By Amie PDH Ishak
HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah the Crown Prince and Deputy Sultan, yesterday officiated the opening of an exhibition in honour of the Golden Jubilee of the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque at the Brunei Museum in Kota Batu.
The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque commemorated its 50-year anniversary on September 26, 2008.
During yesterday's event His Royal Highness also officially launched a book on the 50 years of history of the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, which consists of chapters of the history of Islam and mosques, the splendour during the reign of Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, the history of mosques in Brunei, the construction and architecture of the Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque as well as important events that had transpired at the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque.
After the launch, His Royal Highness toured the exhibition, which comprised artefacts, and pictures of mosques since 1958, pictures of religious activities as well as pictures of Royal Solemnisation ceremonies, information of the construction of the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque as well as its development over the years.
The exhibition also showcases the first sermon delivered by His Majesty the Sultan in 1992, various religious activities held at the mosque, visits from foreign dignitaries, the advancements of mosques throughout the country, news clippings of the Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque as well as a short video presentation of the mosque.
Among the aims of the exhibition is to teach the history of the mosque to people especially to the younger generation as well as to commemorate the legacy that was left behind by the late Sultan Hj Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien III who was also known as the Architect of Modern Brunei.
Also present at the ceremony yesterday were Ministers and Deputy Ministers of various government departments as well as several foreign ambassadors to Brunei. The Golden Jubilee exhibition is open to the public for two months until December 31st at the Brunei Museum in Kota Batu.
- Borneo Bulletin
(26th Oct 2008)