BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

MORE events to instil love for Prophet Muhammad (SAW) should be held, said the main organiser of the Cintai Rasul Carnival yesterday.

The three-day carnival may not have achieved its aim “at a 100 per cent”, but it would be possible if more similar events are conducted in future, said Manager of Battle Pro Marketing and Management Services Hj Syed Mohd Yassin Hj Syed Anayatullah Shah.

The event management company were the masterminds behind the carnival, which was launched on January 30 at the Hassanal Bolkiah Indoor Stadium.

While the carnival received favourable response from the public, Hj Syed acknowledges there is still room for improvement.

“This is our first time organising such a carnival, there are areas that we need to improve on – especially in terms of the activities and programme,” he said.

According to him, the company only had a month to prepare for the carnival.

“Alhamdulillah, in such a short time, the efforts of the team including volunteers from the Brunei Youth Council and support from the Youth and Sports Department, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports came together in the end. We worked as a team, and managed to make this event happen,” he said.

He added plans for the next carnival will be under way as soon as the first one concludes.

“This means we will have a year to plan our activities, and make it concise. InsyaAllah, for the Cintai Rasul Carnival 1436 Hijrah [the next carnival], we also plan to invite participants from abroad as well,” he added.

This year’s carnival saw participation from 26 vendors selling various products such as books, Muslimah clothing and health products, as well as 14 vendors selling food and beverages. The vendors ranged from youth entrepreneurs, Small Medium Enterprises to companies from Malaysia and Indonesia.

The carnival also featured various activities such as a religious talk, calligraphy workshop and a forum featuring renowned Malaysian speakers, Dato Ustazah Siti Noor Bahyah Mahamood and husband, Ustaz Wan Akashah Wan Abdul Hamid.

The collaboration between the Youth and Sports Department with the Brunei Youth Council was to increase youth involvement, said Hj Syed.

“During the carnival in the year 1436 Hijrah, InsyaAllah, we will bring in several relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Religious Affairs and State Mufti’s Department (of the Prime Minister’s Office) — hopefully they will support us,” he said.

He added the carnival was organised in line with the country’s desire to support His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s aspiration of seeing the country transform into a Zikir Nation.

The Brunei Times