His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam, yesterday graced the 70 Times Khatam Al-Quran ceremony held in conjunction with His Majesty's 70th birthday celebrations at the Istana Nurul Iman.

A total of 1,708 participants took part in the mass recitations, which commenced simultaneously in all four districts on March 1, and ended at the Istana Nurul Iman yesterday.

Accompanying Their Majesties to the religious event were Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik; Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi'atul Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Wakeel; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nurul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassadors-at-large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kaithum Al-Islam.

Their Majesties and other members of the royal family were greeted on arrival by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Home Affairs, in his capacity as the Chairman of the National Executive Committee for His Majesty's 70th birthday celebrations; and Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, the Minister of Religious Affairs.

The religious ceremony commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

This was followed by a mass recitation of selected chapters from the Al-Quran, led by a student from the Hassanal Bolkiah Arabic Boys Secondary School (SMALHB).

The Khatam Al-Quran  participants comprised mainly of members from the Mukim and Village Consultative Councils in all four districts.

Each district was represented by adults constituting 70 men and 70 women, and youths constituting 70 boys and 70 girls.

The ceremony also saw the participation of 180 boys and 102 girls from various religious institutions, including the Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (YSHHB) Primary School.

Among the young participants was the grandchild of His Majesty, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Abdul Haseeb bin Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Rahim.

The religious event also featured students from secondary and vocational schools, as well as from higher education institutes.

The Doa Takhtim was read by female officers and religious teachers from the Islamic Studies Department, while Tahlil was read by officers and. Imams from the Mosque Affairs Department.

The Doa Khatam was read by a student from the Youth Tilawah Al-Quran Scheme (STAR) Programme of Tutong District.

The Dikir Marhaban was recitedby officers and imam from the Mosque Affairs Department, and female religious teachers from the Islamic Studies Department, along with the Khatam Al-Quran participants.

The Doa Selamat was read by the State Mufti.

Before departing the religious ceremony, His Majesty received a Junjung Ziarah from the male participants, while Her Majesty received a Junjung Ziarah from the female participants.

The 70 Times Khatam Al-Quran ceremony was inaugurated in 2011, and represents His Majesty's aspirations for an increased AlQuran literacy among the Brunei population, in addition to a heightened appreciation for the Al-Quran.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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