Mass tahlil prayers for crash victims

Minister of Religious Affairs YB Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Muhammad (L), Deputy Minister of Religous Affairs Pengiran Dato Haji Bahrom (3rdL), Deputy Minister of Defence Dato Paduka Hj Mustappa Hj Sirat (4thL), and senior officials join the mass Zohor prayers and a recital of Surah Yassin, for the victims of the RBAirF Bell 212 helicopter that crashed at Ulu Belait on the eve of Ramadhan fasting month, at Jame’ ’Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, Kiarong. Picture: BT/Saifulizam 

Rabiatul Kamit and Wardi Buntar
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Monday, July 23, 2012

MUSLIMS in the nation yesterday joined mass prayers for the 12 soldiers killed in the helicopter tragedy that happened in Ulu Belait last Friday.

The congregrants, from family members of the bereaved to concerned members of the public, gathered at the Jame''Asr Hassanil Bolkiah in Kg Kiarong to perform the Zohor prayers. Grieving uniformed personnel were also seen at the ceremony.

After the mass prayers, the event proceeded with the recitation of the Surah Yassin and Tahlil. The names of the deceased were also read out by the mosque's Imam, Pehin Khatib Hj Suhaili Hj Metali Al-Hafiz.

Among those present was Minister of Religious Affairs Yang Berhormat Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Muhammad Pg Hj Abd Rahman, and Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar.

Also in attendance was Deputy Minister of Defence Dato Paduka Hj Mustappa Hj Sirat and Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Commander Major General Dato Paduka Seri Hj Aminuddin Ihsan Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Hj Abidin alongside other government officials.

Among the crowds of congregants at the mosque yesterday was also Lieutenant (U) Muhd Wan Azem Hj Aminuddin, a military counsellor with the RBAF, who told The Brunei Times that he was saddened by the unexpected tragedy, which claimed the lives of 12 soldiers.

"I would like to express my condolences to the families of the RBAF personnel who lost their family members in the tragic event. May Allah bless their souls," he said, adding that he urged the nation to remember the "heroes for the sacrifice they have made" for the country.

(Top) Mass prayers at the Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah in Kampung Kiarong. At the women's side of the mosque, some recited and cried quietly during the processions. (Above) Some of the congregrates hold back tears during the recital of Surah Yassin, for the victims of the RBAirF Bell 212 helicopter that crashed at Ulu Belait on the eve of Ramadhan fasting month, at Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, Kiarong. Pictures: BT/Saifulizam, Wardi Buntar

The Brunei Times