their new mosque, and not to defile it through disruptions or idle talk.
“The mosque is a place for worship,” he told them.
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 signing the official plaque for the Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Kampong Mentiri. Also seen in photo is His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office
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; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel, performing the Friday prayer at the new Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Kampong Mentiri
His Majesty and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah greeted upon arrival at the new mosque
The Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Kampong Mentiri
Muslim congregants paying their tithe at the new Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Kampong Mentiri. – PHOTOS: AZROL AZMI
Leading the first Friday prayer at the new mosque was Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar.
The Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Kampong Mentiri was built on April 10, by the command of His Majesty.
The construction began with the establishment of a special committee under the Office of His Majesty, with members comprising representatives from the Office of His Majesty, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the State Mufti’s Office, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Development, the Attorney General’s Chamber, the Royal Brunei Police Force, the Fire and Rescue Department, the Land Department, the Department of Electrical Services, the Authority for Building Control and Construction Industry (ABCi), and the Public Works Department.
Presented with proposals and ideas, His Majesty ordered for the construction of the new mosque in RPN Kampong Mentiri, in the interests of the village residents and the surrounding areas.
An architect and consultant were appointed on April 11, and a contractor has been clearing the ravaged site since April 13. A contractor in charge of building the mosque was appointed on May 1. Construction work started on May 2, with the laying of the foundation stone taking place on May 5.
The ‘Julangan Titah Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque Project’ was finally completed on June 19, through the concerted efforts of the special committee, contractors and other agencies, who have been working to fulfil the monarch’s wishes to have the mosque available in time for this year’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.
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