| Lyna Mohamad |
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 attended the National Level Israk Mikraj celebration for 1440 Hijrah at the Plenary Hall of the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas yesterday.
Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah.
His Majesty and Their Royal Highnesses were greeted by Chief of Adat Istiadat Negara Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz bin Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar; Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, in his capacity as Chairman of the Executive Committee for Major Islamic Calendar Events for 1440 Hijrah; Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud; Minister of Education Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sulaiman; State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned; Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar; and Executive Committee members.
The event commenced with the recitation of verses of Al-Quran by Education Officer at the Hassanal Bolkiah Arabic Boys Secondary School Pengiran Amirul Aiman bin Pengiran Haji Marjuki, while the interpretation of the verses were read by teacher at the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Secondary School in Lumut Haji Isyrah Sadri bin Haji Osman.
The religious ceremony then proceeded with welcoming remarks by the Minister of Religious Affairs, who said His Majesty’s presence signified the unwavering commitment of His Majesty’s government towards the teachings of Islam as the state religion of Brunei Darussalam.
The minister also highlighted the fundamental principles of the national education system and Islamic schooling, as specified by His Majesty’s Government, in order to ensure that Islam is taught and disseminated in a proper manner.
“This way, it will not be subject to misleading elements, which can be very dangerous if they are manipulated to the extent of violating the real doctrine of Islam that teaches us to live in unity, peace and harmony, as citizens and residents,” he said.
The ceremony then continued with His Majesty delivering a titah.
The event was further enlivened with a special presentation titled Kasih Ilahi, organised by the Department of Islamic Studies and performed by the students of Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit Girls Arabic Religious Secondary School. To bless the ceremony a Doa Selamat was read by the State Mufti.
This year’s Israk Mikraj celebration carries the theme Prayer Shapes a Pious Ummah.