Bandar Seri Begawan - The first day of the new year Hijrah 1431 kicked off with religious lectures after the dawn prayers and walkathons to raise funds ran simultaneously in all the country's four districts yesterday.

About 1,000 participants took part in the Riadah Hijrah (recreational activities) at the Brunei-Mart District which took place at the Lambak Kanan National Housing Plan (RPN) Mosque in Berakas.

The participants consisted of male officers and staff of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and its various departments, residence of the Lambak Kanan Housing, The Takmir Mosque Committee Members of the Brunei-Muara District and the Brunei-Muara Mosque Youth.

Participants first assembled at the Lambak Kanan RPN Mosque for mass dawn prayers followed with a lecture delivered by Hj Nralizam Hj Aliakhbar from Islamic Da'wah Centre. The event proceeded with a short warm up session led by representatives from the Ministry of Culture. Youth and Sports before participants took off on a 3 kin brisk walk to the Kg Salambigar Mosque. Simulating Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) journey from Mekah to Madinah over 14 centuries ago.

Organised by the Mosque Affairs Department and Islamic Eminence Development Section, the activity was held to mark the Islamic new year of Hijrah 1431 as well as to promote a healthy lifestyle through physical exercise.

The event was also aimed at raising funds and an opportunity for participants to make a charitable contribution. 70 per cent of the total fund collected will be donated to the earthquake victims of Indonesia and the storm-hit Philippines. Where as the remaining 30 percent will be used for mosques nationwide to help fund their activities for the wear.

Joining in the Riadah Hijrah was Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Mohd Zain Hi Serudin.

Also present was Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman. Permancha secretary Hj Mohd Mahdi Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Diraja Daro l.aila Utama Hj Abdul Rahman and deputy permanent secretary Pg Hj Bahrom Pg Hj Bahar as well other senior officers of the ministry.

In Tutong District, the Riadah Hijrah activities took place at Kg Penabai in Kuala Tutong.

Organised by the Religious Affairs Department and the Tutong's Mosque affairs division, and was presented by Dr Andas Hj Ishmuhadi.

After the talk, the walkathon commenced and ended at Kg Sengkarai Tutong Religious hall.

Among the participants were the Tutong Mosque's committee members, officers and staff of various government departments and the acting Tutong District's officer Hj Mohd Sufian Hj Bungsu.
Meanwhile the Belait community gathered at the Kg Pandan Mosque to celebrate the coming of Hijrah 1431 with a 6km walk to Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam Mosque in Kuala Belait.

Leading the way in the early morning walk was Belait District Officer Hi Jamain Momin who was joined by the Belait Head of Religious Affairs Pg Hj Yunus Pg Hj Mohd Salleh and other community leaders from around the district.

Apart from welcoming the new year the Riadah 11 i rnh was also to collect funds for earthquake victims in Indonesia and the Philippines. A total of $213 was collected at the end of the day. The funds also received contributions from two companies in the district which donated a sum of $500 each.

On hand to receive the donation was Belait Bead of Religious Affairs Pg Hi Yunus Pg Hj Mohd Salleh, who commended the donors for their willingness to lend a helping hand to those in need no matter where they were in the world.

I le also said that their contribution on such a special occasion was considered as a blessing as the money collected would find their way to help the victims who were in need of assistance.

According to the organisers. 70 per cent of the total collcection will be donated to the fund, while the rest will be handed over to the Belait district Mosques Committee.

In Temburong District the venue of the event was Kg Belais Mosque.

Proceedings began with the dawn prayer, followed by a lecture by Ustaz sham Ismail,

Present as guest of honour was Metussin Orang Kaya Sura Tuba. Tembumng District Officer. Also present was Hj Mail Besar, Chief religious Officer for Temburong District.

Some 215 paiticipants comprised government officers and staff, uniformed agencies and Mosque Takmir Committee took part in the one kilometre walk from Kg Belais Mosque to Kg Puni Mosque.

The event ended with the presentation of the sum of money $200.30 collected during the walkathon.

Thirty per cent of the funds raised will be directed to the Indonesian Earthquake and Philippines Typhoon funds while 70 per cent will go to the Department of Mosque Affairs, Temburong District's fund for their future activities. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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