BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

MORE than 14,000 people took part in processions and talks held concurrently in three districts yesterday to mark the birthday anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The district-level celebrations mirrored the main event in the capital, and comprised walks for the male participants and religious talks for the female participants.

In Temburong, the Maulidur Rasul procession for 800 male participants from 27 contingents began at 8.30am. For years, Brunei’s least populated district produced the smallest number of participants for the processions, but this fact did not hamper Temburong residents from participating in this significant celebration.

The weather was also on their side yesterday as it only rained after the participants completed the procession.

The procession was held at the open area in front of the Civic Hall complex in Bangar Town.

Led by Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid Hj Mohd Jaafar, the participants consisted of officers and staff of government departments, village consultative councils, uniformed groups and associations.

Prior to leading the procession, the permanent secretary was introduced to the team leaders and presented them with certificates of appreciation for their participation.

The gathering was further highlighted with the recital of Dikir Marhaban.

Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid led the procession in the three-kilometre walk, taking them across the 200-metre bridge over the Temburong River to the heart of Bangar Town, before returning to the community hall.

At the Civic Hall, some 400 female participants comprising government officers and staff, women associations, religious teachers and students attended a Maulidur Rasul gathering.

The spouse of the permanent secretary, Datin Hjh Hamidah Adinin attended the women’s gathering, which featured a talk by Ustazah Dk Hjh Norhayati Pg Hj Kasharan from the Islamic Da’wah Centre.

Meanwhile, Tutong District saw 51 contingents taking part in the Maulidur Rasul procession, made up of 5,918 male participants.

Led by Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Development Dato Paduka Hj Suhaimi Hj Ghafar, the participants walked three kilometres across Tutong Town, before returning to the Muda Hashim Primary School field under drizzling rain.

Religious school teachers from the district led the recital of the Dikir Marhaban throughout the procession.

Afterwards, Dato Paduka Hj Suhaimi presented a donation of $1,596.10 to Tutong District Officer Wardi Hj Mohd Ali in a ceremony at the primary school’s hall. Half of the donation was for the Tutong District Orphan’s Fund, while the remainder was for the Maulidur Rasul celebration.

At the nearby community hall, a gathering also took place for 800 female participants from various government agencies and associations in the district.

The all-female celebration included a religious talk delivered by Ustazah Hjh Rogayah BPKDP Hj Abd Wahid from the Islamic Da’wah Centre. Present as the guest of honour was Dato Paduka Hj Suhaimi’s spouse, Datin Hjh Juraidah Pg Hj Hidup.

In the Belait District, 5,747 participants comprising 55 contingents participated in the Maulidur Rasul procession, which started at the Padang Bandaran along Jalan Sultan.

The event started with the reading of verses from the Quran by Amerul Shah Hj Besar, senior Al-Quran teacher of the Belait Islamic Studies Office. It was followed by the recital of Dikir Marhaban by officers and staff of government departments in the district.

Present as guest of honour was Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Majid Mangarshah, permanent secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs.

Meanwhile, a lecture was also delivered by Dr Ustaz Hj Ismuhadi Hj Abdullah from the Islamic Da’wah Centre.

In a separate section, about 600 women participated in the Women Assembly’s event at the Kuala Belait Conference Hall.

The event included talks and religious performances, which were attended by Datin Hjh Nor’aini Hj Hanafi, the spouse of Dato Paduka Hj Abd Majid.

The Brunei Times