BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: His Majesty the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddien Waddaulah, the Sultan and the Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to the enactment of the Brunei Technical Education Institutes Order 2013; the issuance of the Technical and Vocational Education Transformation White Paper; as well as to the Brunei Darussalam Technical Education Upgrading Plan 2013-2018. The transformation of which would allow attaining the skills, knowledge and other values for lifelong learning, as well as undergoing training conducive to employment stimulation, ©BRUDIRECT.COM reported.
In the titah at the National Isra’ Mi’raj 1435 Hijrah Celebration yesterday, His Majesty also highlighted the importance of mosques, religious and Arabic schools buildings whereby the monarch stressed those facilities as symbols of Islamic eminence, religious and Arabic school buildings and they should be distinct in features and their construction running smoothly. This is to ensure that religious education in the country is not discarded or left behind simply because of planning and construction delays.
Considering the special status of mosques, His Majesty also emphasised that the buildings must conform to the desired characteristics such as design, minaret, parking space and sound system. The Isra’ Mi’raj Celebration took place at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was greeted on arrival at the International Convention Centre by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Yang Berhormat Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Md Pg Hj Abd Rahman as Chairman of the Eminent Islamic Days Glorification Executive Committee for the Year 1435 Hijrah, and other Executive Committee and working committee members.
Accompanying His Majesty at the national celebration were His Majesty’s princesses and brothers; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abduk Malik; and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel.
The recitation of Verses of Al-Qur’an from Surah Al-Insan by the Imam of Masjid As-Sholihin, Awg Hj Md Aslinan Hj Metussin, among other things underlined that Allah the Almighty revealed the Al-Qur’an, which holds a promise that would be pleasing for those who abide by Him and a devastating threat to those who disobey His Command even after He gave the signs of His Existence through various creations both in heavens and on Earth.
This year’s celebration was to be further enlivened with the presentation of the Excellent Imam and Excellent Bilal Awards. The Minister of Religious Affairs, in his welcoming address among other things stated that the awards are meant as a form of recognition and appreciation to the recipients, Imams and bilals throughout the entire country as they strive to raise their quality of service.
The Minister of Religious Affairs added that the awards would also encourage them to step up their efforts and initiatives in setting a good illustrative example, with quality, as well as to exercise good leadership and competence in further advancing mosques, suraus and prayer halls throughout the country.
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, in the titah, pointed out that although the historically significant Isra’ Mi’raj of Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalam is commemorated on every 27th of Rejab, there never has been a dull moment in celebrating it. The Monarch added that true Muslims welcome it with joy because commemorating Isra’ Mi’raj is always filled with beneficial lessons and examples.
The theme of this year’s Isra’ Mi’raj celebration is “Prayer, the Core Strength of the Ummah.” The Acting Rector of Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), Pg Anak Dr Hj Amiruddin Alam Shah Pg Anak Hj Islamil in a special lecture stressed that the strength of the Ummah stems from the awareness on the part of each Muslim individual of the reality of the pious act of prayer, which serves as the yardstick for his devotion to Allah the Almighty.
The Acting Rector also highlighted the implementation of the Shari’ah Penal code Order which he said was a “special gift” from the Monarch to the people in His Majesty’s determination to uphold the Laws of Allah the Almighty in the name of justice and security. This included the rule on the Friday prayer. He said for the successful implementation of the Friday prayer rule, all business premises and offices, entertainment, recreational and sport centres, including cinemas, playing fields, hawker centres, markets and mall are ordered to close from 12pm to 2pm. The directive was issued and enforced on the 2nd of November 2012. Its main aim is to educate the Ummah to discipline themselves by respecting prayer times and performing the prayer.
Among the selection criteria for the recipient of Excellent Imam Award are possessing reading and pronunciation abilities at a very “good level”, with fluency and correctness; possessing a good voice; humility in character; high esteem; good moral conduct; and possessing a good level of knowledge, with the ability to impart that knowledge effectively.
The Excellent Imam Award went to Yang Dimuliakan Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Hj Hamidon Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Abd Hamid, the Imam of the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque. The recipient presented a recitation of Verses of Al-Qur’an at the ceremony.
The criteria for the recipient of the Excellent Bilal Award, meanwhile, include the ability to deliver the Azan or call for prayer well; a melodic voice, with fluent and correct reading and pronunciation; high esteem and good moral conduct. The award went to Mudim Awg Hj Amran Hj Md Salleh, Mosque Officer from Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque. The recipient performed the call to prayer (azan), which reverberated solemnly throughout the International Convention Centre.
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to present the Excellent Imam and Excellent Bilal Awards for the year 1435 Hijrah. Yang Dimuliakan Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Hj Hamidon Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Abd Hamid received a BND$10,000 worth in cash, an award certificate, souvenir and free medical services at a First Class Ward in any government hospital in the country.
Mudim Awg Hj Ambran Hj Md Salleh, meanwhile, received a BND$7,000 cash award, an award certificate, a souvenir and free medical services at a First Class Ward in any government hospital in the country.
To seek further blessing for the celebration, doa selamat was read by the State Mufti, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr Ustaz Hj Awg Abd Aziz Juned.
The historic Isra’ and Mi’raj among other things brought the command of praying five times a day for Muslims. As a pillar of Islam, prayer constitutes the core and litmus of the strength of Muslims, be it in the aspects of belief, piety and devotion towards Allah the Almighty. Whenever a pillar of Islam is raised, it means the shaping of Muslims that are resilient and strong in faith and belief and who are not easily swayed by external elements that attempt to rival the eminence of Islam.