BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Ministry of Development held its annual Doa Selamat ceremony yesterday for its 19 employees and staffs who will be performing Haj this year.

Present as the guest of honour at the Betabur Hall of the Ministry of Development was its minister, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman.

A lecture on prioritising the Haj worship as well as the importance of praying was also delivered by a speaker from the Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali, Hj Khairul Nazif Hj Damit.

In his lecture, Hj Khairul Nazif encouraged the intending Haj pilgrims to take this opportunity to spend more time on ibadah (act of worship).

“If someone is mentally, physically and economically capable of performing haj, don’t take it for granted. Take this time to ask for forgiveness and constantly pray as haji mabrur (haj accepted by Allah SWT) could be achieved through our sincerity during praying,” said the speaker.

He also said that haji mabrur could be attained before the intending pilgrims come to Mecca.

“Without the right intention, the Haj would be worthless. The intending Haj pilgrims need to set their goal before they set their foot to the holy city of Mecca,” he said.

“Never complain or sigh on the obstacles and difficulties that you might encounter in Mecca, instead see it as a blessing and test from Allah SWT,” he continued.

The event continued with the handing over of souvenirs by the minister to the intending Haj pilgrims who will depart for Saudi Arabia on August 30 and 31.

Meanwhile, a similar event was organised by the Ministry of Communications where four of its officers and staff will be perfoming Haj this year.

The event started with the recital of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Muhd Syafie @ Firdaus Tasad from Sultan Hj Hassanal Bolkiah Al-Quran Tahfiz Institute (ITQSHHB), followed by the recital of Surah Yassin, Tahlil and Doa Selamat.

Present as the guest of honour was the Minister of Communciations, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdullah Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar, who later handed over donations to the intending Haj pilgrims.

Also present were Hjh Airah Hj Abdullah, acting permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications, division directors, head of departments, officers and other staff of the ministry.

This year, 400 intending Haj pilgrims are listed in the Haj list under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, along with 20 appointed personnel under the Ministry of Health to provide medical services to the intending pilgrims from the sultanate.

The Brunei Times