Kem ibadah returns for the 14th time

WINDERMERE, UNITED KINGDOM, FRIDAY, 03/03/2023 – On Friday, March 3rd, 2023, Kem Ibadah made its 14th annual appearance, with the theme "Deen Over Dunya." Organized by the Brunei Religious Officers Student Association (BruROSA), this weekend getaway took place over two days and two nights at YHA Windermere in Cumbria. A group of 43 students, including 20 participants and 23 committee members, travelled from various locations throughout the United Kingdom and Eire to attend. 

​The evening of day 1 began with an introduction of the camp commandment and chairperson for both the male and female attendees followed by a short explanation about housekeeping rule. For the first ice-breaking activity, participants had to remember each persons' name on the opposing team to score a point. It was a very chaotic and loud night as participants struggled, laughed and screamed on top of their lungs to say the other person's name first. Without taking a break, they moved onto the next activity which was coming up with a group cheer and a flag design based on any water bottle brand sold in Brunei Darussalam. Each group presented their work and explained their design choices. Day 1 ended with a scrumptious meal that was cooked and prepared by the logistics team, they were truly talented in cooking.

It was half past three in the morning and a sudden knock was heard in all rooms. People were grunting but eventually was woken up by the sound of alarm. One by one, people gathered in the common area to pray Tahajjud and Fajr, and to reflect on Surah Al-Mulk. One of the standout aspects of this camp was the thoughtful approach of the camp commandment. They took the time to delve into the virtues of practices like Tahajjud and Nafl prayer, aiming to instill a deeper understanding of the beauty within Islam. It's truly remarkable to witness such dedication in fostering a genuine appreciation for our faith. The dedication in teaching and emphasizing the virtues demonstrates a genuine commitment to helping participants deepen their understanding and appreciation of Islam. This level of care and effort is commendable and adds a special dimension to the camp experience.

The story continues to the second day of Kem Ibadah as participants head outside to the wide slanted field to play Captain’s Ball for the male, where the assigned groups compete against each other for the first place. While the female participants played a different activity called Queen’s Dodgeball. Activities named above would require great teamwork and coordination. With the arrival of the guest of honor, participants headed back inside and gathered around in the common area. Awang Md Aqiel Hidayat bin Hj Zulfa Hidayat led the recitation of Surah Hadid from verses 20 to 24, while Awang Muhammad Al-Danish bin Muhammad Al-Qusyairi read the tafsir. This marked the formal beginning of Kem Ibadah. Continuing right after that is the opening speech from BruROSA’s and BSU’s President. Followed by a speech from the guest of honor, UPP. While the recitation of doa was led by Fikri, the camp commandment, to ensure the smoothness and safety throughout the event.  

After Kem Ibadah officially started, the event went on as planned throughout the whole day. One memorable activity during the day was a talk by Ustaz Fahmi and Ustazah Widad on ‘Keeping your Deen in Check’. Participants were subjected to activities one after another, which obviously would lead to fatigue and burnout. But this sharing session in particular, healed and rejuvenated the participants. The topic addressed a common concern among participants, as many individuals face challenges in maintaining their faith while juggling the demands of daily life. It resonated deeply with their own experiences. Overall, the discussion on 'Keeping your Deen in Check' undoubtedly left participants with a sense of understanding, support, and practical tools to lead a more balanced and meaningful religious life.

The night of day 2 was filled with self-reflection and ​feedback session. Sketsa was performed by the participants as they discussed throughout the whole of day 2 since the briefing early in the morning​. After that session, a tear-jerker session was conducted by Yadiy and Shahirah. ​Thus, the day ended with a reminder to do good to our parents for the sake of Allah​ and debriefing on what to expect the morning of day 3.

The last day of the camp kicked off with the Qiyamullail activity, where both committee members and participants came together to perform Tasbih and Tahajjud prayer. The morning session concluded with the Fajr prayer, followed by the kuliah Subuh, which centered on the topic ‘Loving our Prophet’ as Haziq shared his islamic journey on loving Prophet Muhammad SAW. 

​​The two-day, two-night camp ended with a closing ceremony, during which the camp commandants, Fikri Ali from University of Edinburgh, and Shahirah Bakar also from the University of Edinburgh, delivered their closing remarks and announced the best groups and participants for Kem Ibadah 14 for male and female. 

​The honours bestowed upon the Kem Ibadah 14 contestants were highly merited. Team BIRU was named the Best Male Team in the competition, demonstrating excellent coordination and determination. Their teamwork and dedication to the camp's activities were genuinely admirable. On the female side, Team SPA won the title of Best Female Group. Their cohesiveness, mutual support, and exceptional performance in many activities distinguished them as a standout group among the participants.

Recognizing individual excellence, the award for Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the male category went to Awang Muhammad Al-Danish bin Muhammad Al-Qusyairi. His remarkable contributions, leadership, and enthusiasm throughout the camp were truly exemplary. Whereas in the female category, the honor of Best MVP was bestowed upon Dk Irdina Hannani binti Pg Md Hasnan. Both participants consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, initiative, and a positive influence on their fellow attendees.

​​Following the prize presentation ceremony, the event wrapped up with a video exhibit featuring highlights of Kem Ibadah 14, as well as a group photo-taking session.​ We would like to thank @upp.uk once again for sponsoring this event and those who were involved in making this event successful.