Lyna Mohamad
The Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja ceremony between Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Suami Abdullah Nabil Mahmoud Al-Hashimi yesterday marked the culmination of the spectacular, over a week-long royal wedding tradition, illuminating Brunei Darussalam’s intricate and well-preserved Malay and royal traditions.
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 graced the event at Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana, Istana Nurul Iman.
Also present were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince, 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 Mateen; 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; 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 in attendance were Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Muta-Wakkilah Hayatul 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 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.
Datin Paduka Seri Dayang Hajah Mariam binti Haji Abdul Aziz and the groom’s parents, Nabil Mahmoud Abdulkadir Al-Hashimi and Hana Mohamed Yonis, also attended.
His Highness Tunku Idris Iskandar Ismail Abdul Rahman ibni Sultan Ibrahim, the Tunku Temenggong of Johor, attended as His Majesty’s guest.
Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah entered the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana escorted by Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna.
Forty Awang-Awang carrying sinipit led the way, followed by Juru Bini Dayang Hajah Rokiah and two Hulubalang, Hulubalang Diraja carrying pemuras and karga, and Hulubalang Asgar carrying kelasak and kampilan.
The Dayang-Dayang carried the dian tunggal ahead of the bride, who was accompanied by Pehin Manteri Bini Datin Paduka Dayang Hajah Aminah and Pehin Jawatan Bini Datin Paduka Dayang Hajah Siti, followed by the Princesses Regalia such as payung, kaskol and kain pendukungan. They were followed by Pengangun Pengantin Diraja and the wives of state dignitaries.
Dayang-Dayang carried other regalia items including the kaskol langguai, while seven Pahawai carried puan, tarian, kabok and panastan, kiap, chupu and pesigupan.
Also accompanying the delegation were the dian enam belas carried by 16 Dayang-Dayang, 16 pedang and perisai, 16 tumbak bendarangan and eight kabok and panastan.
Meanwhile, bunga rampai was sprinkled on Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Suami Abdullah Nabil Mahmoud Al-Hashimi upon his arrival at the Istana Nurul Iman, following which the act of pouring water on the groom’s feet was observed. The groom then entered the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana accompanied by regalia carriers.
The groom – led by Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Rahim bin Pengiran Indera Mahkota Pengiran Anak (Dr) Kemaludin Al-Haj – was accompanied by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar.
Twelve sinipit carriers led the way, followed by four dian bunga, dian tunggal carried by Awang-Awang, accompanied by Kanak-Kanak Pahawai Lelaki carrying a kiap, and others carrying pasigupan.
Also accompanying the groom were Pehin Penyurat Awang Maidin and Pehin Penyurat Haji Awang Osman, designated Pengiring-Pengiring and others carrying the regalia.
State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned then escorted the groom down the aisle to the pelamin.
In accordance with Muslim customs, His Majesty then took the groom’s right hand, placing it gently on the bride’s head, signifying the official union of the royal couple.
The Selawat was uttered as a 17-gun salute resounded, following which the State Mufti recited the Doa Selamat.
His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen accompanied the royal couple as they left Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana, following which His Majesty consented to the closing of the ceremony.
