Lyna Mohamad & Daniel Lim
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 celebrations for the Islamic New Year 1442 Hijrah at Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah in Kampong Kiarong yesterday.
Also in attendance were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
Upon arrival, His Majesty was greeted by 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 the Chairman of the Executive Committee of Major Islamic Events of 1442 Hijrah; State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned; and other executive committee members.
The national celebrations for the Islamic New Year 1442 Hijrah began with the recitation of Doa Akhir Tahun 1441 Hijrah, led by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Setia Raja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Suhaili bin Haji Mohiddin.
Twenty-one shots of the cannon were fired, followed by the call for Maghrib prayer by Mudim Haji Abdul Latip bin Haji Saman.
His Majesty and members of the royal family along with congregants performed the mass Maghrib prayer led by Chief Syar’ie Judge Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar, who also led the recitation of the Doa Awal Tahun 1442 Hijrah.
Sunnat Hajat prayer ensued, led by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim.
The Doa Selamat was read by the State Mufti. His Majesty and members of the royal family then performed mass Isyak prayer led by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Setia Raja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Suhaili.
The national celebrations for the Islamic New Year 1442 Hijrah were held in all mosques, suraus and religious halls nationwide with different focal points in each district.
In Tutong District, the focal point was at the Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque, Pekan Tutong. Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof was the guest of honour. The Doa Akhir Tahun 1441 Hijrah and Doa Awal Tahun 1442 Hijrah were recited by Imam of Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque Shahibol bin Haji Mohd Yussof.
RPN Kampong Pandan Mosque was the focal mosque in the Belait District, where Minister of Foreign Affairs II Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof was the guest of honour. RPN Kampong Pandan Mosque Affairs Officer Abdul Qayyuum bin Haji Aminuddin recited the Doa Akhir Tahun 1441 Hijrah and Doa Awal Tahun 1442 Hijrah.
Legislative Council member and Village Head of Kampong Labi 1 Yang Berhormat Hanapi bin Mohd Siput, Acting Assistant Belait District Officer Mohammad Yassin bin Haji Ahmed, as well as mukim penghulus, village heads, and heads of several government departments based in the Belait District were also present.
Meanwhile in the Temburong District, it was held at the Utama Mohammad Salleh Mosque in Pekan Bangar. Minsiter of Transport and Infocommunications Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof was the guest of honour. The Doa Akhir Tahun 1441 Hijrah and Doa Awal Tahun 1442 Hijrah were read by Utama Muhammad Salleh Mosque Affairs Officer Haji Md Shafrillah bin Haji Ahmad.
This year’s national celebrations for the Islamic New Year 1442 Hijrah is themed Generasi Berilmu, Beramal Dan Berakhlak Memacu Pembangunan Umat.