Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah delivering his decree at the function. - BB
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on Monday (April 22) congratulated youth for active engagement in various initiatives, including lending assistance to the needy not only in the sultanate but also abroad, and collecting and handing the contributions for Palestinians.
The Sultan said this in a decree during a Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration organised by Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.
The monarch was delighted to be in the presence of students from local higher learning institutions, who are regarded as representatives of community work.
He said many higher learning institutions have integrated an insaniah (humanitarian and community programmes) into their students’ co-curricular activities with the aim of fostering spiritual and physical intelligence.
Emphasising on the importance of expanding such initiatives, the Sultan called on the need to promote a compassionate and caring society.
The monarch said insaniah must not be limited to one area such as assisting the needy.
Instead, it should be expanded to religious, entrepreneurial, technological, cultural, sports and environmental endeavours.
“Year after year,” the monarch added, “we see thousands of local graduates being produced, either through local or foreign higher learning institutions. The country is immensely proud of having a generation equipped with knowledge and skills. It is among the aspirations of Brunei Vision 2035, to produce an educated and highly-skilled populace. Realising the goal would lead to a more progressive nation.”
Earlier, the Sultan attributed Brunei's Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration in peace and prosperity to the blessings of Allah the Almighty.
However, the monarch also reminded the celebrants to not forget the plight of ummah who are besieged by disasters, misery such as those in Palestine.
“As pious Muslims, we shall pay attention to a hadith by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) narrated by al-Bukhari, which said one’s faith will not be perfect, unless he loves his brother like he loves himself.
“We must pray for them to help our Muslim brothers,” he said. – Borneo Bulletin
