| Hakim Hayat |
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 joined hundreds of congregants yesterday evening, at the Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, in a thanksgiving prayer ceremony to mark the monarch’s 71st birthday.
Also in attendance were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel.
Upon arrival, His Majesty was greeted by members of the National Executive Committee of His Majesty’s 71st birthday celebrations.
Members of the public also took the opportunity to greet the monarch and other members of the royal entourage upon their arrival at the mosque.
The royal entourage later joined congregants in performing mass Maghrib prayer, led by YB Pehin Datu Imam Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Hamid bin Bakal, which was followed by a Sunnat Hajat prayer.
The ceremony continued with the recitations of the Surah Yaasiin and a Tahlil for the late parents of His Majesty, led by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar, the Chief Syar’ie Judge.
The thanksgiving prayer was read by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti, followed by mass Isyak prayer.
Thanksgiving prayers were also held simultaneously in main mosques in all four districts last night.
Meanwhile, Brunei will embark on the 71st birthday celebrations of His Majesty today, starting with the ceremonial birthday parade in the morning, followed by the audience and investiture ceremony, together with the royal banquet in the evening, at the Istana Nurul Iman.
There will be several supervised traffic control and road closures near the capital, beginning from 6am, until the end of the ceremonial birthday parade at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.
Today also marks the start of the ‘gerai perayaan’, or festive stalls, until July 31, with nightly performances in all of the designated venues.
The festive stalls are located at the vacant car park opposite the Royal Regalia Building in Brunei-Muara; the Tudung Saji Market in Belait; the vacant car park opposite the Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital in Tutong; and the Taman Perayaan in Pekan Bangar, Temburong.