BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to lead the grand procession around the capital in conjunction with the national celebration of Maulidur Rasul for 1447 Hijrah on Saturday (Sept 6).
Accompanying the Ruler were Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; Prince ‘Abdul Malik; Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; Prince Sufri Bolkiah and Prince Jefri Bolkiah.
Upon arrival at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien, the Sultan was greeted by Chief of Adat Istiadat Negara Pengiran Anak Idris Pengiran Maharaja Lela Pengiran Muda Abdul Kahar in his capacity as Co-Advisor of the National Executive Committee for Major Islamic Celebrations and the National Al-Quran Recital Competition for Adults for 1447 Hijrah.
Also greeting the royal arrival were Minister of Religious Affairs Datuk Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Awang Badaruddin Awang Othman as Chairman of the National Executive Committee; Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Major General (Rtd) Datuk Paduka Seri Awang Halbi Mohd Yussof as Co-Advisor; Minister of Health Datuk Seri Setia Dr Mohd Isham Jaafar; Minister of Home Affairs Datuk Seri Setia Awang Ahmaddin Abdul Rahman; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Seri Setia Awang Nazmi Awang Mohamad, as well as deputy ministers from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and Ministry of Finance and Economy.
Awang Badaruddin in his welcoming remark said this year’s procession for the national celebration of Maulidur Rasul ceremony for 1447 Hijrah involved 95 contingents comprising 5,557 participants from government ministries, higher learning institutions, secondary schools, village consultative councils, mosque committees, associations, and the private sector.
The celebration commenced with the mass recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat led by State Mufti Datuk Seri Maharaja Datuk Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz Juned.
The programme also featured Dikir Marhaban and the recitation of Sayyidul Istighfar by officials and staff of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, and Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam where at the recitation of “Ya Habibi”, a 21-gun salute was fired.
Before the procession began, Chief Syar’ie Judge Paduka Seri Utama Datuk Paduka Seri Setia Awang Salim Besar led the selawat, marking the start of the march.
This year’s procession consisted of five categories namely non-numbered contingents; ministries; higher learning institutions, colleges, Arabic schools, secondary schools (including private); villages and mosques and associations; and the private sector. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
