Lyna Mohamad

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to name the permanent building of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Islamic Exhibition Hall as Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah yesterday.

The monarch made the announcement at the opening ceremony of the Knowledge Convention 2019. His Majesty also announced that the management and administration of the Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah will be placed under the Prime Minister’s Office.

In the titah, the monarch regards the Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah as similar to Baitul Hikmah during the era of Abbasiyyah rule in Baghdad because of its huge role for the progress of Islam and the Ummah.

Touching on civilisation of the Ummah, His Majesty said we normally reflect on the Islamic civilisation during the Abbasiyyah era in Baghdad during the reign of two caliphs, Harun Al-Rashid and Al-Ma’mun, when knowledge related activities such as discussions, research, writing and translating were conducted by Baitul Hikmah.

His Majesty further highlighted that these activities succeeded in producing great scholars such as Al-Kindi, Al-Farabi, Al-Ghazali and many others and added that Baitul Hikmah was not only a library but also the meeting point for intellectuals and scholars.

In His Majesty’s view, the Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah is similar to Baitul Hikmah because of its wide role such as collecting, preserving, studying and spreading knowledge treasure for the progress of Islam and the Ummah in general.

The monarch said that since the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Islamic Exhibition Hall was temporarily placed at the Darul Ifta’ building in August 2001, it has received more than 100,000 visitors comprising VIPs and leaders, researchers, students and members of the public from here and abroad.

His Majesty also expressed delight that this year’s Knowledge Convention also coincided with the opening of the Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, which is in line with its role to not only showcase but also uphold more comprehensive civilisation concept.

His Majesty hoped the Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah will become a centre capable of activating the culture of knowledge in line with the exhibition functions and able to enliven the knowledge culture through academic activities.

On this note, His Majesty wished to see the commitment of higher education institutions in making a success of these academic programmes and activities.

The monarch also pointed out that the Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah has the potential to become a one-stop Islamic tourism destination centre and called on ministries and departments’ solid commitment for its progress.