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, and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam yesterday received a Junjung Ziarah from this year's prospective Haj pilgrims at Istana Nurul Iman.

The annual tradition provides an opportunity for Bruneian pilgrims to meet with the monarch and express their gratitude for the support received from His Majesty in facilitating their journey to Makkah.

In less than two weeks, 400 pilgrims from Brunei will embark on a spiritual journey that will take them half way across the world, to join millions of other Muslims in performing one of Islam's mandatory pillars in Makkah and Madinah.

A total of 194 men and 204 women are scheduled to leave for Jeddah on August 18 and 19, on two separate flights.

During the event, His Majesty was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), in receiving the male pilgrims.

Meanwhile, Her Majesty was accompanied by Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman, in receiving the female pilgrims.

For first-time Haj pilgrims, twenty-nine-year-old Dayang Safwanah binti Ahmad, and her family, a daunting travel schedule lies ahead, but she says that taking Haj guidance classes have helped to prepare them both physically and spiritually for the trip.

"Of course as a first-timer I feel nervous but Alhamdulillah, the guidance and support given along the way has helped me prepare for this," she said, adding that she hopes to perform the Haj rituals to the best of her abilities.

Safwanah will be travelling with her parents and eight family members - all of whom have made their own preparations for the trip, including attending special briefings and lectures, with additional help from religious teachers familiar with the process.

For Dayang Nurul Syamimi binti Abdullah Wong and Awang Muhd Sanif, the journey ahead of them is a fulfilment of their dreams, since converting to Islam 13 years ago.

The couple with six children, from Kampong Tungku, Gadong, said that they had always wanted to set foot in the Holy Land. "Alhamdulillah, what I have always hoped for has finally become a reality. I thank Allah the Almighty for this once in a lifetime opportunity," she said.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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