| Aziz Idris |
PREPARATIONS are underway for the declaration of Bandar Seri Begawan as the Islamic Culture Capital for Asia next year, by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO).
Members from the Steering Committee led by 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, who is also the Chairman, held its first meeting yesterday to discuss activities in conjunction with the celebrations.
Also present was State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, in his capacity as advisor to the committee.
Among the other committee members are Commissioner of Police Dato Paduka Seri Haji Mohd Jammy bin Haji Muhd Shah Al-Islam and Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar.
Held at the DiGadong Hall at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the meeting was aimed at discussing the preparations and any related activities for officiating Bandar Seri Begawan as the Islamic Culture Capital for Asia, as discussed during the Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers (ICCM) held in 2015.
In his opening speech, Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan said that next year’s celebrations would help to highlight to the world the influence of Islam, which is embedded in the culture and the people of Brunei.
The minister added, “It will also show the world that Brunei was able to make strong progress in various aspects based on Islamic teachings, under the leadership 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.”
He also shared a report by the ISESCO, whereby Bandar Seri Begawan has met all the criteria to be elected the title of Islamic Cultural City, based on its glorious history and strategic position.
Among the criteria include showcasing cultural excellence; contributing to the enrichment of Islamic culture and human culture prosperity; the availability of civilisational landmarks and cultural institutions; and a keen interest in organising cultural activities, book festivals, exhibitions, presentations and other related events.
Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan also expressed the hope that the implementation of activities and programmes for 2019 would reflect Bandar Seri Begawan as a truly respectable Islamic city, given to honouring the nation’s philosophy of the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB).
He urged the committee members to work together and carry out this initiative with the Whole of Nation approach. “With holistic and comprehensive advice, as well as suggestions from the members of this Steering Committee, we can devise programmes and activities that truly reflect Bandar Seri Begawan as a city that is categorised as the Islamic Culture Capital for Asia,” he added.
The minister also expressed his confidence that their experience of handling Bandar Seri Begawan as the ASEAN City of Culture 2016-2018 would be applicable in preparing for the celebrations by early 2019.
All proposals gathered from the meeting will be presented to the Secretary-General of the ISESCO during the Extraordinary Meeting of the Islamic Culture Ministers, to be held in Manama, Bahrain, on November 28-29.