BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Saturday, May 29, 2010

MEMBERS of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) were reminded to be faithful to Allah and respect their leaders in carrying out duties and responsibilities to safeguard the prosperity, stability and national security.

Imams in the country told the congregants in the Friday sermon that history has shown that in Islam, the actual military strength and victory does not come from the size of the troop and the strength of their military equipment, but from the strength of faith of each member of the armed forces.

Brunei has established the RBAF to protect and maintain the peace, harmony and sovereignty of the country and like other countries, we are not left behind in terms of military equipment and technology.

“But we need to know that all that are not enough to guarantee the strength of a country’s defense,” the sermon reminded. Faith is the one thing that will build sincerity and patience, courage and undivided loyalty to the leader, with a willingness to sacrifice in battles.

In a struggle to defend a country, it is not only the military personnel but all levels of society must possess these traits as it needs people who are willing to fight and sacrifice to defend their country, imams added. Thus, feelings of love for the country, religion, race and the king must be nurtured among them.

It also highlighted that as Muslims, we are required to obey the leaders, including the battle leaders. “It is the responsibility of every military personnel to obey their leader’s orders as long as it does not conflict with the Islamic law because any conflict and disunity will only cause destruction and devastation,” imams said.

They added, “We need to realise that the real enemy is not the ones who fights us with their strength, but our desires that can lead to disobedience and ultimately threatened the prosperity, harmony and sanctity of religion.”

These desires include drug abuse, gambling and social ills. Thus, citizens should fight against them that may continue to poison the people’s minds.

The Brunei Times

• Sermon: Take advantage of Ramadhan to quit smoking
• Brunei mulls vertical housing after 2012
• Great strides in development of Brunei Halal brand
• A study to help local SMEs cut operation costs
• OIC shows interest in Brunei's halal guidelines, may adopt as standard