In line with the national philosophy of Malay, Islamic, Monarchy and the desire of the government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam to make the country into a nation of zikir, a Nationwide Ratib Al'Atas Reading Ceremony was held in conjunction with His Majesty's 66th birthday celebration. Such a ceremony is one of the approaches for youths to instill good teachings or practices that are encouraged by Islam.
Three thousand 500 male youths from throughout the country attended the function held at the Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, Kampong Kiarong. The function began with a mass sunat or commendable doha prayer led by the Acting Senior Officer of Mosque Affairs Department, Awang Haris bin Haji Suboh. Present were the Minister of Education, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abu Bakar and the Minister of Religious Affairs, Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Doktor Haji Mohammad as well as the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hazair.
The function was highlighted with a talk entitled 'cintai Solat' or Love Prayer by Awang Haji Badaruddin bin Haji Besar from the Islamic Dakwah Centre. The talk stressed on the event of the Isra' Mi'raj as well as the advantages and blessings of prayer. The movements in prayer can be seen as light exercise and each movement is able to exercise certain parts of the body. The five times a day prayer also teaches one to manage time.
The reading of the Ratib Al-Attas was led by a 2nd year student of the "Aliyah Qiraat" diploma from the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Tahfiz Al-Quran Institute, Awang Mohd Abu Hurairah bin Arifin.
Such a gathering will enhance the involvement of youths in religious activities which will act as frontliners in facing challenges apart from acting as the continuation of leadership in the future. The excellence and quality of youths mainly depends on the commitment and effort of every party to place them on the right platform. A generation of quality will be able to form a strong race and nation. The function was organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports with the cooperation of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs. It was conducted by the Youth and Sports Department.