BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

ABOUT 300 people attended mass prayers across the nation to mark the 21st Civil Service Day.

Mass thanksgiving prayers and _Yaasin _recitals took place in all four districts with the main ceremony held at Masjid Ash-Shaliheen in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Complex.

Also present were Energy Minister at PMO Pehin Datu Singamenteri Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Md Yasmin Hj Umar and Deputy Minister Dato Paduka Hj Abd Wahab Juned.

Leading the mass _Yaasin _and thanksgiving prayers was the Mosque Affairs Officer Hj Mahruf Hj Chuchu.

During the ceremony, mass _Maghrib _and _Isya _prayers were also performed. The congregants also held a sembahyang hajat to ask for protection and safety of all residents.

Similar ceremonies were held in Tutong, Temburong and Belait, with Permanent Secretary of Religious Affairs Hj Md ‘Abdoh Dato Seri Setia Hj Abd Salam attending the prayers at Belait.

Permanent Secretary (Law and Welfare) at PMO Dato Paduka Hj Md Juanda Hj Abd Rashid attended the Tutong ceremony, while Permanent Secretary of Home Affairs Dato Paduka Dr Hj Affendy Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Hj Abidin performed the prayers at Temburong.

Earlier, the Public Service Department also held a tahlil for the late parents of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Of Brunei Darussalam, Sultan Hj Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien and Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit, at the Royal Mausoleum.

The energy minister and the deputy minister at PMO also attended the ceremony along with more than 100 permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries, head of departments and officers from all ministries.

Side events and activities such as an inter-ministerial sports competition will be held in to mark Civil Service Day in November. September 29 was designated as Civil Service Day in Brunei.

The Brunei Times