Bandar Seri Begawan - A Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) personnel of Dusun ethnicity, 8966 PW1 Silim bin Kilar with his wife and eight children embraced Islam recently and took the Islamic oath by reciting the Dua Kalimah Syahadah in a conversion ceremony held at his residence in Kampong Kiudang, Jalan Kuala Abang, Tutong. He is currently working in the Infantry School, Training Institute, RBAF, Penanjong Garrison.

The guest of honour at the ceremony was Pehin Dato Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Md Yussof, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs. Also in attendance were Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, the Commander of RBAF; Tutong District Officer, Mukim Penghulu, village head, RBAF TI Commander, Tutong District Islamic Dakwah Centre officer, guests and family members.

The ceremony began with the recitation of Al-Quran, from Surah Taha starting from verse one to 10, by 16791 Lkpl Haji Mohd Yusri bin Haji Awg Yusof from RBAF Religious Department, followed by taking the Islamic oath by reciting the Dua Kalimah Syahadah before officers from the Islamic Dakwah Centre, Tutong. A Dikir Marhaban presentation and sprinkling of scented flower further enlivened the ceremony, with the presentation of RBAF souvenir by the Commander of RBAF to Silim and a Doa Selamat read by 761 Captain Ariffin bin Amit, Chief Assistant of RBAF Religious Department.

8966 PW1 Silim bin Kilar has chosen Muhammad Syalim bin Abdullah Kilar as his Muslim name. According to statistics provided by the RBAF Religious Department, this was the fourth conversion ceremony held since January.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin