Month: June 2022

Islam encourages its ummah to seek halal and good wealth. Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala forbids one from seeking sustenance or income through unacceptable ways such as usury, corruption or fraud. Islam forbids all forms of fraud and deception in business transactions and while dealing with others. The reminder was made in yesterday’s Friday sermon titled ‘Beware of Digital Financial Scams’. The Friday Sermon stressed that the crime of digital financial fraud is usually carried out through PHISHING. The fraudulent activity involves the use of website links or attachments that resemble common files designed by cyber criminals. The second method is SMISHING. The Modus Operandi or fraud is through short messages. The third method of VISHING. Cybercriminals will call the victims to get their details. Such methods aim to deceive the recipient into believing the message and to obtain the victim’s personal and banking information.

The Imam or Prayer Leader also shared among the initiatives or precautions to prevent Digital Financial Fraud Schemes. First, check the website before clicking the link received either via email, SMS or others. Second, never give out personal information such as bank account password, debit or credit card numbers to anyone. Third to always check the bank account statement. Report any suspicious activities to the bank. Fourth, avoid using public Wi-Fi while making financial transaction. If an individual is exposed to digital financial fraud, they are encouraged to lodge a report to the authorities.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

Over 100 participants of the YSEALI alumni from 10 ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste participated in the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, YSEALI Summit Brunei 2022. With theme ‘Empowering Technology for a Greener Future’, the opening was held 2nd June night virtually.

Among those joining the event was Her Excellency Caryn McClelland, US Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam. The Embassy of the United States of America in Brunei Darussalam partnered with Big BWN Project and Malaysia-based Biji-biji Initiative in creating a summit aimed to provide experiential and immersive learning experiences for participants. The month-long summit will focus on technological solutions and 21st century methods of climate mitigation. Among the activities include a series of online panel discussions with climate experts, and a leadership development series.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

To make early preparations for haj affairs management before the arrival of Brunei Darussalam’s intending hajj pilgrims to the Holy Land, 11 officers from Brunei Darussalam’s Haj Management Administration and Medical for the Hajj Season 1443 HIJRAH 2022 left for Saudi Arabia on 2nd June, on-board flight BI 519.

Present at the Brunei International Airport to bid farewell was Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, Minister of Religious Affairs. Also present was Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs. The delegation was led by Awang Haji Abdullah bin Haji Mohamad as Head of Hajj Management. The first flight for this year’s Hajj season is scheduled to depart on 15th June, while the second flight will depart on 16th June.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

Industry workers are hoped to explore the basics of customer service according to Islamic values and principles through the Islamic Values on Customer Service training. Through the training, it is also hoped that skills and knowledge in managing tourists can be enhanced by instilling Islamic and Bruneian values. These were among the matters underlined by the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism in his keynote address at the launching of the International Seminar on Halal Tourism and Hospitality, ISHTaH which carried the theme Promoting Domestic Tourism Towards Enhancing Local Halal Value Chain. The ceremony was held yesterday morning at the International Convention Centre in Berakas. In the keynote address, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Apong also shared on the objectives of the internalisation of Islamic values in providing tourism services.

This includes providing exposure to workers in the country’s tourism industry; providing unique experience to Muslim and non-Muslim tourists from overseas; raise awareness on instilling Islamic values in the country’s customer service industry; and enhance skills as well as capabilities of service providers in promoting Islamic tourism in the country.

The seminar was organised by the Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University, UNISSA through the Halalan Thayyiban Research Centre in cooperation with Prince of Songkla University, Thailand, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Universitas Negeri Malang and Universiti Islam Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah in conjunction with the Brunei MYCE 2022. Among those delivering a keynote address was Associate Professor Doctor Noor Azimin Zainol from Universiti Utara Malaysia titled Enchancing Muslim Travellers’ Experience: Lets Get Ready. Also present was Doctor Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal, Rector of UNISSA.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

A reception in conjunction with the International Waqaf Conference was held last night in Gadong, organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs in collaboration with the Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College and Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University.

In attendance was Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Othman, Minister of Religious Affairs. Also present were Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Doctor Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Home Affairs; Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Apong, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism; Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; and foreign envoys to the country. The event aimed to fete all presenters, exhibition participants and sponsors in making the International Waqaf Conference a success, in conjunction with the Brunei MYCE 2022.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

The Minister of Health also stated on the closing of the COVID Holding Area Tutong, Chat starting yesterday, 2nd of June.

This is considering the number of daily COVID-19 cases in the country continues to be at a stable and controlled level, especially for individuals who require hospital treatment in categories 4 and 5. During the endemic phase, the public still need to ensure and maintain personal hygiene at all times such as regular hand washing and practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

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 conferred Brunei Darussalam Medals of Honour to 300 recipients. The conferment of the medals was in conjunction with His Majesty’s birthday celebration. The ceremony took place yesterday morning at Balai Singgahsana Indera Kencana, Istana Nurul Iman. His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office officiated the conferment of the Medals of Honour as His Majesty’s personal representative. Also present were His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah.

The ceremony commenced with the conferment of the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian, PJK or Meritorious Service Medal. Among the recipients was His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah, Manager and Head of the National Polo Team.

The Pingat Bakti Laila Ikhlas, PBLI was conferred to Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Jurulateh Adat Istiadat Diraja Dato Paduka Haji Awang Mashhor bin Haji Awang Metahir. Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Abdul Qawi ibni His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, a National Polo Team Athlete who won the gold medal at the 30th SEA Games in 2019, received the PJK. 95 recipients comprising 81 men and 14 women were conferred the PJK. They were officers and staff of the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Defence; Ministry of Home Affairs; Ministry of Religious Affairs; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Development; Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications; Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; the private sector and national athletes. Meanwhile, 204 recipients received the Pingat Indah Kerja Baik, PIKB comprising officers and staff of the Prime Minister’s Office.

Doa Selamat was read by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Doctor Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

The International Waqaf Conference in conjunction with Brunei MYCE 2022 among others aimed to enhanced understanding on waqaf or endowment and its role comprehensively in generating and stabilising the economy as well as highlighting the privileges and advantages of the waqaf institution as an agent of ummah development.

Dr. Haji Noralizam Bin Haji Aliakbar, Co-Secretary of the International Waqaf Conference said the conference is hoped to provide an extensive understanding among the society and for them be more pro-active in waqaf as anyone can be part of it. 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

The International Waqaf Conference continued in the afternoon with the presentation of three main Working Papers.

Present was Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs. The main Working Papers titled Corporate Waqaf: Models, Governance and Implementation Challenges; Wakaf Financing Ummah Development-Singapore Experience and Integration of Social and Commercial Financial Funds were delivered by presenters from Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia respectively.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

Waqaf can and have brought major benefits to the society and even Muslims throughout its history everywhere even in non-Muslim countries and minority communities or even as far as the citizen component and minority population among the people and non-Muslim majority population. The Minister of Religious Affairs explained the matter at the Opening Ceremony of the International Waqaf Conference in conjunction with the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition 2022, MYCE 2022, yesterday MORNING. According to Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, the tithe must be paid and collected at certain times according to the haul and at a certain rate according to the amount and according to the types.

Yang Berhormat Pehin reminded that the implementation of waqaf has contributed to the country especially in reducing the government budget. With the presentation of waqaf in the form of necessities, the financial allocation from the government is not required.

The conference was jointly officiated by the Minister of Religious Affairs; Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Doctor Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister Of Home Affairs; and Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Apong, Minister Of Primary Resources And Tourism. The theme of the conference is ‘Towards Realising a Comprehensive Waqaf Implementation and Management’.

The Minister of Home Affairs presented a Premier Paper titled ‘Wakaf and Socio -Economic Development’ followed by the virtual presentation of the main paper 1 by Datuk Doctor Mohd Ghazali Mohd Noor, the Deputy Secretary General of the Zakat and Waqaf Forum, Malaysia.

The Brunei Islamic Week Exhibition also features waqaf clinic during the conference. The 4-day exhibition held until 4th of June is jointly conducted with the Waqaf Division, Brunei Islamic Religious Council Department, Ministry of Religious Affairs; UNISSA and KUPU SB. This year, four Waqaf Institutions from abroad participated in the exhibition. 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

Yang Berhormat also stated that as previously informed, the Ministry of Health continues to conduct gene sequencing analysis to identify the types of COVID-19 variants detected in the country even in the current situation where daily cases have decreased.

Since early January 2022, 1,593 samples from COVID-19 positive cases have undergone gene sequencing tests in which 87.9 percent of the samples were found to be from the Omicron variant. Meanwhile, one case has been detected as the Omicron BA-4 variant. The case arrived in the country from South Africa on 25th April 2022 and only have mild symptoms. At present, the case has fully recovered. Globally, the number of cases of Omicron BA-1 and BA-2 variants are higher than the number of cases of Omicron BA-4 and BA-5 variants. Therefore, the inclusion of cases with Omicron variants BA-4 and BA-5 are not expected to result in a significant increase in cases in the country. With the inclusion of this Omicron BA-4 variant, the public are advised not to feel anxious or worried. The Ministry of Health will constantly monitor the development of COVID-19. The public are advised to follow the current SOPs.

Source: Radio Television Brunei