His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to attend the Islamic Religious Council Meeting yesterday at the Legislative Council building in Jalan Kebangsaan.

The Islamic Religious Council is the country's main policy maker that defines the direction of the administration of the Islamic religion for the nation, while the Majlis is also the main authority and body responsible in advising His Majesty on matters pertaining and relating to Islam.

His Majesty also heads the council. Upon arrival, His Majesty was greeted by Pehin Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Md Zain, President of the Islamic Religious Council.

Before the closed-door meeting, a group photo was taken. After the session, His Majesty was led into the meeting room, where the monarch presided over the meeting and delivered a titah.

The meeting yesterday was attended by members of Islamic Religious Council, including Pg Laila Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pg Anak Hj Abd Aziz Pg Jaya Negara Pg Hj Abu Bakar, Chairman of the Adat Istiadat, Pehin Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Md Zain, Minister of Religious Affairs and President of the Islamic Religious Council, and Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Badaruddin, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs and Vice President of the Islamic Religious Council.

Also in attendance were Pehin Dato Seri Setia Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong, the Minister of Development, Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Abd Aziz Juned, State Mufti, Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Abd Hamid Bakal, Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Salim Hj Besar, Dato Seri Setia Hj Metussin Hj Baki, Dato Seri Paduka Hj Kifrawi Dato Paduka Hj Kifli, Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Yahya Hj Ibrahim, Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Suhaili Hj Mohiddin and Pehin Dato Seri Paduka Hj Mohd Ali Mohd Daud.

Before leaving the Legislative Council building, His Majesty consented for a santap (lunch). - Borneo Bulletin (14th Jan 2009)