BY Azlan Othman

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam held a Junjung Ziarah with pilgrims embarking for Haj at Istana Nurul Iman yesterday.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office was also in attendance.

Present to greet His Majesty and His Royal Highness were Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman; Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, and Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar.

Some 453 intending Haj pilgrims will depart for Madinah and Makkah this year with the first flight scheduled for tomorrow at 11am and second flight on Thursday departing at 10am.

A pilgrim, Nor, was fortunate to be shortlisted to perform Haj this year.

He said he is grateful to His Majesty for the provision of Haj passage for public servants and their spouse.

For him, the final process is a PCR test for COVID-19 and the collection of his passport and vaccination book.

Another pilgrim said carrying out the Haj will earn rewards and blessings, so the obligatory rituals should be carried out in the proper manner. “We are also taught to increase commendable practices such as performing Sunnat prayers, reading Al-Quran, increasing Tawaf Sunnat, supplications, recitation of Zikir, Selawat, I’tikaf and giving of alms,” she said.

Yesterday, prior to the Junjung Ziarah, the pilgrims were screened for COVID-19 with antigen rapid test (ART) kits.

The pilgrims performed Zohor prayers, followed by Sunnat Hajat prayers for safe passage, before greeting His Majesty and His Royal Highness.

Male pilgrims were given a bag containing white Ihram clothes which will be worn during the Islamic pilgrimage while female pilgrims received Telekong (prayer veils).

The pilgrims underwent theory and practical courses in May to learn Haj rituals, such as Tawaf (circling seven times around the Kaabah), the Sa’ie from Safa to Marwah and throwing of stones at Jamarat.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin