BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

NATIONAL Family Day is a time to focus on tackling social issues and find ways to improve the life quality of families in Brunei, the Minister of Home Affairs said.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman said National Family Day event does not only revolve around religious and recreational activities.

It serves as an awareness to tackle and solve family and societal issues. These issues include troubled families due to divorces and poverty.

“These issues should be focused every time we celebrate Family Day, perhaps by organising forums, seminars and workshops,” he said.

YB Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Baduruddin said events which are organised for National Family Day can be further improved so that it would leave an impact on the participants and society.

The minister was delivering a dawn lecture to mark National Family Day at Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Malik Mosque in Kg Tungku.

He further said parents hold the utmost responsibility in the family institution to guide their children to the right path and help develop strong-willed individuals who would contribute to the country’s growth.

It is important to seek Allah SWT’s blessings to achieve a family institution that is peaceful, loving and united, said YB Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Badaruddin.

He said when a man and woman are married, it is more than just a marriage but to achieve spiritual peace, conceive children and ensure a lifestyle based on the religion.

Marriage is also considered sunnatullah, and one of Allah SWT’s blessings to human being, the minister said.

YB Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Badaruddin said parents must cultivate their children’s faith and ensure their aqidah (faith) as required by religion, while trying their best to bring together their family members to heaven.

More than 100 congregants attended the mass Subuh prayers and dawn lecture.

Organised for the third time, National Family Day is aimed to strengthen the family institution in the sultanate and as one way to foster strong family values among Bruneians.

After the prayers and lecture, the minister proceeded to the Agro-Technology Park in Kg Tungku to join in the National Family Day celebrations and carnival. He also joined the participants for an aerobic session and a morning walk touring the park.

National Family Day is observed on the first Sunday of May.

The Brunei Times