Adib Noor
Some 3,900 participants are set to take part in the 39th National Day celebration at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien in the capital.
This was said by Permanent Secretary (Culture) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Pengiran Haji Mohd Hasnan bin Pengiran Haji Ali Hassan as Co-Secretary of the Executive Committee of the 39th National Day celebration during a press conference at Citra Budaya Hall of the MCYS yesterday.
The co-secretary said that 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 grace several events including the Doa Kesyukuran ceremony, mass Maghrib and Isyak prayers, the recitation of Surah Yaasiin and Doa Kesyukuran at Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque and the Grand Assembly and Parade at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.
The permanent secretary said the participants in the celebration will comprise heads of parade, national security agencies, Bestari community, public and private sectors and civil movements.
This year’s performance, titled ‘Warisan Budaya: Jati Diri Bangsa’, will showcase traditional and patriotic songs performed by 2,839 participants and 120 traditional musicians of various ages.
The Doa Kesyukuran ceremony, mass Maghrib and Isyak prayers as well as Surah Yaasiin recitation and Doa Kesyukuran will be held on February 22 at 5.45pm with Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque as the focal point in the Brunei-Muara District.
Focal points in other districts will be Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Pekan Tutong, Mohammad Jamalul Alam Mosque in Kuala Belait and Utama Mohammad Salleh Mosque in Temburong.
The standard operating procedures for the ceremony is similar to Friday prayers, such as entry only for green or yellow BruHealth codes; and ablution at home before going to the mosques.
Meanwhile, the wearing of face masks and bringing own prayer mats are optional. Attendees of the event at Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque are also required to perform the antigen rapid test and be fully-vaccinated.
The permanent secretary said this year’s celebration remains the same as last year’s. ‘Menjayakan Wawasan Negara’ is still relevant as the Sultanate is aiming to realise Brunei Vision 2035. Pengiran Haji Mohd Hasnan said the celebration will emphasise on cultural heritage as the nation’s identity, which he explained remains relevant to the development of the country and the nation.
This year’s celebration logo is based on a collection of traditional designs and is shaped like an utap, a symbol of a mature nation’s resilience.
White unites the design of this logo, symbolising the purity of Bruneians who prioritise the Malay language as the only tool of unity that is most effective.
Green symbolises Islam as a religion that guarantees the safety, well-being and interests of all people and residents and yellow symbolises the royal institution that will remain as a national heritage that has existed for centuries.
This year’s logo is the work of Pengiran Muhammad Fakhrullah bin Pengiran Haji Hamdillah, winner of the Competition to Create a Logo for the 39th Anniversary of Brunei Darussalam’s National Day, Year 2023, who was awarded during the press conference.
The permanent secretary called on Brunei citizens and residents to celebrate together by hoisting the national flag at their residences, offices and businesses as well as putting up decorative lights until February 25.
The press conference concluded with the handover of national day posters to representatives of ministries.
