| Azlan Othman |
MINISTER of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman said that the daily practice of Islam in Brunei has contributed to the country’s socio-political stability.
“With that, Brunei can continue to progress, while its people enjoy lasting prosperity,” said the minister during a dialogue session on the future direction of Islamic propagation, held yesterday at the hall of the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Girls Arabic Religious Secondary School.
“We believe that Brunei is blessed by Allah the Almighty, because the country constantly glorifies and promotes Islam. Brunei is guided by conventional practices, and you will find that Islam has its rightful place as the country’s official religion,” he said.
The minister also added that the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) is responsible for planning, managing and the implementation of Islamic affairs as the official religion of Brunei Darussalam.
“With that, the ministry has decided its strategy,” he said. “Whatever the sequence of words and pronouncements, what is obvious is that the ministry seeks to strengthen and preserve the purity of Islam.
“Islam has been effectively propagated before, in earlier times. So now, of course, we should feel obliged to propagate it in a more orderly way.
“We are called to bring about more impact and more relevance to Islam in an effort to ensure and maintain the country’s stability and the well-being of the people.
“There is no doubt that Islam plays a role in that direction, which should be a positive one, to secure a place among the government.
“In this dialogue session, we will talk about the direction of propagation. Of course, our intentions are to continue strengthening efforts to propagate Islam, while contributing to the country’s stability and the well-being of its people, in line with its appropriate status in the government. This is important and should be the preferred method of propagation in this country.
“In terms of experience in the field of religion, I have concluded that Islam in our country has been propagated as a religion that is inclusive. That is why it has become a daily routine and guidance in our lives, according to our individual capabilities.
“By the grace of Allah the Almighty, Brunei has been harmonious through the establishment of Islam as the religion of the monarch, the majority of the people and its residents. The result is that Islam remains the cornerstone of Brunei’s strength in society, country and state.”
The minister concluded his speech by stating, “In general, that is the role of the sovereign through an Islamic monarchial system, in accordance with the Constitution of the State, with its strong aspirations and its clear direction as stated in the Proclamation of Independence.”
Meanwhile, Islamic Da’wah Centre Acting Director Haji Abdul Rajid bin Haji Mohd Salleh said that the one-day session was intended to provide encouragement and motivation to local preachers in facing challenges during the propagation of Islam, while also acting as a platform for them to exchange views and information with the Minister of Religious Affairs.
Some 300 preachers attended the dialogue session, along with speakers from the Islamic Da’wah Centre, government departments under MoRA, the State Mufti’s Office, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), and the Religious Department of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
Also in attendance were distinguished speakers from the Brunei Islamic Religious Council, youth preachers and representatives from Radio Television Brunei (RTB).
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