JALAN BABU RAJA, BRUNEI-MUARA: Balai Pameran Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah is a realisation of the aspiration of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in fulfilling the appropriateness of Islamic knowledge as a heritage that is still kept largely in manuscripts and other Islamic heritage materials, the excellent quality of which are to be restored,©BRUDIRECT.COM reported.
The construction of a new exhibition gallery building with the concept of a knowledge museum, reflects the intellectualism of a true Muslim Monarch’s leadership. His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, yesterday consented to officiate at the laying of foundation for the new Balai Pameran Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.
On arrival at the Project site in Jalan Pengiran Babu Raja, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was greeted by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, the Minister of Development; Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, the Second Minister of Finance at the Prime Minister’s Office, as the Co-Chairman of the Ceremony; Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office; and Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr. Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.
Also present 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 Haji Jefri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah al-Fatihah led by the State Mufti.
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam then consented to watch an animation video presentation on the project of the Balai Pameran Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. The four-minute long video clip showed the exterior interior design of the building. The BND$120 million building is expected to be completed in March 2017. The six-storey new building will replace the temporary Exhibition Hall at the basement and first floor of the DarulIfta building under the administration of the State Mufti Department. The new exhibition hall will not only extend the function and agenda of collecting the materials for permanent exhibition, but will continue to expand the knowledge in Islamic heritage, particularly through research and dissemination of the research findings for Islam, the Muslim community and humanity.
His Majesty was then invited to officiate the laying of foundation for the Balai Pameran Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Building.
After that, His Majesty consented to sign the Commemorative Plaque for the Foundation-Laying ceremony.
To seek blessings for the ceremony, the doa selamat was read by the State Mufti.
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam also consented to view an exhibition on the design of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Islamic Exhibition Hall. The briefing was presented by Dato Paduka Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Ghafar, the Permanent Secretary for Technical and Professional Matters at the Ministry of Development. The design concept of the building is a modern integration of Islamic architectural art and Malay Culture symbolising the excellence of the Islamic art as well as the high aspiration of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam to restore the excellence of Islamic knowledge and at the same time generate Islamic civilisation for the benefit of the well-being and progress of the Muslim ummah and humanity.
A briefing on the interior design was presented by Dato Paduka Awang Haji Ahmad Bukhari bin Pehin Siraja Khatib Haji Abu Hanifah, Director of Administration at the State Mufti Department. This six-storey building including the basement will display the personal collection of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
Its interior design clearly reflects His Majesty’s vision, depicting an integration of the decoration design with the colour scheme that portrays the meaning of His Majesty’s intellectualism, from the main lobby up to the other parts of the interior. The main exhibition halls comprise nine halls categorised into three sections with 29 different themes.
The First Section – the Special Hall named, “Kebestarian Raja Mukmin” will display the history of the arrival and development of Islam in Brunei Darussalam and the True Muslim Monarch in Upholding the Eminence of Islam.
Meanwhile, the second section – “Sumber Ilmu” (Source of Knowledge), contains 4 halls exhibiting Al-Quran, Al-Anbiya, manuscripts on the Prophets and Knowledge Heritage. The third section depicting the greatness of Allah, will contain four halls. Among them are displays of places like the Al-Aqsa and Al-Haramain, Creation of Humans and the Universe in the perspectives of Islam, Science and Islamic Arts.
A collection of over 1,000 manuscripts and hundreds of artifacts symbolising the achievements of Islamic clerics or experts and historic institutions including objects like walking sticks, prayer beads and the signs of Allah’s greatness, will be exhibited.
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was invited to sign a Special Commemorative Parchment and then consented to receive a pasambah.
At the end of the visit, His Majesty consented to proceed for a refreshment. Establishment of the Balai Pameran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah is a platform for propagation of Islamic teachings that can open the minds of visitors with a new experience through knowledge that is beneficial to all generations, so that the strength of aqidah will be secured forever in line with His Majesty’s pure intention to uphold Islamic knowledge and values in Brunei Darussalam – the Abode of Peace.