| Syazwani Hj Rosli |
RELATIVES and family members of the first batch of the intending Haj pilgrims came in large numbers to the Brunei International Airport, shedding tears as they saw their loved-ones depart for the month-long journey.
The flight for the first batch of Haj pilgrims yesterday departed for Madinah in Saudi Arabia at 10.45 in the morning via Royal Brunei Airlines.
Present to witness the departure of the first batch of Haj pilgrims was Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, the Minister of Religious Affairs.
Also in attendance were Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in his capacity as the Chairman of the TAIB Board of Directors; Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Zulkarnain bin Haji Hanafi, the Minister of Health; Hisham bin Abdul Wahab bin Zar’ah, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Brunei Darussalam; Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Aziz bin Orang Kaya Maharaja Lela Haji Mohd Yusof, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs; Haji Harun bin Haji Junid and Roslan bin Haji Taja’ah, Deputy Permanent Secretaries at the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, the Minister of Religious Affairs; Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in his capacity as the Chairman of the TAIB Board of Directors; Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Zulkarnain bin Haji Hanafi, the Minister of Health; and Hisham bin Abdul Wahab bin Zar’ah, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Brunei Darussalam, bidding farewell to a Haj pilgrim
Haj pilgrims waving farewell before their departure. – PHOTOS: DEAN KASSIM
A mother bidding farewell to her family prior to her Haj pilgrimage
Photos above & below show family members bidding farewell to Haj pilgrims at the Brunei International Airport prior to the pilgrims’ departure to Madinah in Saudi Arabia
Photos above & below show various Haj pilgrims in group photos with their family members
Jifri bin Haji Bini from Perpindahan Lambak Kanan, and wife, Rahimah binti Haji Hassan, had tears of happiness in their eyes as they waved goodbye to their family members before they left for Madinah with the first batch of Haj pilgrims yesterday.
They told the Bulletin that they had long wished to perform the pilgrimage but it was in the past four years that their eagerness to perform the Haj intensified.
According to Jifri, they began saving with the intention of performing the Haj back in 2012 through ‘Akaun Tekad Haji’ at Perbadanan Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei (TAIB) and later registered for Haj in 2014.
“We longed for the opportunity and when we were told that we were selected to embark to perform Haj this year, we could not believe it. We were unable to express our joy because it was a long-cherished dream that came true,” he continued.
When asked about their children, Jifri said that they are leaving behind their three children, with the youngest aged two, in the hands of his sisters and parents.
“We had mixed feelings. We are excited but are also sad to leave our children behind. For sure we will miss them especially with the long separation but we leave their safety to be under Allah the Almighty’s protection. We also hope to return to them safely. May we always be under His blessings and may He reward us with a Mabrur Haj, Amin,” he continued.
Jifri and his wife would like to extend their appreciation and gratitude to 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 for his endless generosity and care for his people.
The departure of the first batch of Haj pilgrims yesterday was assisted by medical officers from the Haj Medical Management as well as officers from Darussalam Holdings Sdn Bhd and Straits Central Agencies (B) Sdn Bhd.
A Doa Selamat to bless the journey of the Haj pilgrims was recited by Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Haji Suhaili bin Haji Metali Al-Hafiz and the Azan was sounded by Mudim Haji Tamin bin Haji Puting.
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