Filipina Embraces Islamic Faith
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan - A 24-year-old Filipina domestic helper, Janeth Delos Reyes Gregorio, embraced the Islamic faithin a conversion ceremony held yesterday afternoon at the residence of Hi Ahmad Hassan Hj Ahim, Ketua Kampong of Kiarong.

During the ceremony, Janeth chose the Islamic name of Nur Suhairiah bte Abdullah as she uttered the religious syahadah in front of officers from the Islamic Dakwah Centre of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The new convert also received gifts from the Islamic Dakwah Centre. Also attending the ceremony were Dato Paduka Hj Mahmud Hj Bakyr, the special duties officer at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports as well as Hj Ahmad Hj Tudin, the deputy Auditor General at the Prime Minister's Office and his wife. A 'berdikir' ceremony was also held at the function.

Nur Suhairiah has been working as a maid for the family of Hjh Razanah for about four years now.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Dakwah Centre said 9,264 people from throughout the country have converted to Islam over the last 20 years from 1985 to 2004.

Of the total people converted, 4,114 came from the Brunei-Muara District, followed by 2,316 from the Tutong District, 2,204 from the Belait District and 630 from the Temburong District.

As an institution to propagate Islam and its teachings, the Islamic Dakwah Centre plays a pivotal role in disseminating and providing information on Islamic knowledge.

The centre holds talks and courses to provide guidance to Muslims and non-Muslims alike in the Sultanate in accordance to the concept of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah of the Syafi'ie sect.

The centre is also tasked at maintaining unity in the Muslim community pertaining to opinions on religious laws so that there is no confusion and doubts in matters relating to Islam.

To maintain the Islamic faith among the converts, the centre provides continuous and proper guidance through courses on Islam and religious activities such as tadarus al-Quran, tarawih prayer, khatam al- Quran and breaking fast with converts, as well as organises competitions in reading and memorising verses from the holy Quran and dikir syarafil anam.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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