BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The country will never cease striving for prosperity by using science and technology to promote good and oppose vice for the sake of humanity. In a titah, His Majesty the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, stresses that products of the country’s science and technology civilisation will benefit others because our civilisation is wholly dedicated for good cause with blessings from Allah the Almighty and success in the Hereafter. His Majesty states this in the titah at the launch of the Knowledge Convention 2014 at the International Convention Centre in Berakas yesterday, ©BRUDIRECT.COM reported.
On arrival at the ICC, His Majesty was greeted by the Minister of Development, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Suyoi Hj Osman, as the Co-Chairman of the Knowledge Convention 2014 Executive Committee, the Minister of Home Affairs, Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman, as well as members of the Knowledge Convention 2014 Steering Committee.
Also present were His Majesty’s brother and princes, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel.
The Knowledge Convention 2014 ceremony began with the recitation of Al-Quran courtesy of the 15th International Al-Quran Reading Competition winner in Moscow, Russia, Awg Mohammad Ali.
This year’s Knowledge Convention focuses on the theme, “Science and Technology – the Catalyst of Development and Improves the Quality of Life of the Ummah.” The Minister of Development in his welcoming address clarified that the theme is aimed at disseminating information on the government efforts towards achieving a continuous high quality of life for the people and for the country to be among the top nations of the world according to the Human Resource Development Index.
According to the Minister, Knowledge Convention 2014 highlights the role and contributions of Science and Technology in all aspects of life, and development and responsibility of the Muslim ummah (community) in preserving a balance of their achievements, as well as to enhance the values of Islamic principles in line with the concept of a Zikir Nation.
In the opening Titah, His Majesty describes science and technology as the benchmark of life quality and no one can ignore the history of knowledge-based civilisation that was responsible for ensuring the continuance of life among mankind.
In the titah, the Monarch states the following; “When we are to talk about the role of science and technology, we cannot ignore the historical significance of Renaissance in Europe. The era (Renaissance) had produced multitude of inventions and designs thanks to their knowledge in science and technology that proved to be useful for the community.”
“The groundbreaking Renaissance-era inventions had raised the standards of living among the Europeans at that time. People from both the Eastern and Western hemisphere began learning science. In an enthusiastic bid to raise the quality of life, Muslims must exercise caution in following the current mainstream in nation-building efforts. Science and technology has never been the issue, as Islam too had contributed significant amount of wisdom in the latter during the heyday of human civilisation based on Al-Quran. However, the significance (of science in Al-Quran) was left unaddressed. Indeed, it is wrong to solely attribute the scientific knowledge to man while eschewing its association with God’s divinity.”
“But such wisdom is just a shred from the fabric of knowledge, and His be the knowledge and it does not belong to no man for it is awarded to humanity as a blissful pleasure (nikmat) to be utilised appropriately. Speaking of nikmat, Allah the Almighty has reminded us that we shall be held accountable during the Day of Judgement as to how and what have we done with the nikmat He has endowed upon us. For this, we can refer to Surah At-Takathur (Rivalry in World Increase).”
“When the Lord is dissociated from science and technology, the application which leads mankind to abandon Godhood, subsequent arrogance will occur as a result of man’s disobedience towards His Creator. In this perspective, let us observe the wrath of Allah the Almighty upon the people of A’ad who were endowed with exceptional knowledge and skills in architectural designs but refused to acknowledge the existence and supremacy of Allah the Almighty. Prophet Hud Alaihissalam was sent to his people so he could restore God’s order among the A’ad and deliver them from evil. Their vehement refusal and unprecedented arrogance invoked the wrath of Allah the Almighty which eventually resulted in the destruction of the A’ad and their architectural achievements in a most violent blood storm”
“Left behind we are not as we too are using science and technology in developing our nation, constantly keeping ourselves up-to-date with any information pertaining to science and technology be it in road construction, homes and structural designs, building bridges, electricity and water supply, medical facility, dietary, education and many more. We, however, are benefiting from science and technology for something positive and not creating destruction upon the face of the Earth. In other word, we are trying to build a civilisation from science and technology with a solid conviction in Allah the Almighty.”
“We first drafted our civilisation beginning with education, as we also educate the people of our nation with science and technology that do not contradict the Islamic laws and values. Nowhere do we accept science and technology as a means to diminish the power of the Lord, but we do it (accept science and technology) as a way to appreciate Him. Similarly, we reject science and technology that are destructive to the world and its habitat but we readily welcome (science and technology) that are keen on harmonising the Earth in lieu with altruism and humanity.”
“Shall then our scientists and technology being born, we will give them our full support and sufficient facility to continue doing research and development, the results which shall propel us as the first and foremost nation with success, all with the blessings from Allah the Almighty. Once we are successful, we must not refrain from helping others with our civilisation while promoting good deed and fight against vice for humanity.”
“This means that others, by the will of Allah the Almighty, will benefit from our scientific and technological civilisation for ours is wholly dedicated to good deeds, Godhood and victory, here and After.”
The State Mufti, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr. Ustaz Haji Awg Abdul Aziz bin Juned delivered a Special Talk on the theme of this year’s Knowledge Convention.
Among other things the theme stresses faith and piety together with science and technology must have a role in development. This is because the aspired development is one that brings blessings. Yang Berhormat also mentioned giving sadaqah or alms that is not limited to individuals, associations and companies only, but from the government to the people as well.
To bless the ceremony, Doa Selamat was read by the State Mufti. The Knowledge Convention this year explains discusses and displays types of knowledge in science and technology from the Islamic and Syariah ethics and perspectives. It focuses on science and technology as the catalyst of sustainable development and improving the people’s life quality.