His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to attend the Korban, or 'Feast of Sacrifice' ceremony, and carried out the sacrificial rites on a goat during the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration at Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah in Kampong Kiarong yesterday.

His Majesty was accompanied by HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, HRH Prince Sufri Bolkiah, HRH Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah, HRH Prince Haji 'Abdul 'Azim, HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik and HRH Prince 'Abdul Wakeel.

Greeting His Majesty upon arrival was Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman, the Minister of Religious Affairs in his capacity as the Chairman of the Executive Committee for Important Days in Islam 1433 Hijrah.

His Majesty had personally contributed 14 goats and 50 cows to be sacrificed around the country, of which seven goats were sacrificed at the vicinity of Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah yesterday, while the sacrificial rites for the remainder of the animals were conducted at Mulaut Abattoir Sdn Bhd's slaughterhouse.

The ceremony began with a recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

Also performing the sacrificial rites were HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah and HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik.

The sacrificial meat was swiftly prepared and portioned evenly for His Majesty to personally hand them over to 20 selected members of the less fortunate community from Brunei-Muara District, while the rest of the meat was distributed at similar ceremonies across the country.

This year, 2,675 members of the less fortunate community nationwide will be receiving the korban meat, of which 1,757 reside in Brunei-Muara, 403 in Tutong, 371 in Belait and 144 in Temburong.

To bless the ceremony, a doa selamat was read by the State Mufti.

Earlier in the morning, His Majesty consented to join thousands of his subjects to perform the mass Sunnat Aidiladha prayer at Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, which was led by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Salim bin Hj Besar.

The Sunnat Aidiladha prayer was performed simultaneously in all mosques and prayer halls across the country.

The Aidiladha sermon at the Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah was delivered by the State Mufti.

Also present at the event yesterday were state dignitaries, Cabinet Ministers and other special guests, as well as mosque congregants. - Borneo Bulletin (27 October 2012)