Adib Noor
The Ministry of Home Affairs held a Ratib Al-Attas recitation and Doa Kesyukuran ceremony to commemorate the 52nd anniversary for the renaming of Bandar Brunei to Bandar Seri Begawan at the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque in the capital yesterday.
Permanent secretaries and deputy permanent secretaries at the MoHA, heads of departments, MoHA officers, and mukim penghulus in the Bandar Seri Begawan area were also present at the ceremony.
The recitation of Ratib Al-Attas was led by Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque Officer Mohammad Hasnal bin Haji Mohammad while Doa Kesyukuran was led by Senior Mosque Affairs Officer Zulkifli bin Haji Murat.
Bandar Brunei changed its name to Bandar Seri Begawan on October 4, 1970.
In commemoration of the services of Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam in advancing and modernising Brunei Darussalam, the celebration to commemorate the capital’s renaming is conducted every October 4.
The Bandar Seri Begawan Municipality has been expanded from 1,287 hectares to 10,036.24 hectares since August 1, 2007, with the consent of 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.
It was officially announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs on July 19, 2007.
The initiative was also to expand efforts to strengthen Islam in Bandar Seri Begawan with good and beautiful image.
The capital city has seen rapid development over the years, in infrastructure, communications, religion, education, economy, welfare, business, security and social.
Citizens and residents should also have crucial roles in maintaining the security, cleanliness and beauty of the capital city, to further enhance its status as one of the unique tourist destinations, while also upholding its Bruneian identity.
