Eid Celebrations in Brunei: 96,550 Visitors to Nurul Iman Palace


His Majesty The Sultan of Brunei and the Her Majesty with members of the Royal Family greeted visitors to Nurul Iman Palace for the three days 'open house' for Eid Celebrations at the Palace

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Istana Nurul Iman recorded ninety six thousand five hundred and fifty five visitors during its three-day run for the Aidilfitri ‘Open House’ that came to a conclusion yesterday. The people of the Sultanate as well as from neighbouring countries seized the opportunity to meet and greet His Majesty the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mui’zzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and the Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha and members of the Royal Family.

During the inaugural Open Palace, Istana Nurul Iman registered a total of thirty six thousand seven hundred and ten visitors. The second day however shown a slight decrease in attendance with thirty five thousand nine hundred and twenty visitors came to the Open Palace. The third and final day also marks the steady decline in a number of visitors; with only twenty three thousand five hundred fifty-five well-wishers visited the Istana.

The morning session saw a total of twelve thousand eight hundred and fifty five well-wishers from all walks of life visited Istana Nurul Iman for the special Aidilfitri audience and Greetings ceremony to meet and greet the Monarch and Her Majesty Raja Isteri and members of the Royal Family.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to receive in audience the male well-wishers. Also present were His Majesty's princes and brother, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malek, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Mateen and His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Wakeel as well as other members of the Royal Household.

Visitors who came to the Istana in the morning included senior citizens, converts from throughout the country, private sector employees, special needs persons, youths and children. People from all walk-of-life, the young and old, the poor and the rich were at the Istana to meet Their Majesties in person and convey festive greetings.Istana Nurul Iman is synonym with Hari Raya not just among the people of Brunei, but also among the expatriate community working here and the international tourists who are in the country during the celebrations.

This is the uniqueness of Brunei Darussalam in celebrating the Aidilfitri. The festivities in the Abode of Peace reflect a peaceful and prosperous nation, ruled by a loving, caring and just Monarch. The festivities also continue to adhere to the country's pure customs, traditions and values.

All the well wishers had the opportunity to meet and greet the Monarch in person, in a cordial and harmonious atmosphere. The cordiality between the ruler and the people clearly showed a strong bond, especially when the rakyat and residents thronged into the Istana only for the opportunity to greet His Majesty and convey Hari Raya greetings.

At another part of the Istana, Her Majesty the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha consented to receive in audience the female well-wishers. With Her Majesty were Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab-Rahaman, Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul 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. Also present were Their Majesties grandchildren.Istana Nurul Iman was opened for three days in a row to give the public the opportunity to convey Hari Raya greetings to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty the Raja Isteri as well as other members of the Royal family.

Visiting Istana Nurul Iman for the audience and the Junjung Ziarah or greetings to His Majesty and Her Majesty the Raja Isteri during the Aidilfitri festivities is a long existing tradition that has cemented the bond of love between the ruler and the people.

The opportunity to interact in a close and cordial manner with His Majesty and the Royal Household was a great gift for the country's rakyat and residents whose great blessings from Allah the Almighty is a loving, caring and concerned Monarch who gives top priority to the people's interests, well-being and prosperity.

Meanwhile in the afternoon, eleven thousand and seventy well-wishers visited Istana Nurul Iman for the audience and junjung ziarah in conjunction with Aidilfitri, conveying their greetings to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty the Raja Isteri and members of the Royal Family.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to receive in audience and the junjung ziarah from the male well-wishers. Also present were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Mateen and His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Wakeel and other members of the Royal Family.

The visit to Istana Nurul Iman is something much waited for by people in Brunei Darussalam, especially the opportunity to convey Hari Raya Aidilfitri greetings to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and her Majesty the Raja Isteri and members of the Royal Household. The well-wishers were not multi-racial but also from different age groups, from children to senior citizens, and not forgetting foreign tourists.

Receiving guests at the Istana was evidence of His Majesty's love and concern for the people and the people's love for their Monarch. Such an encounter would become a lasting beautiful memory for all the visitors.

At another part of Istana Nurul Iman, female well-wishers also had the opportunity to convey Hari Raya greetings to Her Majesty the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha. Also present were Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah; Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah; Yang amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Norhayati; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul 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 Khalthum Al-Islam. Also in attendance were Their Majesties grandchildren.

The joy and excitement of Hari Raya celebration was felt not only by the people of this oil-rich Sultanate and residents, but also by well-wishers from abroad. Although the Istana was only opened for three days, the presence of the visitors in such large numbers reflected the atmosphere. The story about the happiness and excitement of the Monarch and people sharing Hari Raya joy is a reality rarely seen in other countries. 

©BRUDIRECT.COM

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