By Za'im Zaini
HisBrunei celebrated Hari Raya Aidiladha yesterday with the sunat Aidiladha prayers, held at mosques, suraus and worshipping halls in the four districts.
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, joined the faithful in performing the sunat Aidiladha prayer at the Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah in Bandar Seri Begawan.
His Majesty was greeted upon arrival by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Dato Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Mohamad Zain, who is also the chairman of the executive committee of important events in Islamic Calendar and other committee members.
Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malik.
In a sermon delivered by Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awg Othman, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, he mentioned that the lives of the people of Brunei are based on Islam.
Islam has given Brunei its identity and strength as a nation, while the strength of Islam has been safeguarded from generation to generation. Islam is in its rightful place as an official religion of the country, the guarantee of the nation's constitution to the non-Muslims to practise their religion in peace. That guarantee is in line with the teachings of Islam and non-Muslims can practise their beliefs.
He added, "Muslims and the government of this nation follow the teachings of Islam in its approach to the affairs of other religions.
"Non-Muslims should understand this matter. It is obvious that it will bring benefit to all the citizens and its residents will respect each other to live in peace and harmony under the leadership of a fair monarch".
On the purpose of an Islamic "Syari'at " or Islamic law to guard the five factors, which are: religion, life, reason, heritage and wealth; are important for all in a country and it helps in the purpose of governance.
The agenda to protect the religion, life, reason, heritage and wealth becomes a crucial agenda in our governance for the progress of our nation in all aspects of social, economic and political through a pious, knowledgeable citizen, physically and mentally fit, appreciating their life and others, living in balance with their families in happiness and owning and guarding wealth.
The Deputy Minister noted, "This is reaffirmed through His Majesty the Sultan and Yang DiPertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam's titah in conjunction of the launching of the Brunei Islamic Trust Fund or TAIB on the 29th September 1991 when His Majesty said, "We are serious in practising Islam as our way of life. We improve our ritual and at the same time we are progressing and will continue to develop based on the teachings of Islam".
Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Awang Haji Yahya bin Haji Ibrahim led the congregation in performing the prayer.
The sunat or highly commendable Aidiladha prayers were held at mosques, suraus and prayer halls throughout the country.
The feast of sacrifice commenced shortly after the Aidiladha Sunat prayers.
His Majesty the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah the Sultan of Brunei and the royal entourage conducted the sacrificial rites at the compound of the Jame Asr' Hassanil Bolkiah. His Majesty was greeted upon arrival at the Mosque's compound by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Dato Ustaz Haji Mohammad Zain.
Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malik.
The ceremony began with the recitation of the Surah Al-Fatihah led by the State Mufti, Pehin Dato Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned.
The Monarch and members of the royal family then proceeded to the slaughter area to witness the rites. There, His Majesty gave the consent for the ceremony to proceed. A total of seven goats were slaughtered in today's ceremony while the rest of the animals were slaughtered at the Mulaut Abattoir Sendirian Berhad Slaughtering Centre.
The function was highlighted with a presentation of Tausyeh performed by students of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Tahfiz, Ministry of Religious Affairs.
His Majesty then distributed the meat of the slaughtered animals to 20 selected residents from the four districts.
The rest of the meat will also be distributed to a total of 3,860 people comprising of the poor and needy with a right to receive it from all the four districts, in Brunei Muara District a total of 2225 people, Tutong District 562, Belait District 833 and Temburong 240
(1st January 2007)
