Brunei-Muara - Thirty-Two men and 39 women, government officials and staff from various ministries and Majlis Ta`alim (women`s groups) received certificates of participation for a Fiqh Al-Hajj course that started July 25.
Organised by the Women`s Courses and Guidance Unit of the Islamic Da`wah Centre, Ministry of Religious Affairs, participants were given lectures and lessons on performing the rite of the Haj properly. `We obtained a deeper understanding of the Haj," Hj Salim Hj Muntol from the Ministry of Education said. "Working makes it difficult to learn, but the five-day course gave us a chance," he added.
"It presented some new in formation that most of us weren`t aware of, especially when it comes to perfecting the rite and receiving an acceptable Haj," Zainab Hj Abang Julaihi from the Ministry of, Culture-, Youth & Sports said. "Conditions were comfortable and the facilitators were very accommodating, particularly with some of us who knew very little about the Haj," she lamented. Though the course has come to an end, Zainab recommends that participants continue with their search for more knowledge.
Hjh Zaleha Hj Momin found the course to be a chance to enhance their existing knowledge of the Haj. "In the future, I hope there will be more courses provided to give deeper understanding of other religious aspects," she said. "It`s something that benefits everyone, useful both in life and the afterlife," she added. Noticing that gaining new knowledge in adulthood proves to be a massive challenge, she would like to see people not give up too easily.
"Though the duration of the course was quite short, there was much to be learned and the participants, who saw themselves as students, did not lack in spirit," Hjh Raemah Hj Dagang, Head of the Women`s Courses & Guidance department said. She saw that the Haj course would be invaluable, much so for those who plan on performing the Umrah or Haj this year. "It could also incite the desire to go again," she said with a smile, referring to those who have already been on Umrah and Haj. She attributed the success of the course to the cooperation between the participants and the facilitators, as well as their personal input.
"Observations made during the execution of the course will help to improve future ones," she added.
The participants attended the course during working hours, and had an evaluation last Thursday to gauge their degree of understanding. In an exam-style, participants were graded and the best scorers were given prizes. From the Majlis Ta`alim, Hjh Jamilah Dato Paduka Hj Noordin received a prize for her grade of 95 per cent. From the female government officials and staff, Siti Sarimah Hj Ahmad from the Municipal Board and Noraini Abdullah Apoh from Seameo Vochtech both got prizes for grades. But it was Hj Ihsani Hj Ismail from the Ministry of Home Affairs received cheers in addition with his prize for his perfect score
Source: www.brudirect.com (30 Juli 2007)