Bandar Seri Begawan - Several qurban ceremonies were held yesterday on the first day of Aidil Adha. The Ministry of Defence held the qurban ceremony at its surau in the Bolkiah Garrison yesterday afternoon.

The ceremony was witnessed by Deputy Minister of Defence Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Paduka Hj Mohammad Yasmin Hj Umar and Acting Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Brigadier General Hj Aminuddin Ihsan Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Hj Abidin, and other senior officers at the ministry.

A total of five cows and two goats were sacrificed for the celebration, with the meat distributed to deserving recipients, said a statement issued by the ministry yesterday.

In addition to fostering closer ties among MinDef officers and personnel and the RBAF, the ritual also served to remind all Muslims of the reason behind celebrating the "auspicious day with joy and happiness towards achieving more protection, health and prosperity".

The Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College (KUPU SB) held a similar ceremony in the open area outside its Main Hall.

The meat was distributed to the poor by the Raes of KUPU SB, Ustazah Hjh Masnon Hj Ibrahim.

According to Dean of Student Affairs Hj Yahya Apong, three buffaloes and one goat was sacrificed for this year's Aidil Adha.

A representative of the college said the qurban meat was being distributed to over 100 families, but 40 of the recipients were invited to the main event because they fell under the category of being poor.

In Belait, members of the local community, from the District Officer to senior citizens, came united under one roof yesterday as they pitched in to help slaughter and distribute meat for this year's Aidil Adha celebration.

Gathering at the Serikandi Group of Companies (SGC) flagship restaurant compound in Kuala Belait, people from all walks of life attended the function and volunteered their help.

The event was organised by SGC and assisted by the Belait District Office together with the Mukim Kuala Belait Consultative Council and Village Consultative Councils.

SGC donated 20 goats and two buffaloes that were sacrificed and distributed to the poor in the Belait community with the help of the District Office and community leaders.

SGC CEO Sheikh HJ Khalid Sheikh Hj Ahmad said the event was one of many organised by the group to celebrate annual Islamic occasions.

Belait District Officer Hj Jamain Momin agreed with Sheikh HJ Khalid's comments that such events helped foster community spirit, as shown by the attendance of recipients and volunteers yesterday. "It is always pleasant to see the community helping one another like today," he said. This is part of our culture which we need to reclaim, said the district officer, as the practice is easily the most direct approach towards creating a safe and secure environment by which we can develop into a closely-knit community.

He also commended SGC's initiative and set an example for other companies and government agencies to follow.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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