BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

AL-QURAN is life guideline for parents in shaping a sakinah family. A sakinah family refers to a family that is happy and always at peace, based on two main aspects- iman (faith) and taqwa (obedience to Islamic laws and submission to Allah SWT), said the Minister of Religious Affairs yesterday.

Yang Berhormat Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad Pg Hj Abdul Rahman said this at the opening ceremony of the “Syariah Fiqh Al-Usrah regional seminar” at Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College (KUPU SB) yesterday.

The seminar was themed “Reinforcing Muslim Family Institutions according to Al-Quran and Al-Sunnah in overcoming current problems”.

He said, Islam teaches us that responsibilities go both ways - for the parents and children.

“Religious teachings teach the children so that they possess syaksiah (noble character/personality) and admirable behaviour, especially when dealing with their parents. Parents are not the only ones with responsibilities for their children, the children also have responsibilities to their parents especially when they are older and in need of help,” he said.

“Neglecting senior citizens and our own family members is not our culture and certainly not acceptable in Islam,” he said.

The minister cited an example of a neglected senior citizen published in the local newspapers earlier this month. The news report said an elderly woman was found in state of neglect in Belait on March 3 and had since received treatment at the Suri Seri Begawan Hospital.

“Let us look at how some children abandon their parents and those who send their parents to old folks homes without visiting them regularly. Is this the teaching of Islam?” he said.

He called for studies to be conducted, to find solutions so that children who neglect their parents will take the responsibilities, all in an effort to build a sakinah family.

Organised by Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College (KUPU SB) and Universiti Islam Negeri Alauddin, Makassar in Indonesia, the two day seminar provides a platform for discussion on Muslim family issues.

It is aimed at forming an understanding between Islamic educational institutions in Southeast Asia; to bring forth current issues affecting Muslim families as well as to discuss steps to strengthen family institutions against negative elements.

Eleven working papers and four keynote addresses from Brunei, Malaysia and Makassar will be presented.

The seminar ends today.

The Brunei Times