| Abdul Hakim Yakof |
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 made a Ziarah (visit) to the Royal Mausoleum at Batu Satu in Jalan Tutong yesterday for a Tahlil ceremony for His Majesty’s late parents Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam and Al-Marhumah Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman.
Accompanying His Majesty 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; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah.
Upon arrival, His Majesty and members of the royal family were welcomed by Chief of Adat Istiadat Negara Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz bin Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar; Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman; Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar as well as senior officers from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The ceremony began with a recitation of the Tahlil, led by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, who also led recitations of Doa Tahlil and Doa Selamat.
After the Doa Tahlil and Doa Selamat concluded, His Majesty poured Ayer Asah-Asahan (scented water) on the tombs of Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien and Al-Marhumah Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit and this was continued by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah.
Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien passed away on the 3rd of Muharram 1407 Hijrah, corresponding to September 7, 1986, while Al-Marhumah Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit passed away on 20th of Syawal 1399 Hijrah, corresponding to September 13, 1979.
Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien was crowned as the 28th Sultan of Brunei after Al-Marhum Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Akhazul Khairi Waddien passed away in 1950.
Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien is fondly remembered as the ‘Architect of Modern Brunei’ for his contributions to the nation’s development.
Among the most important events during Al-Marhum’s reign were the establishment of the State Constitution and policies on education, religion, security, communications as well as schemes for the welfare of Brunei citizens and residents.
Also present at the ceremony yesterday were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran-Pengiran Cheteria, Cabinet Ministers, members of the Privy Council, deputy ministers, Pengiran-Pengiran Peranakan, Pehin-Pehin Manteri, Manteri-Manteri Hulubalang, members of the Legislative Council, permanent secretaries, and senior government officers.