Brunei Sends Off First Haj Batch
By Khairunnisa Ibrahim

Bandar Seri Begawan - The departure hall of the Brunei International Airport became the setting for an emotional sending off for the initial batch of haj pilgrims.

Well-wishers came out in force to pack the venue, some arriving as early as 8 in the morning although the flight was only scheduled to leave at 11.15am.

The send off was a lively one, with family members and friends dispensing well-wishes and advice, exchanging embraces and clasping the hands of the pilgrims.

Several senior government officials were also present to wish the pilgrims a safe journey, led by the Acting Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustadz Awang Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Othman.

Also in attendance were Permanent Secretary of Religious Affairs Dato Paduka Abdul Rahman Mohiddin, Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office and Chairman of RBA Pengiran Dato Paduka Abdul Hamid Pengiran Mohd Yassin, Permanent Secretary of Home Affairs and Chairman of Darussalam Holding Dato Paduka Yusoff Ismail, Deputy Permanent Secretary o Religious Affairs Dato P uka Ishaag Abdullah, Acting Director of the Haj Management Section Pengiran Mustapha Pengiran Aliuddin.

Yesterday's batch, comprising of 230 passengers under the Darussalam Holding and Humaira Travel Centre Haj packages, was the first out of six that would be gathering with other devotees in the holy city of Mekkah in Saudi Arabia to conduct the pilgrimage for the Islamic year 1427.

The next group would be leaving today (Friday) afternoon while the next four flights bearing the remaining pilgrims would be departing on the ninth, 11th, 12th and 15th of December respectively.

Over 70 government staff and officials, including medical personnel and a Radio Television Brunei correspondent, have been assigned to be on duty throughout the haj proceedings, to ensure the safety and welfare of the pilgrims.

Yesterday's batch counted several dignitaries among its members, including Deputy Minister of Education Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Mohammad Pengiran Abdul Rahman and Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Dato Paduka Adenan Hanafiah. Before the flight, a special doa was read to bless the pilgrims' journey, read by Pehin Udana Khatib Awang Mustapha Murad.

For Zainab Haji Ismail, a Darussalam Holding package holder, this pilgrimage is her first. Accompanied by her husband, Awang Basar Abdul Kahar, she disclosed the couple had been planning to perform the pilgrimage for several years.

The haj is one of the five pillars of Islam, after the testimony of faith (syahadah), prayer (shalat), giving alms or tithe (zakat) and fasting (shaum) in the month of Ramadan. It is enjoined upon Muslims to perform the haj at least once in their lifetime, provided they are able-bodied and have the means to do so. Every year, more than two million Muslims from around the world gather in Mekkah for the haj. The proceedings, which include the thawaf or circumambulation of the Kaabah, peak with the wuquf (standing) on the Plain of Arafat. This involves spending time for worshiping. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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