TUTONG

TWO personnel from the 154th intake of male recruits at the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) yesterday fulfilled their lifelong wishes of embracing Islam.

The conversion ceremony was held at the Penanjong Garrison prayer hall, which was witnessed by RBAF Commander Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Paduka Seri Mohd Tawih Abdullah alongside more than 100 military personnel comprising officers and recruits.

A recruit from Kg Bebuloh, who was formerly known as Azhari Raya, chose Muhd Habib Azhari Raya as his new name in front of Islamic Da’wah Centre officials.

The 21-year-old said that the religious activities held during the past few months during recruit training opened up his heart to finally become a Muslim. “I’ve been interested in converting to Islam since I was a kid, but I had to follow my parents’ wishes. I did attend religious school up until Year Three and learnt a few things about Islam as well as ‘practiced’ several Ibadah (acts of worship).

“As a grown man, I still hold the intention to embrace Islam. Many of my Muslim friends often gave me indirect encouragement by bringing me to religious events and so on, but it was the numerous religious activities during recruit training that strengthened my desire to convert.”

Sharing a similar sentiment, is a 19-year-old from Kg Penanjong, who expressed his gratitude to the RBAF for facilitating the conversion ceremony yesterday.

“It was a good feeling after I took the opportunity to embrace Islam. I wanted to convert when I was younger, but I had to follow my parents’ religion,” said Muhd Rizqullah Firdaus Jublin, previously called Juhheree Jublin.

He said their exposure to Islamic religious studies in public and religious schools enabled them to gain a deeper understanding of the religion.

“What we learned at school attracted us to be part of the Muslim community. When we were students, Islamic religious studies played a role in developing our interest in the religion,” said Muhd Rizqullah Firdaus.

Both recruits officially become Muslim converts after reciting the Syahadah (testimony of faith).

The ceremony continued with the presentation of gifts by the RBAF Commander to the two.

Muhd Habib Azhari and Muhd Rizqullah Firdaus were the sixth and seventh RBAF personnel respectively to embrace Islam this year.

The Ministry of Defence said the latest conversion ceremony reflected the spread of Islam among members of the RBAF.

The Brunei Times