Sultan performs Korban rites
By Azim Karim

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to attend the Korban, or 'Feast of Sacrifice' ceremony, and carried out the sacrificial rites on a goat during the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration at Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah in Kampong Kiarong, yesterday.

His Majesty was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Hj 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 Hj Sufri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Hj Jefri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Mateen.

Greeting His Majesty upon arrival was Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad bin Pengiran Hj Abdul Rahman, Minister of Religious Affairs.

His Majesty had personally contributed 14 goats and 50 cows to be sacrificed around the country, of which seven goats were slaughtered at the vicinity of Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah yesterday, while the sacrificial rites for the remainder of the animals were conducted at the Mulaut Abattoir Sdn Bhd slaughterhouse.

The ceremony began with a recitation of surah al-fatihah, which was led by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

Also performing the sacrificial rites on six other goats were HRH Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik and HRH Prince 'Abdul Mateen while His Majesty witnessed the rites.

The sacrificial meat was swiftly prepared and portioned evenly for His Majesty to personally hand them over to 20 selected members of the less fortunate community from the Brunei-Muara District, while the rest of the meat were distributed at ceremonies in all four districts.

This year, 2,641 members of the less fortunate community nationwide will be receiving the korban meat, of which 1,678 reside in the Brunei-Muara District, 401 in the Tutong District, 392 in the Belait District and 150 in the Temburong District.

To bless the ceremony, a doa selamat was read by the State Mufti.

Earlier in the morning, His Majesty also consented to join thousands of his subjects to perform the mass Sunnat Aidiladha prayer at Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, which was led by Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awang Yahya bin Hj Ibrahim.

The Hari Raya Aidiladha prayer was performed simultaneously in all mosques and prayer halls across the country. The Aidiladha Sermon at the Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah was read by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz 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 (8th Novempber 2011)


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