By Azaraimy HH
The country will be commemorating the 40th Anniversary of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's accession to the throne on October 5, 2007.
It was on this day forty years ago in 1967 that His Majesty was proclaimed the 29th Sultan of Brunei Darussalam following the abdication of the monarch's late father, 'The Architect of Modern Brunei', Al-Marhum Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien.
To commemorate this occasion, a national committee has been set up and jointly chaired by Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Awang Md Zain bin Hj Serudin, Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Awang Adanan, Minister of Home Affairs and Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Abdul Rahman bin Hj Ibrahim, Minister of Finance II.
Three religious events have been lined up to commemorate this memorable event as a sign of gratitude and appreciation by the people and citizens of the country for the four decades of leadership by His Majesty.
On Thursday, October 4, a mass Isyak prayer and the nightly terawikh will be held.
This will include the reading of the special thanksgiving prayers in conjunction with the 40th anniversary commemoration of His Majesty's ascension to the throne.
The prayers will be proceeded with the reading of the Surah Yassin held at all mosques, suraus and religious halls across the nation with the focal point at the Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Mosque in the capital.
Meanwhile on Friday, October 5, the noon Jumaat prayer will start off at 11.30am with the reading of the Surah al-Kahfi, followed by the sunat hajat prayers before the reading of the special "doa selamat and kesyukuran".
The event will be held at all mosques, suraus and prayer halls in the country. The main congregation will be at the Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah in Kiarong.
Members of the public are welcome to both these events.
Another event to commemorate the anniversary will be held on the same day at the Istana Nurul Iman. This event that will start at 9pm will be the Khatam al-Quran for a group of 40 selected readers who have completed the reading of the entire al-Quran verses.
The tedarus or the reading of the al-Quran began on Tuesday night and will continue until Friday, October 5.
Putting more significance to these events is that these are being held during the holy month of Ramadhan when religious activities are widely held nationwide.
- Borneo Bulletin
(27th September 2007)
