Sultan Leads Brunei In Hijrah Prayers
By Azlan Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei last night joined thousands of Muslim worshippers in ushering the new Islamic calendar 1426 Hijrah.

Unlike previous years, where it was held at the Jame Asr Hassanal Bolkiah in Kiarong, this year's celebration was held at the Perpindahan Lambak Kanan mosque.

The highlight of the ceremony was the announcement of 'Bakti Hijrah' awards to three recipients.

His Majesty, who was accompanied by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Pg Muda Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, HRH Prince Abdul Malik and HRH Prince Abdul Mateen, was greeted on arrival by Pehin Dato Seri Utama Dr. Ustaz Hj Mohd Zain, the Minister of Religious Affairs, and other executive committee members.

The ceremony began with a year-end 1425 Hijrah prayer read by Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin.

It was followed by a mass Maghrib prayer led by Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Awg Hj Yahya, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs.

To usher in the Hijrah 1426, a prayer was read and led by Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Awg Hi Yahya.

This was followed by the reading of the Holy Quran and a welcome speech by the Minister of Religious Affairs.

His Majesty later presented the 'Bakti Hijrah' awards. The recipients are Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abd Rahman B. Pehin Khatib Abdullah, Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Mahalle B. Hj Abdullah and Awg Hj Umarali B. Esung.

Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abd Rahman was among the first locals who administered the religious schooling system in the 60s, which was done by foreigners.

He played a big role in handling revision classes for local religious teachers in the 60s and 70s as well as in overcoming the problem of the lack of classrooms for religious school students.

Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Mahalle was one of the locals entrusted with handling the religious school administration system in the 60s aside from the foreigners recruited from overseas.

Among his major contributions while at the Islamic Dakwah Centre was his investigations on deviation activities like Al-Arqam, Bahai religion that spread in the rural Tutong areas.

During the rebellion in 1962, he was working in Tutong and in an act of courage and determination, he managed to save important government files, documents and cash kept at the Tutong Religious Office.

The third recipient, Hj Umar Ali embraced Islam about 50 years ago. He is the leader and pioneer of the Muslim Converts Association in Tutong (PESATU).

In propagating Islam, he called on his family members and Dusun communities to understand the teachings of Islam.

During his leisure, he joined a delegation to propagate Islam in the rural Bukit Sawat area.

Each recipient received a cash prize of $10,000, a certificate of appreciation, a souvenir and a first class facility for medical treatment in all hospitals in the country.

His Majesty later performed an Isyak prayer led by Pehin Datu Imam Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Awg Abd Hamid B. Bakal.

The theme for this year's celebration is "United Towards Empowering Pious Society". -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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