The second and final day of the Junjung Ziarah ceremony in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri 1446 Hijrah drew even larger crowds, as thousands of visitors – both from within Brunei and abroad – flocked to the palace yesterday for the royal family’s much-anticipated Hari Raya meet-and-greet.
The last day of the ceremony saw a total of 25,721 visitors with 17,266 in the morning session and 8,455 in the afternoon session.
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 and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam, attended the Junjung Ziarah ceremony held at the Baitur Rahmah, Istana Nurul Iman.
Accompanying His Majesty, in receiving the male visitors at Baitur Rahmah, were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah and other members of the royal family.
Meanwhile, in another section of the palace, accompanying Her Majesty in receiving the female visitors were Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess ‘Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah binti Dato Haji Nasir, Their Majesties’ grandchildren and other members of the royal family.
The Junjung Ziarah ceremony at Istana Nurul Iman, which reopened to the public for two days on the second and third day of Hari Raya, reflects the care, warmth and sincerity of Their Majesties in celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri together with the public this year. The ceremony presents the highly anticipated moment for visitors, both domestic and international, especially following the postponement of the ceremony due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic a few years ago.
The ceremony also provided an excellent opportunity for all levels of society to share the joy and excitement of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, to meet and greet as well as convey Hari Raya Aidilfitri greetings to Their Majesties. – Fadley Faisal
