Sultan presents mosque awards
By Mohd Bahrin

It was the fifth time the Award for the Distinguished Mosque (Anugerah Ta'amir Masjid) has been presented. It is held every two years.

The winner in the main mosque category was Mohammad Jamalul Alam Mosque of Kuala Belait, the mukim mosque category was won by Kg Bunut Mosque, the kampung mosque category was won Kg Sungai Hanching and the prayer place/prayer hall category was won by the Kg Sengkarai prayer hall.

In his welcoming address, the Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Dato Dr Ustaz Hj Mohd Zain bin Haji Serudin as the Chairman for the Executive Committee for the Isra' Wa Me'Raj Celebration said that the achievements to glorify the mosques and make them prosper are due to the commitment and responsibility of the mosque officials. These officials are fully supported by the committee members of the mosque as well as the residents in the vicinity of the mosque.

"At this moment, efforts to glorify and prosper mosques with activities are being stepped up. This is due to the consciousness and sense of responsibility of the society towards mosques which can ensure happiness from Allah," said Pehin Dato Dr Ustaz Haji Mohd Zain.

The winning mosques have made achievements by living up to the true roles of the mosques, inviting the society to get involved in their programmes and activities.

Their objectives are to take care of the welfare of the kampung members at all levels including youths, children, students, the private sector and residents. Apart from conducting religious classes, seminars, forums and other social activities, the mosques have initiated other efforts to inculcate public interest in mosques.

An official from the winning Mohammad Jamalul Alam Mosque in Kuala Belait, Imam Hj Jayah bin Buntar took pride in the mosque, whose achievements included winning the Belait district Dzikir competition and title of the best landscape for mosque in the district. "And at the moment, we have sent some of our youths to undergo training with RBA in catering, this in fact will improve our needs in organising functions held by the mosque."

Imam Haji Juffli Hj Mega from the winning Kampung Bunut Mosque for the Mukim Mosque category said that the mosque has achieved success in organising the Humanitarian Bazaar for the Kosovo War victims. "We have our own website and at the moment the mosque is undergoing an expansion project due to the increase of worshippers especially for the Friday prayers," said Imam Haji Juffli.

The winner in the Kampung Mosque category, the Kg Sungai Hanching Mosque took pride in their young generation. "The mosque committee has a number of young people who regularly took part in events and activities organised by the mosque. We also conducted educational visits and extra classes for the children during the holidays," said an official, Bilal Hj Md Ashraf bin Hj Bujang.

For the winners in the prayer place/prayer hall category, Kg Sengkarai prayer hall, it is the second time it has received the award. The previous award was in 1996/1417H.

Although the prayer hall can only accommodate 500 worshippers, it has made good use of modern technology by launching a website to communicate with other mosques throughout the world.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin