By Azlan Othman
While the nation celebrates the 60th birthday of the benevolent ruler in the coming weeks, the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs reminded the Muslim Ummah not to neglect their obligations towards the religion, oneself, family and the general public.
In a Friday sermon delivered yesterday at the mosque in the capital, a day before the birthday of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin called on the people to celebrate the occasion with joy and thanks in an appropriate manner.
"We should not be ignorant of the religious obligations, duties and service to the public, and the interest of the public.
"We should uphold peace and tranquility, security towards oneself, the family and property, responsibility towards children's education, preserve the values and norms of oneself, the beauty of the society and the nation in order to receive blessings from Allah, especially for the caring ruler, people and the nation."
Imams also called on the Ummah to follow in the footsteps of the monarch who set an example of how to appreciate one's health by carrying out healthy activities and set an example of living in a healthy manner. The pious monarch encourages good deeds and piety.
Brunei is in a festive mood and to kick-start the celebrations, the Maghrib prayers, Tahlil recitation and thanksgiving prayers were performed last night to seek blessings from Allah for His Majesty and the people.
- Borneo Bulletin
(15th July 2006)
