Feb

Practice run for National Day prayers

Written by Jimi-Ha on 22 February 2012.

A rehearsal was conducted yesterday for the upcoming 28th National Day mass prayers at the Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien (SOAS) Mosque. Picture: BT/Wardi Buntar

BY WARDI BUNTAR

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN - A REHEARSAL for the 28th National Day mass Maghrib prayers and Doa Kesyukuran (thanksgiving prayers) went smoothly yesterday at the Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien (SOAS) Mosque.

To oversee the rehearsal, present was the Senior Assistant to the Chief of Adat Istiadat Pg Seri WijayaPg Hj Ahmad and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila DirajaDato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah.

Yesterday, the officers from the Religious Affairs ministry performed a run-through of the prayers. The purpose of the rehearsal that will be held at 5.45pm on February 22 was to also prepare for His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's visit to the mosque for the mass prayers.

Also expected to join the prayers are members of the royal family, statesmen, ministers, deputy ministers and senior government officials as well as members of the public. Similar thanksgiving ceremonies and prayers will alsobe held throughout the nation in mosques in all four districts.

The mass prayers and thanksgiving is an annual event participated by both young and old, locals and foreigners, to express gratitude to Allah SWT for 28 years of independence. It also marks the Sultanate's growth in various areas, developing Brunei into what it is today, having enjoyed over two decades of independence.

Some 5,700 participants would prepare for the 28th National Day celebration. The participants in this year's parade at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien (Taman SOAS) in the capital, represent 121 groups including the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Royal Brunei Police Force, the Hassanal Bolkiah Youth Trophy participants, government departments and ministries, schools, colleges, representatives from the private sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Some 1,000 participants are members of NGOs while 200 comprise civil servants.

A number of roads in the capital will be closed from 6am on February 23. This year's theme for the celebration will be "Negaraku Brunei Darussalam" (My country, Brunei Darussalam).

Construction of the mosque began on February 4, 1954 and was completed on September 26, 1958. Encompassing an area of five acres, the 225 by 86 feet mosque can accommodate about 3,000 worshippers.

Outside prayer areas were also set up yesterday to facilitate the large expected turnout.

-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times