| Abdul Hakiim Yakof |
BRUNEI’S first batch of Haj pilgrims returned home to an emotional welcome by families and friends at the Brunei International Airport yesterday.
Several family members broke down in tears as they hugged and welcomed their loved ones in the arrival hall.
Among those present to greet the returning pilgrims were Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, the Minister of Religious Affairs; and Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Zulkarnain bin Haji Hanafi, the Minister of Health.
Also in attendance were Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud, the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs; Hisham bin Abdul Wahab bin Abdullah Zaraa, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Brunei Darussalam; Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Aziz bin Orang Kaya Maharaja Lela Haji Mohd Yusof, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs; Haji Harun bin Haji Junid, the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs; and Roslan bin Haji Taja’ah, the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Administrative and Financial Affairs) at the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
To bless the arrival of the Haj pilgrims, a Doa Selamat was read by Ahmad Syafiq bin Haji Osman, a Mosque Affairs Officer at the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
One of the returning pilgrims, 19-year-old Haji Ahmad Zaki bin Haji Awang Antin from Kampong Beribi, said that the Haj was a long and arduous journey, amid intense crowds in the dry heat, but he bore it with patience.
“Being physically there, it was very overwhelming to see the Kaabah before us,” he said. “I’ve seen it in photos and websites, but actually seeing it gave me a sense of peace. I also felt some sadness on viewing it for the last time, as we left.”
Another pilgrim, 58-year-old Haji Abdul Salam bin Haji Awang from Kampong Masin, expressed his gratitude at being able to perform the Haj this year with his family, saying that the experience was a life-changing one for him.
“The other pilgrims were very cooperative with the authorities, causing the Haj to run smoothly this year,” he told the Bulletin.
A total of 254 pilgrims were on board the first flight this year, with 110 under Darussalam Holdings Sdn Bhd and 139 under Straits Central Agencies (B) Sdn Bhd, along with the Haj Medical Team from the Ministry of Health and officers from the Haj Medical Affairs Office, Darussalam Holdings Sdn Bhd and Straits Central Agencies (B) Sdn Bhd.
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