His Majesty officiates the opening of International Seminar on Islamic Law
By Rokiah Mahmud

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday consented to officiate the opening ceremony of the International Seminar on Islamic Law.

The event took place at the Brunei International Defence Exhibition Hall (Bridex) in Jerudong.

Upon arrival, His Majesty was greeted by the Syarie Chief Justice, Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Yahya bin Haji Awang Ibrahim and the executive committee members for the seminar.

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 Haji Sufri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji 'Abdul 'Azim and His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik.

The International Seminar on Islamic Law commenced with the recitation of surah al-fatihah and the recitation of doa selamat by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti of Brunei Darussalam.

The Syarie Chief Justice, Pehin Khatib Ustaz Haji Awang Yahya, in his welcoming speech said that the seminar follows the titah delivered by His Majesty on March 15 during the Islamic Religious Council Conference and His Majesty's titah on July 15, 1996. Both titah clearly touched on the implementation of Syariah Law in the country and the handling of Islamic Criminal Law as ordered by Allah the Almighty.

"The Syariah Court has taken the initiative in analysing and tackling various issues that would invite views from members of the public particularly in an effort to implement the Syariah Law in order to ensure that the law is carried out properly," said by Pehin Khatib Ustaz Haji Awang Yahya.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam then consented to deliver a titah, followed by the declaration of the seminar's opening. His Majesty was then presented with a 'pesambah' by the Syariah Chief Justice.

During the official opening of the International Seminar on Islamic Law, the State Mufti presented his premier paper entitled, 'Implementation of Syariah Law: Challenges & Solutions', which elaborate in depth the credibility, justice, righteousness, proper judgements and debate before passing sentences on certain criminals.

The premier paper also touched on the challenges in implementing the Syariah Law, especially in the modern world where most of the people prefer to follow only the Civil Law instead.

The international seminar with the theme, 'Towards Implementation of Islamic Law', will be held for three days from October 12-14.

Some 13 working papers are to be presented during the three-day seminar; eight papers will be presented by Islamic Law experts from Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Australia, while the remaining six are to be presented by Brunei Islamic Law experts.

The three-day seminar is participated by 500 people comprising legislators, law practitioners, Syarie lawyers, Syarie prosecutors, law enforcement, government officials, academicians, students from higher institutions and members of the public. Among the participants who have joined the seminar include Syarie Judges and university students from Malaysia.

Before leaving, His Majesty and members of the royal family consented to have a photo session with the paper presenters for the seminar.

The inauguration of the International Seminar on Islamic Law is to uphold and support the noble intention of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam to implement the Syariah Law together with the Civil Law.

Moreover, the seminar would also help to achieve the vision of the Syariah Court of becoming a credible and superior judiciary institution, to strengthen expertise on judiciary and Syariah Law, as well as to add more reference collections and legal reading globally. - Borneo Bulletin (13th Octopber 2011)


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