His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, in a sabda stressed on the need for the Fatwa Institution as well as Fuqaha in the Mazhab Syafi'i to strengthen their presence in digital space, in line with the rapid and challenging developments in the digital era. His Royal Highness in the sabda said the development of an authoritative digital fatwa platform, which is easily accessible and user-friendly, is also VERY important. His Royal Highness made the sabda at the Opening Ceremony of the Mazhab Syafi'i International Conference in conjunction with the 60th Anniversary of the Fatwa Institution in Brunei Darussalam. The ceremony took place at the International Convention Centre, Berakas, 3rd June morning.
|Upon arrival, His Royal Highness was greeted by Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Setia Doctor Dayang Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Md Salleh, Minister of Education.
The recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and doa was led by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar.
This was followed by the reading of Surah Al-Alaq by Awang Mohammad Hamiz Mirza bin Haji Sudirman, Student of UNISSA.
Dato Seri Setia Doctor Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal, the Rector of UNISSA, in his welcoming speech, among other things, touched upon the fact that the conference is an important initiative, as a progressive step to uphold fatwas and face current challenges. He added that as the first such conference, it is hoped to give a significant impact to the efforts to continue strengthening the role of fatwas as an ummah guidance that is dynamic, authoritative and relevant with current realities.
The Fatwa Institution in a country, especially in this region, His Royal Highness in the sabda said, is vital to preserve, because it is not only the highest reference in all religious matters, but also the pillar of national policies.
His Royal Highness in the sabda also expressed concern that some members of the community are beginning to sideline official authorities in legal matters by choosing "Digital Ulama" or Digital Clerics to provide immediate answers to their questions. Anyone, said His Royal Highness, can claim to be a 'mufti' or 'ustaz' in the digital and cyber world.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Doctor Ustaz Awang Haji Abdul Aziz Bin Juned, State Mufti, in a video recording of the presentation of the Premier Paper, emphasised the emergence of main mazhab to help mankind understand the arguments of Islam, rather than dividing the ummah.
News courtesy of Radio Television Brunei
Photo courtesy of InfoFoto
