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 on Sunday attended a Get-Together with citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam who are in the United Kingdom and Ireland, which was held at the Royal Lancaster hotel, London.
Also present at the Ceremony were members of the royal family.
Upon arrival, Their Majesties were greeted by High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to the United Kingdom and Ireland First Admiral (Rtd) Pengiran Dato Seri Pahlawan Norazmi bin Pengiran Haji Muhammad, and spouse, Pengiran Datin Noralam bin Pengiran Haji Kahar, as well as President of the Brunei Students’ Union in the United Kingdom and Ireland Awang Raiyan Muqri bin Dr Saiful Rizal, and Vice-President Dayang Nur Zaidati Qadrina binti Perdi.
Their Majesties then signed commemorative parchments and attended a High Tea Reception with student representatives. Prior to the Get-Together Ceremony, Their Majesties participated in a group photo session with the President and Vice President of the Brunei Students’ Union and other student representatives.
Earlier, the event began with the national anthem of Brunei Darussalam, followed by the recitation of verses from the Al-Qur’an by Awang Muhammad Nabil Syami bin Norman from the University of the Highlands and Islands, Scotland, with the translation of the verses read by Awang Muhammad Meerza Helmi bin Uzapuspa from Imperial College London.
Doa Selamat was recited by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned.
The President of the Brunei Students Union (pic left) in a welcoming address, expressed appreciation to His Majesty’s Government for the opportunities, facilities, support, as well as assistance rendered to students pursuing their studies in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The President also reiterated the students’ determination and dedication towards supporting the country’s aspirations to achieve Wawasan 2035.
Amongst the memorable moments for about 1,300 citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam who attended the ceremony was the opportunity to meet Their Majesties.
At the end of Ceremony, His Majesty received a pesambah, designed by a Brunei student, namely a set of necktie made from a weave of Brunei Tenunan and Scottish Kilt to symbolise the close relations between Brunei Darussalam and the United Kingdom and Ireland as well as a copy of the book ‘Raja Pragmatik, Belia Dinamik’ (‘Pragmatic King, Dynamic Youth’). Meanwhile, Her Majesty received a set of brooch and a purse, called ‘Sentuhan Warisan Sejagat’, designed by two Bruneian students with a modern touch of Brunei and United Kingdom’s cultural motive.
The designer for the neck tie was Awang Wan Muhammad Hafiz bin Wan Habib, from the University of South Wales, while Awang Muhammad Fadzli bin Adiputra from University College London, and Awang Mohammad Safwan ‘Arif bin Suhara Fadzali from Queen Mary University, London designed the set of brooch and purse.
The Ceremony also featured a nasyid performance titled ‘Hikmah Hijrah’ by Brunei Students in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
