By Za'im Zaini
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday consented to join the rakyat in performing the Sunat Aidiladha prayer at Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah in the capital.
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.
After the prayer, His Majesty and the royal entourage witnessed the sacrificial ceremony, also known as 'Hari Raya Korban' at the compound of Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah.
The ceremony began with the recitation of the Surah Al-Fatihah led by the State Mufti, Pehin Datu Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned.
A total of 14 goats and 38 cattle were slaughtered as a personal 'korban' from His Majesty and the royal family. Seven goats were slaughtered at the Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah compound, while the rest were slaughtered at the Mulaut Abattoir Slaughtering Centre.
His Majesty later distributed the 'korban' meat to twenty selected residents from the four districts.
The rest of the meat will be distributed to a total of 3,860 people comprising the poor and needy from all four districts. In Brunei-Muara, a total of 2,225 people will receive the meat, while 562 people from Tutong and 833 people from Belait will receive the meat. In Temburong 240 people have been selected to receive the meat.
(1st January 2007)
