Bandar Seri Begawan - The second batch of 267 intending Haj pilgrims left the Sultanate for Medina, Saudi Arabia last night, accompanied by six medical personnel, to perform the Haj.

Due to the ongoing upgrading of the Brunei International Airport, the Haj Management Department of the Ministry of Religious Affairs has arranged for transit on behalf of pilgrims at the Indoor Stadium of Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports complex in Berakas to the airport via shuttle buses.

Present to bid farewell to the pilgrims were the Minister of Religious Affairs, Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad bin Pg Hj Abdul Rahman; Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Permanent Secretary, Deputy Permanent Secretary, and officers of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Haj Advisory Board.

To bless the flight, a 'doa selamat' was read by Begawan Pehin Khatib Hj Zainuddin bin BPSRK DSS Hj Tamin, which followed by an Azan conducted by Mudim Hj Ahmad Kasra bin Hj Ibrahim.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin