| Azaraimy HH & Daniel Lim |
OPENING ceremonies were held across the country yesterday, for the 72 times Khatam Al-Quran ceremony, in conjunction with the upcoming 72nd birthday celebrations of 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.
Over 1,700 participants were involved, comprising mukim and village consultative councils (MPMK) members, and students.
In the Brunei-Muara District, the focal point was the Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, and the event began with a mass recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Home Affairs and Chairman of the National Committee for His Majesty’s 72nd birthday celebrations.
Also present 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 Paduka Awang Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sulaiman, the Minister of Education.
Among the selected Khatam Al-Quran participants were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Abdul Hafeez bin Pengiran Anak Khairul Khalil and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Raihaanah Hanaa-Ul Bolqiah binti Pengiran Anak Khairul Khalil, the grandchildren of His Majesty.
Also in attendance were Legislative Council members; acting permanent secretaries and senior government officers; penghulu and village heads; and MPMK members.
The district was represented by 702 participants – 35 adult males, 35 adult females, 35 male youths, 35 female youths, 86 boys, 86 girls, 195 male students, and 195 female students.
In the Belait District, the opening ceremony was held at the Zainab Mosque in Lumut, where Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Aziz bin Orang Kaya Maharaja Lela Haji Mohd Yusof, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA), was present as the guest of honour.
Also among those present were YB Hanapi bin Mohd Siput, a Legislative Council member and the Acting Penghulu of Mukim Labi.
A total of 412 participants represented Belait District, comprising MPMK members and youths chosen from their schools’ Al-Quran reading schemes.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin was present at the opening ceremony in Tutong District held at the Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Pekan Tutong, where 432 participants joined.
Legislative Council members representing Tutong District were also present.
In the Temburong District, 192 participants took part in the event at the Utama Muhammad Salleh Mosque in Pekan Bangar.
Haji Abdul Manap bin Othman, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health was the guest of honour.
Also present were Legislative Council member YB Haji Emran bin Haji Sabtu, and other officers.
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