HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday officiated the Jefri Bolkiah Mosque in Kg Batong, where the monarch consented to perform the first Friday prayers.

Accompanying His Majesty to Jefri Bolkiah Mosque, which is the 116th mosque in the Sultanate, were His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel.

The Jefri Bolkiah Mosque is unique, as the minaret and dome resemble that of a bamboo. The decision to have the mosque’s design based on the bamboo concept was fitting, as the village is named after ‘Batong’, which is a type of bamboo.

His Majesty was greeted upon arrival by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad bin Pg Hj Abdul Rahman and other senior officials at the Ministry.

The monarch then signed a plaque, followed by three chants of ‘Allahu Akbar’ led by the Minister of Religious Affairs.

The Friday sermon was delivered by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Setia Raja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Suhaili bin Hj Mohiddin, who among others touched on the wastage of power supply through continuous usage of air conditioners inside the mosque, improper attire to the mosque especially during the Friday prayer like going for a jog, the benefits of glorifying the last 10 days of Ramadhan to seek for Lailatul Qadar (a night better than 1,000 months) and the ever-popular eight Raka’ats of the highly-recommended nightly Tarawikh prayers rather than the 20 Raka’ats where Muslims who shortened such prayer would only consider to gain ‘Qiyamullail’ or enlivening the night.

The Friday prayer was led by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Salim bin Hj Besar.

The construction of the mosque began on November 5, 2011 and was completed some time this year under the 2007-2012 National Development Plan at the cost of $2.1 million.

Among the facilities include main prayer halls for male and female worshippers, meeting room, Mosque Affairs Officer or Imam/Bilal room, VIP room, library and IT room, lecture room, store, mortuary room, kitchen and separate ablution and toilet.

Last week, His Majesty also officiated another mosque, the Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Mosque in Kg Sungai Akar. - Borneo Bulletin (27 July 2013)