His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and members of the royal family yesterday performed Maghrib and Isya' prayers in conjunction with the 28th National Day at the Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Mosque 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, HRH Prince Haji 'Abdul 'Azim, HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik and HRH Prince 'Abdul Wakeel.

His Majesty was greeted on arrival at the mosque by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Hazair bin Hj Abdullah and the Minister of Religious Affairs, Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad bin Pg Hj Abdul Rahman.

The public also took the opportunity to greet and shake hands with the benevolent monarch upon his arrival and inside the mosque.

The event began with the mass Maghrib prayer, led by Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Yahya bin Hj Ibrahim. This was followed by the mass Sunat Hajat prayer, led by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Awg Hj Salim bin Hj Besar, to seek blessings from Allah the Almighty for the country and the people of Brunei Darussalam.

Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Setia Raja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Suhaili bin Hj Mohiddin led the recitation of surah yaasiin, while the thanksgiving prayer was read by the State Mufti, Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Awg Abdul Aziz bin Juned.

The congregation then performed the Isya' prayer, led by Pehin Dato Imam Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Abdul Hamid Bakal. The national day prayers were performed simultaneously across the country. - Borneo Bulletin (23rd February 2012)