BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

TARAWIH prayers for Ramadhan in 58 mosques throughout the country this year will be led by 110 imams, following the appointments made by the Mosque Affairs Department with the cooperation of Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (ITQSHHB) yesterday.

Acting Director of Mosque Affairs Hj Amir Hisham Hj Masri, during the appointment ceremony yesterday, lauded the efforts of the department and the institute in coming together once again to nominate the imams as they strive to celebrate and enliven the nights of Ramadhan this year.

The imams nominated this year again comprise mosque officials, ITQSHHB education officers and students.

The appointment ceremony, organised by the institute and the department, was held at Ash-Shaliheen Mosque with the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Dato Seri Setia Hj Abd Aziz Orang Kaya Maharaja Lela Hj Yussof handing out the appointment letters.

“Alhamdulillah in a few days time, Muslims will once again perform one of the pillars of Islam, fasting in Ramadhan – a month abundant with blessings and benefits,” he said.

He added; “In light of Ramadhan being a month where we as Muslims are encouraged to double our prayers and seize the opportunity to reap in the rewards, therefore I urge the appointed imams to fulfil their duties efficiently and with full perfection, so the prayers performed by us all will be of the highest quality hence, gaining the blessings of Allah SWT.” Speaking to The Brunei Times, ITQSHHB student Ak Abd Razzaq Pg Kamarulzaman said he was grateful for being one of the students handed the responsibility to lead the prayers.

“Alhamdulillah I believe this is one of the beauties of Islam, because imams can be chosen as long as he has the knowledge of the Al-Quran and good character, not chosen by age,” he said. Prior to the ceremony, the imams were also briefed on the rules and guidelines on how to lead the Tarawih prayers which was by Mosque Affairs Department officer Hj Sahri Hj Sulaiman and ITQSHHB education officer Hj Sujairi Hj Dollah.

The Brunei Times