Newspaper Article

First Batch Of Pilgrims Leave For Haj

Written by Lyna Mohamad & Rohani Hj Abd Hamid Wednesday, 04 November 2009 08:48

 

Bandar Seri Begawan - Some 181 Haj pilgrims left the country on RBA flight BI 4171 to Jeddah, early yesterday morning, in the first batch of pilgrims travelling from Brunei who will be performing the haj in the holy city of Mecca to fulfill the fifth pillar of Islam.

Of the total number of pilgrims who boarded yesterday's flight, 161 are using the Darussalam Holdings package while another 16, the Street Central Agency package.The pilgrims are accompanied by  four Haj officials, namely Mohd Zulikram Hj Omarali and Pg Hj Rosdimar Pg Hj Omar from Darussalam Holdings Sdn Bhd (DHSB) and religious officer Ustaz Hj Sammali Hj Adam and Ustazah Dayang Hajah Laki Haji Ibrahim.

Among the pilgrims on the first flight were Pengiran Salleh Ab Rahaman Pg Hj Damit and Rinawaty Abdullah, the parents of Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah. Her Royal Highness was present at the Brunei International Airport to bid her parents farewell.

Also present among the well-wishers at the airport yesterday were Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Awg Mohd-Zain bin Hj Serudin, the Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Awg Othman, the Deputy Minister, Hj Awg Mohd Mahdi bin POKDGSDDLU Hj Awg Abd Rahman, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, Pg Hj Bahrom bin Pg Hj Bahar, the Deputy Permanent Secretary, and the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Brunei.

According to a press release from Darussalam Holdings, the second batch of pilgrims will depart today at 12.15 noon on flight BI 4173 which will carry 11 pilgrims on its package, while the third batch leaves tomorrow on flight BI 4175, departing also at 12.15 noon and carrying 183 pilgrims under the same package. Haj officials Hj Shamsul Baharin Hj Abd Rahman and Hj Ahmad Fadhli Hj Damit of DHSB will be on hand to accompany the pilgrims. Both flights are scheduled to arrive at 6.51pm local time.

Darussalam Holdings' final batch of 182 pilgrims and accompanying officials Dyg Kamsiah Hj Dali of DHSB and Religious Officer Hj Abd Kahar Hj Ali will leave on Friday, November 6 on flight BI 4177, departing at 6.15am and arriving at 11.5 lam local time.A total of 546 pilgrims are using the Darussalam Holdings package for this year's 'pilgrimage. The company is also providing 12 haj officials to accompany the pilgrims, led by its managing director, Awg Hj Mahmud Hj Mohamed.-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin