By Azlan Othman
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday joined hundreds of Muslim worshippers in performing a Hari Raya Aidil Adha prayer at Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah mosque in Kg Kiarong.
The feast of sacrifice prayer was also attended by His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince, HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, HRH Prince Abdul Azim, HRH Prince Abdul Malik and HRH Prince Abdul Mateen.
His Majesty and other members of the royal family were greeted by Pehin Dato Dr. Ustaz Hj Awg Mohd Zain, Minister of Religious Affairs as the chairman of the executive committee of major Islamic calendar events for 1426.
The prayer was led by Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Hj Awg Yahya, while the sermon was delivered by Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin.
A 'Sunat' or recommended sacrificial ceremony for His Majesty and his family members in conjunction with the feast of sacrifice was held at the mosque shortly after the Aidil Adha prayer.
It began with the reading of Surah al-Fatihah led by the State Mufti. The ceremony included a 'Tausyeh' presentation by students from the Sultan Hj Hassanal Bolkiah Quran Tahfiz Institute.
Fourteen sheep and 34 cows were sacrificed at the ceremony, out of which seven sheep were sacrificed in the presence of His Majesty and his family members. The rest were conducted at the Mulaut Abattoir slaughterhouse.
The meat was distributed to 4,351 poor and needy people including 2,672 from Brunei/Muara District, 594 from Tutong, 831 from Belait and 254 from Temburong.
During the sacrificial ceremony at the mosque, His Majesty distributed meat to 20 recipients selected from the Brunei/Muara District while the rest were distributed in separate ceremonies at the four districts.
In the Brunei/Muara District, the ceremony was held at the Dewan Muhibbah while in Belait it was held at the Dewan Raya of the Belait District Office and at community halls both in Tutong and Temburong.
- Borneo Bulletin
(12th Jan 2006)
