| Azaraimy HH |
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 and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam yesterday received a Junjung Ziarah from this year’s intending Haj pilgrims.
The annual tradition, held at the Istana Nurul Iman, provides an opportunity for Bruneian pilgrims to meet the monarch and express their gratitude for the support received from His Majesty in facilitating their journey to Makkah.
During the event, His Majesty received the intending male pilgrims, accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Meanwhile, Her Majesty was accompanied by Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman while receiving the intending female pilgrims.
Prior to the Junjung Ziarah, the intending pilgrims were treated to a meal prepared specially for them. They also performed mass Zohor prayer at the palace and were later presented with Kurnia (personal gifts) from His Majesty through the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.
The male pilgrims were each presented with a set of Ihram garments while the female pilgrims received prayer veils.
This year, 1,000 pilgrims comprising 485 males and 515 females from the Sultanate will be performing the Haj.
The group includes 83 male pilgrims aged 60 and above, 12 male pilgrims aged 70 and above, three males aged 80 and above, 70 women aged 60 and above and nine women aged 70 and above.
These intending pilgrims from Brunei will embark on a spiritual journey that will take them half way across the world to join millions of other Muslims in performing one of Islam’s mandatory pillars in Makkah and Madinah.
In this year’s Haj Package, 790 pilgrims are under the care of Darussalam Holdings Sdn Bhd, 149 under Straits Central Agencies (B) Sdn Bhd, 30 under Raudah Al-Amin Sdn Bhd and 31 under At-Taqwa Travel Tours Sdn Bhd.
The first group of intending pilgrims will leave for Madinah, Saudi Arabia, on July 28 on a 3pm flight with the second group to depart on July 29 at 10pm.
The third group will depart on July 31 at 8am and the fourth group on August 1 at 12.50am.
The return flight is scheduled for August 27 for the first group which is expected to arrive in Brunei around 1.55pm. The second group will return on August 29 at 6.15pm, the third group on August 30 at 6.45am and the fourth group on August 31 at 2.55pm.