THE British Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Mark Field visited the Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah yesterday as part of his itinerary while in Brunei Darussalam.
Acting Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Aziz bin Orang Kaya Maharaja Lela Haji Mohd Yusof welcomed the British minister upon arrival.
Accompanying Field was British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Richard Lindsay. Also present were Deputy Permanent Secretary (Policy and Religion) at the MoRA Haji Mohd Serudin bin Haji Timbang and senior officials from the MoRA.
Following a tour of the mosque, Field and Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom discussed shared values and religious understanding. Field was interested to hear about the arrangements taking place for Aidiladha in Brunei, and noted how many of his constituents in London were also busy planning for the festival.
He also toured the main prayer hall with Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom and visited the Abdul Aziz Library, and had the opportunity to view some 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’s personal collection of Al-Quran manuscripts and scriptures.