Sultan attends 1429 Hijrah celebration
By Amin Hosni and Azrol Azmi

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to attend the Islamic New Year 1429 Hijrah national celebration held at the Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah in Kampong Kiarong last night.

The arrival of His Majesty at the ceremony was welcomed by Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Mohd Zain bin Haji Serudin, Minister of Religious Affairs, who is chairman of the celebration.

Accompanying His Majesty to last night's event were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince, and His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik as well as other members of the Royal family.

The 1429 Hijrah New Year national celebration began with the end of year 'doa' for 1428 Hijrah led by Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs.

This was followed by a mass Maghrib prayer led by Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Yahya bin Haji Ibrahim and the New Year's 'doa', which asked Allah for blessings in life and the afterlife.

The event proceeded with a mass Hajat prayer, which asked for the prevention of catastrophes as well as for peace and prosperity from Allah.

The Hajat prayer was led by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Awang Haji Salim bin Haji Besar.

Meanwhile, the presentation of the Anugerah Tokoh Ugama/Jawasan Ugama and Anugerah Bakti Hijrah for 1429 Hijrah at last night's celebration began with the recital of Al-Quran versus by Awangku Khairul Ikhwan bin Pengiran Alit, 3rd place-winner in the 15th International Competition Kerajaan Hasyimiah, Memorisation, Reading and Interpretation in Amman, Jordan in 2007, and the meaning was read by Pengiran Haji Amiruddin bin Pengiran Haji Damit, Education Officer at the Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

The celebration continued with a speech by Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Mohd Zain bin Haji Serudin, who said that the 1429 New Year's theme is "Tunas Bangsa Beraklak Al-Quran".

The theme is aimed at ensuring that the nation's youths are responsible for the country's future under the guidance of Islamic teachings, uphold the exemplary characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and use the Al-Quran and 'Hadiths' to guide them to lead a complete and perfect lifestyle.

The highlight of the event was the announcement of the Anugerah Tokoh Ugama/Jawasan Ugama by Awang Haji Talip bin Haji Apong, Director of Syariah Affairs, and the announcement of the Anugerah Bakti Hijrah by Awang Haji Ahmad bin Haji Mohin, Acting Assistant Director of Mosque Affairs.

The recipients of the Anugerah Bakti Hijrah were Haji Metussin bin Haji Timbang and Haji Zainal @ Abu Bakar bin Idris. Both of the recipients received $10,000, a certificate of acknowledgement, a souvenir and free medical care in a first class ward in any government hospital.

Meanwhile, Pehin Datu Imam Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Abdul Hamid bin Bakal received $20,000, a certificate of acknowledgement, souvenir and free medical care in a first class ward in any government hospital for the Anugerah Tokoh Ugama/Jawasan Ugama. - Borneo Bulletin (10th Jan 2008)


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