His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday consented to attend a celebration for Isra' Mi'raj for 1430 Hijrah, joined his subjects in performing mass Maghrib and Hajat prayers and read the Zikir-Zikir Tolak Bala.

His Majesty also presented awards to winners of Exemplary Religious School Awards 1430 Hijrah.

His Majesty and members of the royal family were greeted by Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Md Zain bin Haji Serudin, Minister of Religious Affairs as Chairman of the Executive Committee, as well as members of the Executive Committee of the Celebration of Important Dates on the Islamic Calendar 1430 Hijrah.

Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul 'Azim, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Mateen.

His Majesty and Their Royal Highnesses as well as invited guests performed the mass Maghrib prayer, which was led by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar, who also led the mass Hajat prayer to pray for the prosperity and security of Brunei Darussalam, and for the country's safety, primarily against Influenza A (H1N1).

This was followed by the reading of the Zikir-Zikir Tolak Bala, which was led by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Setia Raja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Suhaili bin Haji Mohiddin.

The National Level Celebration Ceremony for Isra' and Mi'raj 1430 Hijrah began with a recital of verses from the Quran by Awang Ahmad Taufiq bin Mudim Haji Metassim, the champion of the Al-Quran Reading Competition for Religious School Students 1429 Hijrah. The meaning of the verses was presented by Pengiran Md Aminudin bin Pengiran Haji Hussin, Education Officer, Department of Islamic Education at the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The ceremony continued with opening remarks from the Minister of Religious Affairs.

The results of Exemplary Religious School Awards 1430 Hijrah were announced by Awang Haji Ismail bin Haji Abdul Manap, Deputy Director of Islamic Education, Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The winner in the 'Administration' category was Pengiran Anak Puteri Amal Umi-Kalthum Al-Islam Religious School, Mulaut, Brunei III, which received a B$3,000 contribution from Brunei Shell Marketing Sdn Bhd, a trophy and certificate.

Winners for the 'Academic' and 'Activities' categories were Tumpuan Telisai Religious School, Tutong and Penanjong Religious School, Tutong respectively. Each of them was awarded B$3,000, a trophy and a certificate.

No winner was announced in the 'Overall' category this year.

To bless the ceremony, a doa selamat was read by Pehin Datu Seri maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

The ceremony drew to a close with a mass Isya' prayer which was led by Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Yahya bin Haji Ibrahim.

The theme of the Celebration of Important Dates on the Islamic Calendar 1430 Hijrah is: "Kedewasaan Bernegara Dengan Zikir". - Borneo Bulletin (20th July 2009)