British Minister Meets with Acting Minister of Religious Affairs at Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque

The British Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Mark Field MP visited the Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, one of the most impressive and beautiful examples of modern Islamic architecture in Southeast Asia. Minister Field was received by Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar, the Acting Minister of Religious Affairs and Permanent Secretary Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Aziz bin Orang Kaya Maharaja Lela Haji Yussof. Accompanying Minister Field was the British High Commissioner, H.E. Richard Lindsay. Also present during the visit were Deputy Permanent Secretary (Policy and Religion) Awang Haji Mohd Serudin bin Haji Timbang, and senior officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Following a tour of the Mosque, both Ministers met to discuss shared values and religious understanding. Minister Field was interested to hear about the arrangements taking place for Eid al-Adha in Brunei, and noted how many of his constituents in London were also busy planning for the festival. Minister Field was taken on a tour of the main prayer hall by Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom and visited the Abdul Aziz Library and had the opportunity to view some of His Majesty’s personal collection of Qur‘an manuscripts and scriptures.