Zamrose is seen hosing down the boys prior to them undergoing circumcision.
KUCHING: A mass ‘berkhatan’ (circumcision) programme conducted by the Eastern Field Command at the Bukavu Hall of Penrissen Camp near here yesterday gathered 50 boys, aged between seven and 13.
The ‘Majlis Berkhatan Perdana’ was conducted ahead of Eastern Field Command’s fifth anniversary celebration, slated for this Sunday (March 31).
Eastern Field Command commander Lt-Gen Datuk Wira Zamrose Mohd Zain was present at Bukavu Hall to perform the ‘water-hosing’ ceremony – a vestige of a past ritual where boys would take a long dip in the river before undergoing circumcision.
Prior to converging on the hall, the boys and their parents gathered at the camp’s Surau Al-Muhajirin, with some of them present before the start of the ceremony at 7am.
Met by reporters later, Zamrose said it was the first mass circumcision ever held by the command, adding that the organising committee took advantage of the week-long first mid-term school holidays.
“Thanks to some Armed Forces ‘zakat’ (tithe) fund, we’re able to gather 50 children of the army personnel and to have them undergo
circumcision for free,” said the commander, who later witnessed some of the boys undergoing the procedure.
Zamrose also mentioned that in view of the Eastern Field Command’s anniversary celebration, there would be a line-up of programmes leading up to March 31 such as ‘tahlil’ (remembrance session), Friday mass prayer, marching exercise and dinner events.
Meanwhile the Eastern Field Command, in a press statement, said the mass ‘berkhatan’ was among the services provided by the Armed Forces Health Service (PKAT).
It said it was also a testament to Armed Forces’ commitment and core focus in providing the best medical services to army families.