| Ishan Ibrahim |
CABINET ministers and government officials yesterday attended a 72 times Khatam Al-Quran ceremony at the Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Mosque in Kampong Sungai Akar, in conjunction with the 72nd birthday celebration 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.
Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, and his spouse, were welcomed by Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, in his capacity as patron of the Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Mosque; and Village Head of Kampong Sungai Akar Haji Ramlee bin Mohd Zain, who is also the Chairman of the Village Consultative Council (MPK) of Kampong Sungai Akar (MPK Sungai Akar).
Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof; Acting Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin; and Penghulu of Mukim Berakas Pengiran Haji Ali bin Pengiran Maun were also present.
Co-organised by the MPK Sungai Akar and the Takmir Committee of the Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Mosque, the 72 times Khatam Al-Quran ceremony was a special pesambah to His Majesty from the residents of Kampong Sungai Akar and the surrounding residential areas.
In his welcoming address, Mosque Officer of the Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Mosque Imam Haji Syamsul Nizam bin Haji Badar said that the main aim of this ceremony was to fully support His Majesty’s aspirations to make Brunei Darussalam a Zikir Nation.
“This year’s attendance has been very encouraging, with the Khatam participants comprising 168 adults, 73 youth and 55 children from Kampong Sungai Akar and the surrounding residential areas,” he said.
The religious event began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, led by Imam of the Rashidah Sa’datul Bolkiah Mosque Haji Muhammad Sa’dullah bin Haji Salleh, followed by the recitation of selected Al-Quran verses. The mass recitation of Ayat-ayat Lazim was led by Haji Muhammad Sa’dullah and Haji Mohd Faiezal bin Haji Zainal, while Doa Khatam was read by a young participant, Darwish bin Haji Faiezal.
The ceremony was further enlivened by a Dikir Marhaban from the Religious Teachers’ Dikir Group of the Islamic Studies Department (JPI), and the presentation of certificates to the Khatam Al-Quran participants by the Minister of Home Affairs.
The event concluded with a recitation of Doa Kesyukuran by Imam Haji Syamsul Nizam.
The religious ceremony is hoped to further enhance the quality of Al-Quran recitation among the congregants of the Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Mosque, while incorporating it into their daily prayer routine.