Newspaper Article

1st Batch Of Pilgrims Off To Holy City

Written by Rasidah NAB Wednesday, 04 November 2009 06:07 

 

Send-Off: Families And Friends Bid Farewell To Brunei Darussalam's First Batch Of Pilgrims Leaving For Mekah At The Brunei International Airport. This Year 766 Bruneians Are Performing One Of The Five Pillars Of Islam.

Bandar Seri Begawan - The first batch of Bruneian Haj pilgrims left Brunei in early hours yesterday morning.

A total of 170 pilgrims out of 766 left for Saudi Arabia, and as what happens every year, family members and friends gathered at the Brunei International Airport creating a colourful sea of people in the departure hall.Amidst the commotion, family members hugged and kissed those who will be performing one of the five pillars of Islam, joining millions of Muslims in the holy city of Mekah and Madinah.

The pilgrims are heading for the holy city under the travel packages of Darussalam Holdings Sdn Bhd and Straits Central Agencies.In a press statement, the Ministry of Religious Affairs said the pilgrims were accompanied by 33 health and medical officers religious officers assigned to provide assistance throughout the month long pilgrimage.

Present to give a send-off to the pilgrims at the Brunei International Airport were Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Mohd Zain Hj Serudin and Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Mohamed JA Hashim.Also present were Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Uthman, deputy minister of Religious Affairs, the permanent secretary, the deputy permanent secretary and senior officers.

Pehin Khatib Hj Suhaili Hj Metali Al-Hafiz recited the doa selamat (thanksgiving prayer), while Imam Hj Asmat Hj Tuah, recited the azan (call for prayer).The second batch of Brunei Darussalam's pilgrims is scheduled to leave today at noon.This year, four flights are scheduled to take Brunei's pilgrims to perform the Haj.The remaining pilgrims will be flying off on November 5 and 6 at 12.15am and 6.15am respectively. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times