Archive for July, 2009

Thank you for sending your emails to [vancetan@vancetan.com]. Today’s email is send in by Ady Ello, a bunch of thanks from VanceTan.com.

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) bersabda: ‘Bila seseorang lelaki itu mati dan saudaranya sibuk dengan pengebumiannya, berdiri lelaki yang betul-betul kacak di bahagian kepalanya. Bila mayatnya dikapan, lelaki itu berada di antara kain kapan dan si mati.’

Selepas pengebumian, semua orang pulang ke rumah, dua malaikat, Mungkar dan Nakir, datang dalam kubur dan cuba memisahkan lelaki kacak ini supaya mereka boleh menyoal lelaki yang telah meninggal itu seorang diri mengenai ketaatannya kepada Allah. Tapi lelaki kacak itu berkata, “Dia adalah temanku, dia adalah kawanku. Aku takkan meninggalkannya seorang diri walau apa pun. Jika kamu ditetapkan untuk menyoal, lakukanlah tugasmu. Aku tidak boleh meninggalkannya sehingga aku dapati dia dimasukkan ke dalam Syurga.”

Selepas itu dia berpaling pada temannya yang meninggal dan berkata,”Aku adalah Al-Quran, yang mana kamu membacanya, kadang-kadang dengan suara yang nyaring dan kadang-kadang dengan suara yang perlahan. Jangan bimbang. Selepas soal siasat dari Mungkar dan Nakir, kamu tidak akan bersedih.”

Selepas soal siasat selesai, lelaki kacak mengatur untuknya daripada Al-Mala’ul A’laa (malaikat dalam Syurga) tempat tidur dari sutera yang dipenuhi bauan kesturi.

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) bersabda :’Di hari pengadilan, di hadapan Allah, tiada syafaat yang lebih baik darjatnya daripada Quran, mahupun dari nabi atau malaikat.’

Image Source: Garsoor

August is just coming your way soon! Download your very own WWF August wallpaper today by clicking here to proceed.

When I first saw this picture, I had to guess hard, straining my brains. But, when I asked the owner, it surprised me: it was a headphone. Seriously, camera photos have made a picture look wonderful, provided the person is smart in taking the photo. Great job to the owner, and congrats for finally having a DSLR.

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan And Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam joined fellow Muslims yesterday evening as they congregated at the Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah to perform special mass prayers in commemorating Isra’ Mikraj.

The monarch was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, His Royal Highness Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.

They were greeted upon arrival by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Md Zain Hj Serudin, who is also the chairman of this year’s Hijrah celebrations along with other members of the organising committee.

The ceremony began with mass Maghrib prayers led by Syariah Supreme Court judge, Pehin Orang Kap Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Salim Hj Besar, who also proceeded to lead the mass Sunat Hajat prayers for peace and prosperity as well as to seek protection from any disasters, particularly from the ongoing influenza A (H1N1) pandemic.

It was then followed by the recital of Zikir Tolak Bala led by the Deputy Mufti, Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Setia Raja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Suhaili Hj Mohiddin.

The Isra’ Mikraj celebrations were then initiated with the recital of Ayat-Ayat Suci Al-Quran (verses from the Quran) by the winner of this year’s Religious School Students’ Al-Quran Reading Competition, Ahmad Taufiq Mudim Hj Metassim.

Pg Md Aminudin Pg Hj Hussin, education officer from the Islamic Studies Department under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. gave a conclusion of what the recital meant.

The ceremony also saw Sent-bah Alu-Aluan or an opening speech by the Religious Affairs Minister who said that part of the Isra’ Mikraj celebrations included the presentation of the Anugerah Sekolah Ugama Tauladan or the Religious School Awards, now in its 10th year.

Organised by the Islamic Studies Department, he said that the main aim of the programme was to encourage the schools to continuously increase their quality and standard in all aspects. “Such a programme was created in the hopes of making schools to have more initiative and to strengthen the cooperation between teachers and administrators as well as to train and educate students to have commitment and self-discipline with the knowledge they have gained,” he said.

Announcing the winners of the awards was acting director of Islamic Studies, Hj Ismail Hj Abdul Manap, in which three different schools won in three separate categories, namely in administration, academic and activities. There was also a special award for overall best school, however, no school was declared the winner.

His Majesty then consented to present the prizes to the representatives of the winning schools, which consisted of a trophy, $3,000 each and a certificate.

To bless the event, a doa selamat was recited by Pehin Dam Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Abdul Aziz Juned, the State Mufti.

The event concluded with mass Isya’ prayers led by Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Yahya Hj Ibrahim.

Israk Mikraj ceremony at Istana Nurul Iman last year

This years Isra’ Mikraj celebration carries the theme “Kedewasaan Bernegara Dengan Zikir” which is the main theme for all major Islamic celebrations for the year 1430 Hijrah.

[Source: Vance Tan, Brunei Times; Photo by Saifulizam]

Ikan Selongsong, Image: Chitty Chatty

Number of fish farms in Brunei is 67: The Fisheries Department under the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources of Brunei Darussalam has been trying to elevate the aquaculture industry, with numerous challenges to be overcome.

According to Dayang Hajah Hasnah binti Ibrahim, the Director of Fisheries Department, she said “We have 44 licensed operators to fish culture various species of fishes. We have also recently provided licences to another 23 new operators”. Dayang Hajah Hasnah binti Ibrahim was met at an interview during the second meeting of Brunei Darussalam and Republic of Philippines Joint Technical Fisheries Working Group.

She added, “The Fisheries Department is trying (at its best) to improve the operations by supplying them (operators) with quality seeds and introducing efficient aquaculture practices.”

More than half of all the people confirmed with Influenza A (H1N1) have recovered from the virus so far.

Tagged as a “mild” form of influenza, some 159 patients, or about 56.8 per cent of the total H1N1 infections, have recuperated since the outbreak first reached Brunei three weeks ago.

In its daily updates on the development of the pandemic in the country, the Ministry of Health confirmed nine new H1N1 cases as of 4pm yesterday, bringing the national tally to 280.

Meanwhile, 22 patients, who have contracted the virus, have either completed treatment or have been discharged from the hospital. Fifty-six people who have been in close contact with H1N1 patients have also completed quarantine, according to the ministry’s statement.

In its efforts to curb the spread of infection, the ministry continued to remind the public to practice good personal hygiene.

These precautionary measures include frequently washing one’s hands with soap and water and then drying them with disposable napkins or an electric hand-dryer.

[Source: Brunei Times]

First day of school after one week rest: Protected with masks, and some with gloves, students spread out (as much as they could) as a preventive measure against the deadly influenza A H1N1 Virus.

They must not be afraid for dilligent teachers has been working hard, recording student’s temperatures at the beginning of the day at 6.30 am. Not only that, visitors were as well brought to a halt for a brief check for symptoms of the pandemic.

RTB Crew doing the coverage