HM call for MH370 prayers answered
(Published by The Brunei Times, Friday 14 March 2014)
IN A response to a call by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Muslim community flocked to mosques nationwide yesterday for sunat hajat prayers for the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370.
The Royal call was made public by the Religious Affairs Ministry whose specific instructions were to hold the sunat hajat prayers after Maghribprayers.
A special doa (supplication) to ask for guidance from Allah SWT in the search efforts was also dedicated to the search efforts after the prayers.
His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik attended the special ceremony led by the State Mufti Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Abdul Aziz Juned at Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, in Kg Kiarong which was the focal point for Brunei-Muara District.
Brunei naval vessels are still searching for signs of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in Brunei waters, while more than 80 other ships and aircrafts have turned up no clues as the international search and rescue mission continues.
Navy boats are patrolling waters within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) that stretches 200 nautical miles from the coast “just in case” there are signs of debris, the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Commander told media yesterday.
“We are a small naval force... The (international) search area is about 700 nautical miles from here which would take our patrol vessels two to three days to reach,” said Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Seri Pahlawan Mohd Tawih Abdullah.
“At the moment (patrolling the EEZ) is how we are supporting the search operations just in case (there are signs of the missing aircraft).”
Pehin Dato Mohd Tawih said the military’s new Black Hawk choppers are not involved in current search efforts but added they have a plane at the ready if the need arises.
Flight MH370 vanished from radar while en route from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing, China, last Saturday with 239 people on board.
No debris from the Boeing 777-200 has been found despite extensive search and rescue operations which now covers 38,500 square miles.
“I have spoken with my counterpart in Malaysia. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the passengers, and we hope to get some definite news of what happened soon,” said the commander.
The Department of Civil Aviation has said it will provide any manpower or technical assistance required by the Malaysian authorities. The main focus of the search remains in the South China Sea where the Beijing-bound flight last made contact. But search teams are still looking to the west of the Malaysian peninsula after military radar suggested it may have flown off-course over the Strait of Malacca.
Source : Courtesy of The Brunei Times
14 March 2014