Brunei Marks Prophet Muhammad's Birthday With Processions And Speeches

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei yesterday celebrated the birthday of Prophet Muhammad when top royalty walked with the common people around the capital with His Majesty leading the procession.

And elsewhere, similar mass gatherings and processions were held simultaneously in all other districts.

In Bandar Seri Begawan His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah joined citizens in the Maulidur Rasul gathering at the cpital's Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien.

The Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Dato Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Mohammad Zain and other executive committee members of the Islamic Historical Events greeted His Majesty upon arrival.

With him were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammad Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malek and His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Mateen.

The event began with the recitation of the Al Fatihah verses the State Mufti, Pehin Dato Awang Haji Abdul Aziz led.

The Minister of Religious Affairs, who is also the chairman of the executive committee of the Islamic historical event celebration, delivered a welcoming speech.

His Majesty was then introduced to leaders of the participating teams in the Maulud procession.

More than 28,000 people representing 135 teams took part. They comprised ministries, departments, higher learning institutions, schools, associations, mukims and kampong consultative councils, the private sectors as well as uniformed organisations.

The Dikir team of the Prime Minister's Office presented a Dikir Marhaban. At the same time, a 21-gun salute was fired.

This year's theme was "Negara Maju Bangsa Berilmu Berteraskan Wahyu".

The State Mufti, Pehin Dato Awang Haji Abdul Aziz, read Doa Selamat.

Prior to the start of the 4.3 kilometre procession, the capital resounded in the Selawat, praising Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. Pehin Datu Imam Dato Ustaz Haji Abdul Hamid headed the prayers.

His Majesty led the procession around Bandar Seri Begawan. With His Majesty were other members of the royal family.

The participation of teams from various walks of life in the procession symbolised their support for the prophet and his teachings.

His Majesty, in his speech in conjunction with the celebration to commemorate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. on Tuesday night, also outlined the differences before and after the birth of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.

In the Belait District, the gathering and the procession to mark the event was held at the Kuala Belait Recreational Club Field.

More than 8,000 people from 48 teams representing government departments, uniformed organisations, firms, schools and colleges, mosques and associations took part in the gathering.

Present at the function was the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Dato Haji Adnan.

The gathering began with the Al-Quran reading by Awang Abdul Qayyum, winner of the Koran Reading Contest for Youth in the Belait District.

The Belait District Officer Awang Adnan Bin Haji Hanafiah, who is also the chairman of the celebration in addressing the gathering, said Prophet Muhammad's teachings is not only easy to understand but suits all human beings.

One of the many ways to prove one's love for the prophet, he said is by defending and upholding his Sunnah. One should also respect and uphold his teachings as a means to express his or her sincere gratitude to the prophet.

Before the procession began a Marhaban was performed by the Youth Dikir Group of mosque in the Belait District led by Awangku Hidayat Rabiel Awal bin Pengiran Rosli.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs was later introduced to group leaders and presented the certificate of participation.

The Doa Selamat was read by the Imam of Pekan Seria Mosque Awang Haji Ibrahim bin Daud.

The procession started and ended at the Kuala Belait Recreational Club.

Meanwhile, the women gathered at the Belait District Municipal Hall.

The highlight of the function was a religious talk. Among those present was the wife of the Minister of Home Affairs, Datin Hajah Dayang Salmah binti Haji Hanafiah.

The Tutong District Officer, Awang Hepnie who was also the chairman of the executive committee of the Maulud celebration for the district, in his welcoming speech touched on the theme of the Maulud celebration, "Bangsa Berilmu Negara Maju Berteraskan Wahyu."

He called on the people in the country to support the government efforts in developing the nation through education.

Before the procession started the deputy minister of finance has been introduced to the teams' leaders.

The procession began and ended at the field of the Muda Hashim Primary School.

More than 8,000 people representing 45 teams took part in the procession. Meanwhile, the women gathered at a separate venue. More than 1,000 women gathered at the open area of the Tutong Civic Centre.

Present at the ceremony was wife of the Tutong District Head Religious Officer, Isteri Ketua Pegawai Ugama Daerah Tutong Dayang Zainab Awang Haji Tuah.

Among the highlights of the gathering were a Dikir presentation and a religious talk on Maulud celebration.

Meanwhile in the Temburong District, the Maulud gathering was held at the open area of the Pekan Bangar Community Hall.

Present at the ceremony was the Deputy Minister of Education, Dato Awang Haji Suyoi.

In addressing the gathering, Dato Haji Suyoi said muslims is now nearly synonym with failure, Allah the Almighty's gifts in the form of vast amount of natural resources failed to bring many benefits because Muslims are weak in both knowledge and technological field.

Success, which are not managed based knowledge might only brings temporary wealth and could not guarantee the strength and sovereignty of a country.

This is one of the reasons why Muslim countries are easily defeated and influenced. This he added would not happen, if Muslims possessed the sophisticated technology and knowledge.

The procession began and ended at the open space of the community. More than 2,700 participants from 41 teams took part.

During the function, Dato Haji Suyoi presented prizes to the winners of the gathering. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei

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