Bandar Seri Begawan – Brunei has proposed that the Religious Affairs Ministers of neighbours Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore (Mabims) reach an agreement on mutual recognition of each of their halal certification and logo.
The proposal, based on Mabims’ strategic viewpoints, is one out of the 11 proposals and working papers to be discussed at the 35th Senior Officers Meeting (SOM) today.
This was disclosed by Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary Hj Ismail Hj Abd Manap in a press conference for the Mabims scholars’ muzakarah (discussion) session for the 14th informal Mabims meeting yesterday.
However, no further details of the proposal were disclosed.
The proposal and nine other working papers will be presented today and tomorrow by representatives from the four Mabims member countries.
Mabims will also launch its virtual office for the Mabims secretariat at The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Jerudong.
The virtual office will facilitate the coordination of programming and activities among the member countries, said the acting deputy permanent secretary.
Its establishment was agreed on at the last Mabims special meeting in Malaysia.
The launch is scheduled for Saturday morning, October 16, followed by the 14th informal Mabims meeting in the afternoon.
The ministers in charge of religious affairs of the four countries are expected to attend.
Considered the highlight of the Mabims meeting, the high profile event will endorse programmes and projects discussed and agreed upon at the 35th SOM being held today and tomorrow.
The two-week affair was enlivened with various programmes and activities such as Mabims Youth Bus project. A total of 32 youths from Mabims member countries, made up of multiple backgrounds are travelling from Pontianak, Indonesia and Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia before returning to Brunei today.
A Mabims da’wah management seminar was also held at the Islamic Da’wah Centre on October 6.
On Thursday, a tilawah (recital) Al-Quran competition for children under 12 years old will be held at Seri Begawan Religious Teaching University College. Eight children -two each from the member countries – will be competing.
The results will be announced on Saturday. — Courtesy of Brunei Times
