Some 750 students representing 12 local higher learning institutions and youth volunteers attended the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration yesterday.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof in his welcoming address said the celebration also featured a number of youth who have received national, regional and international awards in voluntary and community activities.
The minister, who is also the Chairman of Yayasan Board of Directors, added that the involvement of these youth in voluntary and community programmes have proven to possess spiritual and emotional intelligence, enabling them to have a strong sense of self discipline as well as holding the values and morale of responsible Bruneians regarded as heirs of the nation, who can collectively address social development issues.
The minister also said educated students are valuable assets to the country, poised to become future leaders to drive progress in religion and development.
The theme for this year’s celebration, ‘Membudayakan Belia Pemedulian dan Prihatin’, aimed to nurture, instil and empower volunteerism and community activities among the youth, the minister added. This year was the 20th edition of Yayasan Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration since it was first inaugurated in 2003. – Rokiah Mahmud
