| Ishan Ibrahim |
AN INTENSIVE course on the presentation of the Khutbah (sermon) and the refinement of daily prayers was launched at the Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) yesterday.
State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned was the guest of honour.
The attendees included Deputy State Mufti Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Japar bin Haji Mat Dain @ Maidin, Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) Roslan bin Haji Taja’ah, Acting Ra’es of KUPU SB Dr Haji Adanan bin Haji Basar and Deputy Permanent Secretary (Policy and Religious) at the MoRA Haji Mohd Serudin bin Haji Timbang.
The event began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, followed by the mass reading of the Asmaul Husna and the singing of the national anthem.
In his welcoming address, Dr Haji Adanan noted that the primary aim of the course is to uphold 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’s titah, which places the highest importance on the blessings of Allah the Almighty on the nation, based on the teachings of Islam – especially through Jemaah (Islamic congregation) and the Khutbah.
To be more specific, he explained, the course aims to refine participants’ prayers that adhere to Mazhab Shafi’e, which are guidelines to the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB)philosophy and the constitution of the nation.
The course also aimed to enhance the institution of the mosque as a place of Islamic education by way of proper understanding of Islam and effectively listening to the Khutbah.
Dr Haji Adanan also cautioned against irresponsible elements that aim to misinform on Islam.
He said despite the ease of obtaining information on the teachings of Islam through media such as the smartphone, not all information are accurate and this can have a detrimental effect on society in general.
Meanwhile, the State Mufti’s address elaborated on the importance and concepts of Khutbah and prayers. This was followed by a presentation of certificates to course facilitators Dr Haji Adanan and Senior Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Usuluddin (KUPU SB) Dr Mikdar Rusdi.
Dr Mikdar Rusdi presented working papers on The effective principles of Khutbah, while a demonstration of Rukun was conducted by Dr Haji Adanan.
Some 450 participants that included mosque Imams, religious school principals, students of Year 4 Religious Teachers Bachelor Programme and Religious Teachers Highest Diploma attended the ceremony.