Source : Pelita Brunei (Translation MCYS)
News : Siti Rokiah Abdullah - Information
Photo : Mohd. Zul-Izzi Haji Duraman, Siti Rokiah Abdullah - Information
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Tuesday, 3 March - A total of 700 officers and staff from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and its departments enlivened the Majlis Bertadarus Malam-malam Bulan Ramadan for the year 1447 Hijrah / 2026 AD, held last night at the Surau of Istana Nurul Iman.
The event was attended by the Acting Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid, together with his delegation in the men’s congregation area.
Also present was the Permanent Secretary (Culture) of MCYS, Pengiran Haji Mohd. Hasnan bin Pengiran Haji Ali Hassan.
Meanwhile, in the women’s congregation area, the Acting Permanent Secretary (Community) of MCYS, Dr. Siti Norkhalbi binti Haji Wahsalfelah, was in attendance.
At the Surau of Istana Nurul Iman, 490 male officers and staff filled the men’s section, while 210 female officers and staff attended in the women’s section.
The program began with the congregational Isyak prayer, followed by the Sunat Gerhana prayer and the Khutbah Gerhana delivered by Yang Dimuliakan Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Haji Emran bin Haji Kunchang. The evening continued with the Sunat Tarawih and Sunat Witir prayers.
The event proceeded with a tazkirah session and the recitation of the Tadarus Al-Quran, before concluding with the Doa Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara Brunei Darussalam.
In the women’s section, the tazkirah was delivered by Religious Development Assistant from the Islamic Da’wah Centre, Dayang Hajah ‘Aqilah Mukarramah binti Haji Salleh.
In her tazkirah, she emphasized that invoking Allah’s names (Asmaul Husna) is among the best ways for Muslims to seek His help. She explained that whether in seeking forgiveness, protection from calamities, or expressing fear and hope, supplicating through Allah’s names is a permissible and highly encouraged practice in Islam.
She elaborated on one of the Asmaul Husna, At-Tawwab, meaning “The One Who Accepts Repentance.” Allah forgives His servants’ sins, grants them guidance to repent, and eases their return to Him.
She added that understanding and internalizing Allah’s names can improve a believer’s quality in three key aspects: faith (aqidah), worship (ibadah), and spirituality (tasawuf).
From the perspective of faith, recognizing Allah’s attributes strengthens conviction in His greatness and power. In worship, it enhances devotion, as every act is performed with the awareness that Allah is All-Hearing and All-Seeing.
She further noted that when a person truly believes Allah observes every deed and thought, they will be more cautious in guarding their speech, actions, and behavior from what displeases Him.
Moreover, reflecting upon Asmaul Husna nurtures purity of soul and noble character. A believer will feel ashamed to commit sins and be motivated to use Allah’s blessings in ways that earn His pleasure.
The tazkirah also highlighted that Ramadan is not merely a month of abstaining from food and drink, but a time to return to Allah. Among the names of Allah closely associated with this blessed month is At-Tawwab, which reflects His boundless mercy, as He continuously opens the door of repentance day and night until life reaches its end.
Allah accepts repentance even for grave sins, provided it is accompanied by sincerity, remorse, and determination not to repeat them. Indeed, Allah Himself inspires His servants to repent, which is part of His mercy.
It was also explained that Allah grants repeated opportunities for His servants to return to Him, even if they fall into error multiple times.
This event reflects the ongoing commitment of MCYS officers and staff to enliven the month of Ramadan with spiritual enrichment while strengthening bonds of brotherhood among ministry personnel.
