HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam last evening joined hundreds of congregants in thanksgiving prayers, as well as Maghrib and Isyak prayers to mark the Sultanate’s 30th 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, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen and His Royal Highness 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 Haji Hazair bin Haji Abdullah; the Acting Minister of Religious Affairs, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar and executive committee members of 30th National Day Celebrations Committee .

The public also took the opportunity to greet and shake hands with the monarch and members of the royal family upon their arrival.

The call for Maghrib prayers was made by Mudim Awang Haji Metassim bin Haji Metussin, a Mosque Officer from the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque.

The event began with the mass Maghrib prayer led by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar. This was followed by the mass Sunat Hajat prayer, also led by Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Salim, 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 Ustaz Haji Awang Suhaili bin Haji 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 call for Isyak prayers was later made by Mudim Awang Haji Amran bin Haji Md Salleh, Mosque Affairs Officer of the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque.

The congregation then performed the Isyak prayer, led by YB Pehin Datu Imam Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Hamid bin Bakal. The National Day thanksgiving prayers were also performed simultaneously across the country. - Borneo Bulletin (23 February 2014)