| Ishan Ibrahim |
HAJ pilgrims are guests of Allah the Almighty in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman said yesterday.
Underlining the significance of the Haj pilgrimage in his speech to participants of the one-day practical Haj Amali course for intending pilgrims, held at the Indoor Stadium in Berakas, the minister explained that Haj has its special prominence in Islam – being its fifth pillar, and it is the greatest opportunity to be close to Allah the Almighty.
During the Haj, there are rules and regulations every pilgrim must adhere to.
The expenses incurred for the Haj pilgrimage must be covered through Halal means, the minister stressed, adding that this also includes finance for the family left behind at the home country.
The minister reminded the intending pilgrims that during the course of conducting the Haj, they must avoid speaking obscene words as doing so can nullify the pilgrimage.
He elaborated on the duties of the Haj course instructors, especially on the practical side of the Haj pilgrimage such as ‘tawaf’, ‘sa’ie’, ‘jamrah’, wearing the ‘ihram’ and so on.
The minister also noted that the Minister of Haj and Umah in Saudi Arabia had praised Bruneian pilgrims for their strict adherence to the rules and regulations stipulated by the government.
Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman. – ISHAN IBRAHIM
This compliment has significance, the Minister of Religious Affairs said, “as this gives motivation and encouragement to pilgrims to conduct the pilgrimage in an efficient manner and the good name of Brunei must continue to be preserved.”
Meanwhile, the Acting Director of Haj Management, Haji Abdullah bin Haji Mohamad, cited in his address the objectives of the course that are to ensure the pilgrims conduct the pilgrimage in the correct way and to adhere to the practical rules regarding ‘tawaf’, ‘sa’ie’, ‘jamrah’, wearing the ‘ihram’ and others.
He said the course content of the Haj guidance is in compliance with the directive of the Ministry of Haj and Umrah of the Government of Saudi Arabia, and added that the guidance does not stop at the course level but will continue to be imparted to the pilgrims during the actual Haj.
Around 400 intending pilgrims attended the course. Participants included Dato Paduka Awang Haji Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs; Hussain Mohammed M Aldajani, Charge d’Affaires of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Brunei Darussalam; deputy permanent secretaries; directors and senior officers of the ministry; directors of Haj package organising organisations; and head of the Medical Unit of Haj Management (Brunei Darussalam).
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