Bandar Seri Begawan - The first flight carrying 137 intending Haj pilgrims from Humairah Travel Centre (Borneo) Sdn Bhd, HTH Travel Agency and Straits Central Agencies (B) Sdn Bhd, along with six medical officers to the holy land of Mecca departed yesterday on flight B1 4177 from Bandar Seri Begawan to Medinah.

Due to the upgrading constructions at the Brunei International Airport that are currently ongoing, the Hajj Management Department, Ministry of Religious Affairs, has arranged a location for transit or holding hall for the pilgrims at the Indoor Stadium of Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.

The pilgrims spent time with their families and friends at the Indoor Stadium before they arrived at the airport via shuttle buses. Prior to that, a Doa Selamat was recited by Awg Hj Samsul bin Hj Abd Latif, a Mosque Affairs Officer, to bless the intending pilgrims.

Present at the airport to meet the intending pilgrims were the Minister of Religious Affairs, Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad bin Pengiran Hj Abdul Rahman, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs and permanent secretaries at the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Also present were members of the advisory board of the Hajj pilgrims meeting and officers from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Meanwhile at the airport a Doa Selamat was also recited by Pehin Khatib Hj Suhaili bin Metali Al-Hafiz when the pilgrims boarded the plane, and also before the plane took off Mudim Awg Hj Metassim bin Hj Metussin then performed the call of Azan.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin