| Rokiah Mahmud, Syazwani Hj Rosli & Fizah HAB |
FIRST Deputy Chairman of the Russian Muftis Council Rushan Abbyasov yesterday paid a courtesy call to State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned at the Darulifta building of the State Mufti’s Office in Jalan Pengiran Babu Raja.
Deputy State Mufti Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Japar bin Haji Mat Dain @ Maidin and Acting Director of Administration at the State Mufti’s Office Haji Saiful Nizam bin Haji Sulaiman were present.
Abbyasov and his delegation then visited the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque in the capital, where they were welcomed by Director of the Islamic Da’wah Centre Haji Abdul Rajid bin Haji Mohd Salleh; Acting Director of the Mosque Affairs Department Haji Amir Hisham bin Haji Masri; Superintendent of the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque Zulkifli bin Haji Murat; and several senior officers from the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA).
Prior to a brief tour of the mosque, the Russian delegation was given a video presentation on its historical background.
Afterwards, Abbyasov visited the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Girls Arabic Religious Secondary School (SUAMPRIPAHS) in Kampong Katok, where he was received by Deputy Permanent Secretary (Policy and Religious) at the MoRA Haji Mohd Serudin bin Haji Timbang; and Principal of SUAMPRIPAHS Hajah Rusidah binti Haji Talip.
Acting Director of Administration at the MoRA Haji Sofian bin Haji Basri and Acting Director of Islamic Studies Haji Shamshol bin Haji Omar were also present.
Abbyasov and his delegates were briefed on the functions and roles of the school, in addition to a brief history of the establishment of Arabic and religious schools in Brunei.
The delegates then toured the school facilities, including the classrooms and the Musolla. They also interacted with some of the students at the school.
Later, Abbyasov visited the Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (ITQSHHB), where he was welcomed by Permanent Secretary at the MoRA Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Aziz bin Orang Kaya Maharaja Lela Haji Mohd Yusof; Director of the Islamic Da’wah Centre Haji Abdul Rajid bin Haji Mohd Salleh; and Acting Principal of ITQSHHB Pengiran Haji Amiruddin bin Pengiran Haji Damit.
After being briefed on the history of the school, the Russian delegation was taken on a tour of the facilities which included the Musolla, library and classrooms.
In an interview, Abbysov said that he was both delighted and amazed at the ITQSHHB’s range of Al-Quran study programmes.
“I believe that this is the best foundation for the future of Brunei,” he said. “This is good for building the Ummah to know more about our religion through Al-Quran Al-Kareem and the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).”
When asked about the possibility of an Islamic exchange programme between Brunei and Russia, Abbysov replied, “Insya Allah, we will think about it. We see a future opportunity for cooperation between the institute and our scholars for Al-Quran education, Insya Allah.”
The First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Muftis Council and his delegates are on a five-day working visit to Brunei Darussalam, which ends tomorrow.