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Brunei Tribal Leader Embraces Islam in Royal Ceremony
With additional reporting by Kazi Mahmood
JAKARTA, Dec. 27 (IslamOnline 7 News Agencies) - The conversion to Islam of a tribal leader in Brunei made headlines Thursday, as the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, flew by helicopter to the village to witness the ceremony.
The Chief of Mukin Sukang, Dato Maharaja Setia Simpuk, an interior tribal chief and his wife, have chosen Islam as their new faith.
Acting District officer Awang Haji Mohamad Abdul greeted the arrival of Hassanal Bolkiah, who traveled in his special helicopter to the oil town 120 kilometers south of the capital to be present at the conversion ceremony at the residence of the District Officer.
The newly converted 69-year-old tribal elder is now known as Dato Maharaja Setia Mohamad Simpuk. His wife will now be known as Dasidi Hajijah binte Abdullah Malikum. She is 63-years-old.
Islam, in fact, is not new to the family of the chief. Two of his siblings have already embraced Islam. The event gained national attention in the country, whose population is more than 95 percent Muslim.
Simpuk is the traditional leader of the Dusun, Iban and Punan communities deep in Brunei's interior. He has been named chief since 1982. Mukhim Sukang is located in the Belait District and is home to about 500 members of the three communities.
As the chief, the villagers respect him for his leadership, leading the three communities in harmony.
The presence of Brunei's Sultan at the conversion ceremony underlines the importance the latter attaches on the well being of his people, Radio Television Brunei commented.
The Sultan said he would like to ensure that the Syiarah, or the good tidings of the teachings of Islam, reaches the different sectors of society regardless of geography.
Meanwhile, members of Persatuan Nurul Islam (Muslim Converts Association) and new converts in the country are urged to continue and upgrade their involvement in religious and community welfare activities.
The Director of Islamic Dakwah Center, Awang Haji Adam bin Haji Ahmad, presenting certificates to 33 new converts who completed the Tajwid Al-Quran short course recently.
Ahmad said the Islamic Dakwah Center is always ready to give whatever help and support it can provide, based on the needs required.
He said the survival of an association depends on several factors, one of which is commitment. Each member of the association must be committed and always ready to involve himself by giving contribution and support towards the association.
Apart from that, they must also ready to spend their time, energy and also money, in order to make the association activities successful, he said.
Ahmad added that association leaders and members of the organizing committee should be honest toward the mandate and trust given by the members to manage the association in order to achieve the objectives of the association and implement the programs which have been planned.
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