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Number of Orphans in Sultanate Rising BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Brunei - New 2 Borneo

Number of Orphans in Sultanate Rising

Posted: 06 Jun 2014 12:04 PM PDT

Bandar Seri Begawan: The number of orphans continued to escalate in the Sultanate as evident in the list of registered orphans with the Pengiran Muda Mahkota Al-Muhtadee Billah Fund for Oprhans (DANA) has increased by one hundred per cent over the past decade,  ©BRUDIRECT.COM reported.

On the sidelines of a donation handing over ceremony yesterday, a Yayasan officer stated the number of orphans registered under DANA has jumped from one thousand and eight hundred a decade ago to three thousand and six hundred.

Those who are receiving assistance are both Muslims and non-Muslims including indigenous locals, permanent residents as well as foreign mothers with legitimate paperwork to show they are working in the country.

Statistically, the increase in the number of orphans under DANA stands at ten per cent annually, with an average of fifteen children a month who will receive DANA aid until they reach the age of eighteen based on the Islamic Hijrah calendar.

The state defines orphaned children as those who are fatherless; either their fathers have passed away or extradited to their home countries i.e. foreigners – who are referred to DANA by their respective village heads regardless of their economic standing.

Though acknowledging the public for generously donating to support these orphaned children, the officer said, "The increase in donations is not proportionate to the increasing number of recipients and the amount we receive is slowing down", which has impacted those concerned.

Among the cited reasons include the escalating number of victims affected by natural disasters and those victims have also been receiving financial assistance from the public.

The rising cost of living has also added to DANA's concern, including school supplies these children can claim from designated locations. Presently, DANA provides recipients with BND$50 vouches for their schooling needs prior to the start of a new school term while infant orphans are provided for their respective needs.

The officer was somewhat optimistic and added "Praise be to Allah, we are still receiving funds that are exclusively from public contributions and stressed what DANA receives is not spent on anything else but orphans because, first and foremost, this is their right" assures the Yayasan officer while at the same time encouraging society to participate in their roles to support NGOs.

Meanwhile, St John's School from Kuala Belait yesterday donated five per cent that amounts to BND$1,895.37 of the proceeds collected from a jogathon event held last Apri which was participated by Kindergarten to Year 11 students and their parents.

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State Mufti calls upon relevant authority to test so-called certified “Halal” products

Posted: 05 Jun 2014 05:19 PM PDT

Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Awg Abd Juned speaking during the Forum Irsyad ceremony in conjunction with Isra' Mi'raj 1435H/2014M at Darul 'Ifta' Building, State Mufti's Office yesterday.

"We shouldn't be irresponsible about halal and haram in food, such as eating anything we want, without asking questions, without conducting analysis and tests. We shouldn't be satisfied just because the food company has Halal certification or just because the packaging shows a Halal logo" says the State Mufti.

"Asking from Allah the Almighty is easier than asking from fellowmen. There are conditions, but these conditions are not cumbersome. What are the conditions for our wishes to be easily granted? It is simply maintaining and complying with Halal consumption" said the State Mufti.

He said food that is Haram or "syubhah" (suspected to be non-Halal) should not taint our supplications and we should make sure that we consume is not haram or tainted with elements considered forbidden in Islamic dietary rule such as porcine DNA that is derived from commercially farmed pig.

The State Mufti strongly reminded the Muslims and the general public that "a certificate is only a license and the logo is only a mark". He added that both were not absolute determinants for something to be completely Halal, for example the uproar next door about Cadbury chocolate. The distributor was said to have a Halal certification complete with its logo. When this happened, said the State Mufti, the community became confused.

"What I want to address here is that we as the people of Brunei should take this as a lesson, which is that it is not enough to just simply issue a Halal certificate and Halal logo, we should continue to monitor and test all products which are given Halal certificate and logo from time to time" suggest Yang Berhormat Pehin Dato Paduka Dr Ustaz Hj Awg Abd Aziz.

"It should not only be limited to products in cans or boxes, but also meat, including poultry meat imported and supplied to local restaurants, shops, eateries, and sold to the public. In addition, all of the people's favorites such as the different kinds of bread, cake and ice cream will also need to be monitored and reviewed".

The State Mufti said this step is crucial as it is part of Fardhu Kifaya' (communal obligation) and as protection for Muslim consumers. He urged the relevant authorities to be more proactive and advanced in handling such problems, because present day trends do not teach us to sit quietly or be complacent.

During the forum yesterday, the State Mufti launched four books published by the State Mufti's Office; Manusia Mencabar Allah (Man Challenges Allah), Gaya Hidup Sihat dan Permakanan Sihat: Menurut Perspektif Islam (Healthy Lifestyle and Diet: From Islamic Perspective), Membaca Nadi Kejayaan Bangsa (Reading the Glorious Pulse of Nation) and Puasa dan Zakat (Fasting and Tithe). All books were written by Yang Berhormat Pehin himself.

The forum was chaired by Noorus Sadiqin Hj Md Yassin, Assistant Religious Research Officer, State Mufti's Office, with panelists comprised Hj Jufri Hj Hidup, Mosque Affairs Officer at the Mosque Affairs Department; Hj Abd Azim Hj Ahmad, Religious Research Officer at the State Mufti's Office; and Hjh Norashikin Hj Abd Majid, Ulama Tarbiah Fatwa at the State Mufti's Office.

The ceremony concluded with a souvenir presentation to the guest of honor and the recitation of Doa Selamat by Ak Zamiri Pg Hj Jamaluddin, Religious Research Officer, State Mufti's Office.

The forum carried the theme "Sembahyang Teras Kekuatan Ummah" (Prayers the Core Strength of Islamic Community).

Muslims Reminded to Remain Steadfast in Performing Religious Obligations

Posted: 05 Jun 2014 10:26 AM PDT

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Performing religious obligations to Allah the Almighty with istiqamah (to go straight into the righteous path devoid of any deviation whatsoever; steadfast) or continuously can train a Muslim to always perform zikir towards the Great Creator of Universe. The matter was the main content of a Special Talk at a Celebration Ceremony to commemorate Isra' Mi'raj organised by the State Judiciary Department and e-Government National Centre yesterday afternoon, ©BRUDIRECT.COM reported.

Present at the ceremony was His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik. The ceremony commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Isra' by a student of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Tahfiz Al-Quran, Md Najib Hj Aliakbar.

Also present were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pg Anak Hj Abd Aziz Pg Jaya Negara Pg Hj Abu Bakar and the Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister's Office, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abd Rahman Hj Ibrahim.

The Special Talk was delivered by a Senior Officer at the Syariah Affairs Department, Awg Hj Saharuddin Hj Patra. The talk highlighted the great event of Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam when he received the syariat (principles of oneness and faith) for performing five times daily prayers which become the obligation and trust upon all of the Muslim ummah.

The talk also touched on the various advantages and blessings in performing religious obligations towards Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala. Three hundred officers and staff of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and the departments under it attended the ceremony.

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DPMM FC Fans Appreciation Session at ISB, Give Away 100 Tickets to Home Match

Posted: 04 Jun 2014 11:29 AM PDT

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei's DPMM FC's success in the Singapore League and Singapore Cup this season continues to receive attention and support from football fans in the Sultanate. To show appreciation to local soccer enthusiasts and fans of the club, Brunei DPMM FC yesterday organised a football clinic and a "Meet-the-Fans" session at the International School Berakas (ISB), ©BRUDIRECT.COM reported.

Present to take part in the football clinic and meet the fan session were His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Wakeel and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah.

Also in attendance were His Majesty's grandsons, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Muntaqim and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak 'Abdul Haseeb.

His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Wakeel and His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Muntaqim consented to receive pesambah in the form of Brunei DPMM FC official jersey.

His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Wakeel and Her Royal Highness Prince Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah then consented to have a photo session together with the players, officials and coaches of the club.

The students of International School Berakas (ISB) also have the opportunity to mingle with Brunei DPMM FC local and import players.

At the function, the Manager of Brunei DPMM FC, Pg Hj Md Waslimin Pg Setia Jaya Pg Hj Abd Momin handed over one hundred pieces of tickets to the school to watch a match between Brunei DPMM FC and Home United FC in the Singapore League this Friday at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, Berakas.

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