BERAKAS GARRISON, Wednesday, 23 April 2025 – The Religious Directorate of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (JAMA'AT ABDB) held a Roundtable Discussion with Imam Support Chaplain, Flight Lieutenant Abdul Kader, in conjunction with his working visit to Brunei Darussalam in support of ANZAC Day 2025.
The session brought together military and civilian officers from various units under the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, including the Royal Brunei Land Force, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force, Judge Advocate General's Office, Directorate of Intelligence, Directorate of Defence Policy, and the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (SHHIBDS). Also in attendance were representatives from the Counselling and Religious Understanding Unit, Islamic Da'wah Centre, Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the Kolej Universiti Perguruan Seri Begawan (KUPU SB).
In his opening remarks, the Acting Director of JAMA'AT ABDB stated:
“This session is not merely a discussion on women empowerment from a religious perspective alone, but a collaborative effort to understand this issue comprehensively, encompassing religious, policy, strategic, social development, and community well-being dimensions."
With the theme “Women Empowerment", the session focused on the roles of women in leadership, spirituality, and military service. Imam Abdul Kader emphasized that women's empowerment in Islam is a right granted by Allah, not a privilege bestowed by men. He further added that spiritual strength and knowledge are the foundations of justice and progress, and that religious and educated women will nurture a strong and blessed society and nation.
Participants shared various experiences and challenges faced by women in the military, including leadership in uniformed services, balancing career and family life, and the importance of institutional support for women's mental and spiritual development in service. The session also fostered constructive and meaningful two-way dialogue.
JAMA'AT ABDB views programme like this as important platform to raise awareness, understanding, and recognition of the diverse roles of women in the armed forces, while also strengthening cooperation and exchange of perspectives with religious representatives from foreign militaries, through a progressive, inclusive, and Islamically grounded approach to religious engagement
Imam Support Chaplain (Flight Lieutenant) Abdul
Kader engaging in a discussion with the members of JAMA’AT ABDB and
representatives from various units under the Ministry of Defence and invited
representatives from other ministries and academic institution.
Participants from various defence and government agencies engaging in meaningful dialogue during the roundtable discussion.
SESI PERBINCANGAN MEJA BULAT BERSAMA IMAM SUPPORT CHAPLAIN (FLIGHT LIEUTENANT) ABDUL KADER BERTAJUK “WOMEN EMPOWERMENT"
BERAKAS GARISON, Rabu 23 April 2025 – Jabatanarah Agama Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (JAMA'AT ABDB) telah mengadakan Sesi Perbincangan Meja Bulat bersama Imam Support Chaplain, Flight Lieutenant Abdul Kader, sempena lawatan kerja beliau ke Brunei Darussalam bersempena ANZAC Day 2025.
Sesi ini telah menghimpunkan pegawai-pegawai dan anggota awam dan tentera dari pelbagai unit di bawah Kementerian Pertahanan dan Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei iaitu Tentera Darat Diraja Brunei, Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei, Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei, Pejabat Perundangan Tentera, Jabatanarah Perisikan, Jabatanarah Dasar Pertahanan, Institut Pengajian Pertahanan dan Strategik Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Turut hadir wakil-wakil daripada Unit Kaunseling dan Kefahaman Agama, Pusat Da'wah Islamiah, Kementerian Hal Ehwal Ugama, dan Kolej Universiti Perguruan Seri Begawan (KUPU SB).
Dalam ucapan alu-aluan pembukaan, Pemangku Pengarah JAMA'AT ABDB menyatakan,
“Sesi ini bukan hanya sekadar membincangkan isu pemerkasaan wanita dari sudut agama semata-mata, tetapi lebih luas lagi sebagai usaha kolaboratif untuk memahami isu ini secara menyeluruh yang merangkumi aspek agama, dasar, strategi, pembangunan sosial dan kesejahteraan masyarakat."
Bertemakan “Women Empowerment", sesi ini membincangkan peranan wanita dalam kepimpinan, kerohanian dan perkhidmatan ketenteraan. Imam Abdul Kader menekankan bahawa pemerkasaan wanita dalam Islam adalah hak yang dikurniakan oleh Allah, bukan keistimewaan yang diberi oleh manusia. Tambah beliau, kekuatan spiritual dan ilmu pengetahuan adalah asas kepada keadilan dan kemajuan wanita, dan wanita yang beragama dan berilmu akan melahirkan masyarakat serta negara yang kuat dan diberkati.
Para peserta turut berkongsi pelbagai pengalaman dan cabaran wanita dalam ketenteraan, termasuk kepimpinan dalam organisasi beruniform, keseimbangan kerjaya dan keluarga, serta kepentingan sokongan institusi terhadap pembangunan mental dan rohani wanita dalam perkhidmatan. Sesi ini juga mencetuskan dialog dua hala yang konstruktif dan membina.
JAMA'AT ABDB menyifatkan program seperti ini sebagai platform penting bagi meningkatkan kesedaran, kefahaman, dan pengiktirafan terhadap peranan pelbagai wanita dalam angkatan tentera, serta sebagai langkah untuk memperkukuh kerjasama dan pertukaran pandangan dengan wakil institusi keagamaan tentera dari luar negara melalui pendekatan dakwah yang progresif, inklusif dan berteraskan nilai-nilai Islam.
