By Danial Norjidi
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam personally contributed 14 goats and 48 cows for the Korban or 'Feast of Sacrifice' ceremony, to mark the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebrations yesterday at the Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque in Kampong Kiarong.
Upon arrival at the Jame' 'Asr Mosque, His Majesty was greeted by Pengiran Dato Seti Setia Dr Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman, Minister of Religious Affairs.
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 Mohamed Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Haji 'Abdul 'Azim and His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik.
The monarch began the Korban ceremony by carrying out the sacrificial rites on the first goat. After that, His Majesty stood witness to the sacrifice of six other goats, while the sacrificial rites for the remainder of the animals were conducted at the Mulaut Abattoir Sdn Bhd slaughterhouse.
This was preceded with a recital of surah al-fatihah, which was led by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.
His Majesty later consented to present the sacrificial meat to 20 selected members of the less fortunate community from the Brunei-Muara District, while the rest received meat at ceremonies which took place in all four districts.
To bless the ceremony, the State Mufti read a doa selamat at the end of the event.
The meat from the 14 goats and 48 cows was given to a total of 1,113 members of the less fortunate community, 752 of whom live in the Brunei-Muara District, 68 in Tutong, 213 in Kuala Belait and 80 in Temburong.
Earlier yesterday morning, His Majesty joined thousands of his subjects to perform the Hari Raya Aidiladha prayers, while similar prayers were also carried out simultaneously in all mosques and prayer halls throughout the country.
The Aidiladha sermon was delivered by Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Awang Salim bin Hj Besar.
Also present at the ceremony were state dignitaries, Cabinet Ministers, as well as other special guests and members of the public.
- Borneo Bulletin
(18th November 2010)
