BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: His Majesty the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and the Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam joined the Muslim majority citizens in performing the mass Fardhu Zohor prayer as well as the recital of Surah Yaasiin, Tahlil and Doa Kesyukuran in conjunction with the monarch’s 68th birthday anniversary yesterday, Brudirect reported.
Similar ceremonies were also held at the main mosques, suraus and religious halls throughout the country with the main focus at the Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah in Kg Kiarong.
Upon arrival at Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, His Majesty was greeted by Yang Amat Mulia Pg Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pg Anak Hj Abd Aziz Pg Jaya Negara Pg Hj Abu, the Minister of Religious Affairs, Yang Berhormat Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad Pg Hj Abd Rahman, the Minister of Home Affairs, Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman as Chairman of the National Executive Committee for His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s 68th Birthday Celebration and the State Mufti, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr Ustaz Hj Awg Abd Aziz Juned.
Also present were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Mateen and His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Wakeel.
The mass Fardhu Zohor prayer was led by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Imam Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Abd Hamid Bakal.
This was followed by the mass Sunat Hajat prayer, which was led by Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Awg Salim Hj Besar, to seek blessings from Allah the Almighty for the monarch’s longevity and lasting reign over Brunei Darussalam, as well as for the citizens and residents to continue to live in peace, stability and prosperity.
The mass recital of Surah Yaasin was led by the Deputy State Mufti, Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Setia Raja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Awg Hj Suhaili Hj Mohidin. The recitation of Surah Yaasiin was followed by a tahlil for His Majesty’s late parents; Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien dan Al-Marhumah Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit.
The Doa Kesyukuran was then recited by the State Mufti. Together, the congregants also prayed for the safety of the people of Palestine from the blazing impious assaults of bloodthirsty Zionist regime of illegal state of Israel who, as of press time, is actively bombarding the Gaza Strip and effectively terrorising the innocent Arabs trapped in the area.
As in the previous year, His Majesty the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan and the Yang Di-Pertuan’s 68th birthday takes place in the holy and blessed month of Ramadhan. As such, religious-tinged festivities have been lined up for the occasion during a month full of rewards and blessing, including a 68-time Khatam Al-Quran to be performed by members of Mukim and Village Consultative Councils throughout the country.
Such events are held as a mark of appreciation to Allah the Almighty and loyalty to the monarch, while at the same time bolstering solidarity and helping in the realisation of a Zikir Nation. Due to the month of Ramadhan, celebrations in conjunction with His Majesty’s birthday will be held from the August 1 2014 until the end of the month.