Bandar Seri Begawan - Twelve Haj pilgrims from the Ministry of Defence and Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) who have completed this year's pilgrimage, as well as 20 members of the RBAF who have completed their task with Malaysian Battalion 4 (MALLBATT 4) for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission were celebrated with a Doa Kesyukuran (thanksgiving doa) ceremony yesterday morning. The event was held at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Bolkiah Garrison surau yesterday morning.

The ceremony was attended by the Commander of the RBAF, Major General Dato Paduka Seri Hj Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Hj Abidin; the Permanent Secretary (Defence Policy and Development) at the Ministry of Defence, Colonel (Rtd) Pg Dato Paduka Hj Azmansham bin Pg Hj Mohamad, defence executive committee members, civil and military directors, senior officers, officers, and staff of MINDEF and RBAF.

The ceremony began with the recitation of holy verses from Al-Quran by LCpl Pg Hj Kamarul Sarip bin Pg Hj Seripudin, which was then followed with a recital of Ratib Al-Attas, Zikir Marhaban and a doa kesyukuran, led by Imam Suief bin Abdullah, Imam of the Ministry of Defence Surau, to bless their return.

'The ceremony was aimed at showing their gratitude for the safe return of officers and members of MINDEF and RBAF on the completion of their tasks and Haj pilgrimage, and to show appreciation for their service overseas as well as ask for blessings from Allah the Almighty to welcome home the 'Guests of Allah the Almighty' in the spirit of welfare, unity and 'Zikrullah'.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin