Lyna Mohamad
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 hosted a special Hari Raya gathering for VIP guests to mark the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri on Monday.
A spectacle to behold, the event was filled with a flurry of colours, from not only those in attendance, but the decor of flowers, shining lights, a replica of a royal cannon along with a sumptuous meal that filled the Banquet Hall of Istana Nurul Iman.
The monarch was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah binti Dato Haji Nasir; and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Norhayati binti Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman.
Also gracing the occasion were 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, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam and other members of the royal family.
The guests, comprising state dignitaries, Cabinet ministers, foreign diplomats and senior government officials donned in formal and traditional attire of their countries, shared light conversations and mingled with the royal family, conveying wishes and festive greetings.
Among those at the gathering was Japanese Ambassador-Designate to Brunei Darussalam Maeda Toru. He said he experienced similar festivities in other countries, like Malaysia and Indonesia, but every country has different tradition and culture.
He also shared that Brunei is a very peaceful society with hospitable people.
“Japanese are reserved and a bit shy and polite. They are nice to other people and respect the elderly, a trait similar to Bruneian people, making my stay quite comfortable.
“Selamat Hari Raya to Their Majesties and other members of the royal family. I am very happy to serve this country with His Majesty’s Government. I would like to continue to maintain the excellent ties between the two countries,” he added.
Meanwhile, Australian High Commissioner-Designate to Brunei Darussalam Luke Lazarus Arnold expressed gratitude to be able to join the coveted event.
“It is a very generous invitation from His Majesty and the royal family, as well as an honour for the Diplomatic Corps to be part of. It shows that His Majesty and the royal family place a great value on international relations by inviting all ambassadors and designates in Brunei to cultivate good ties.”
He wished Their Majesties and other royal family members as well as the people of Brunei a ‘Selamat Hari Raya’ and may they be blessed with the Syawal blessings and success in the months ahead.
French Ambassador-Designate to Brunei Darussalam Bernard Regnauld-Fabre said Brunei and France have a very warm and close bilateral relationship, evident from his meetings with different institutions in the country.
“I am very thankful to be invited – along with diplomatic colleagues – to Istana Nurul Iman for this ceremony. It is a very privileged moment for a diplomat to share the joyous occasion. I was touched by the depths of the charity and the solidarity shown during the months of Ramadhan,” the envoy said.
Extending his Raya greetings to Their Majesties, he said he will have the opportunity to do it personally when he presents his credentials to the monarch in the near future.
Meanwhile, Filipino Ambassador-Designate to Brunei Darussalam Marian Jocelyn R-Tirol Ignacio said, “I am greatly honoured to be here today. Hari Raya is one of the most beautiful and a meaningful occasion on the Islamic calendar and for us to be able to extend our best wishes. Eid Mubarak to Their Majesties.“
She said she feels welcomed in the country and is grateful for the warmth and hospitality shown by the locals.
She noted various similarities between the Philippines and the Sultanate, and is eager to continue to strengthen the warm relations between the two countries. “I wish to extend my warmest greetings to Their Majesties and the royal family as well as the people of Brunei on the occasion of this wonderful celebration. Eid Mubarak and ‘Selamat Hari Raya!’ May the good friendship and the goodwill between two peoples continue to flourish and find great meaning during this wonderful occasion”.
