Brunei: No Covid-19 cases for 86 straight days as country celebrates Raya Haji

Members of the Brunei-Muara District Mosque Youth Groups and Youth Al-Quran Reading Scheme event in Bandar Seri Begawan which was part of the country's Hari Raya Haji celebrations. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug. 1 (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): Brunei reported no new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday with the national tally of cases standing at 141.

It marked the 86th consecutive day without new cases.

According to Brunei's Ministry of Health, no active cases are being treated at the National Isolation Center.

Currently 497 individuals are undergoing mandatory isolation at the monitoring centre provided by the government, as they arrived in the country after traveling abroad.

There have been three deaths resulting from Covid-19 in Brunei and a total of 138 patients have recovered.

In another development, the Takbir Hari Raya Aidiladha echoed throughout mosques, suraus and religious halls nationwide last night, with the focal point at Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque in the capital, heralding the start of Hari Raya Aidiladha.

Muslims throughout the country welcomed the festive day with special prayers last night beginning after Isyak prayer at 8.45pm on Friday (July 31).

Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman was the guest of honour.

Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar and senior officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs were also present.

The Takbir was performed by representatives from the Brunei-Muara District Mosque Youth Groups, Youth Al-Quran Reading Scheme (STAR) and the surrounding community.

The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by the guest of honour, followed by a Tazkirah presented by Special Duties Officer Level II at the MoRA Muhd Yussof bin Haji Abdul Majid.

The call of Takbir was broadcast live through Radio Television Brunei.

MoRA recently announced that Sunnat Hari Raya Aidiladha prayers will be conducted today at mosques, suraus and religious halls nationwide. Congregants are advised to practise health control guidelines set by authorities.

Hari Raya Aidiladha is one of the most celebrated festivals in the Muslim calendar. The Takbir will resound until the 13th of Zulhijjah or the third day of Tasyrik.

- Borneo Bulletin/Asian News Network