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.”