| Lyna Mohamad |
HER Royal Highness Princess ‘Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah yesterday officiated the opening of the Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam (Pusat Ehsan) Charity Bazaar.
Her Royal Highness was welcomed by Kuwait Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Dr Fahad Mashary Al-Thafiri, Pusat Ehsan Senior Trustee Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Alimin bin Haji Abdul Wahab, Pusat Ehsan Executive Trustee Pengiran Datin Hajah Noraini binti Pengiran Dipa Negara Laila Diraja Pengiran Haji Abdul Momin and Pusat Ehsan Board of Trustee (Policy and Planning) Haji Ahmad bin Haji Abdul Rahman.
The opening proceeded with a Doa Selamat and welcoming remarks by the Kuwaiti Ambassador who noted that the event marks a wonderful opportunity for Pusat Ehsan to collaborate with the diplomatic corps to bring them together for a common cause of charity.
Such events, added the ambassador, is a part of their public diplomacy efforts, which is an integral part of being members of the diplomatic community.
The opening also coincided with two major events of both countries – marking the Golden Jubilee Celebration of 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’s Accession to the Throne, and the third anniversary of naming His Highness the Emir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as a ‘Humanitarian Leader’ and Kuwait as ‘Centre of Humanitarian Works’ by the United Nations.
The envoy said during the almost four years of posting in the country, he has seen many similarities and common features between the two countries, including among others the constant engagement on humanitarian work and related activities aiming to reduce the impact of natural disasters and wars as well as helping the needy while both countries have a record in providing humanitarian assistance.
“This event also comes in line with His Majesty’s call to promote social solidarity through social activities aimed at helping the needy and supporting charity societies that provide care to orphans and people with special needs.”
The ambassador said Pusat Ehsan has an outstanding presence in charitable and humanitarian activities and, in the context of the embassy’s interest in this kind of activities and the vital role of the organisation, extended invitation to Her Royal Highness Princess ‘Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah and Pusat Ehsan officials to visit Kuwait to share expertise and discuss with its Kuwaiti counterparts the prospect of joint cooperation in charity and humanitarian work.
He expressed hope that through the charity event, they can actually make a difference by providing assistance to Pusat Ehsan not just in terms of material assistance but also creating awareness on its cause and to make it possible for the public to give a little of themselves and be part of this good cause.
Following the welcoming remarks, Her Royal Highness along with the Kuwait Ambassador officially launched the charity bazaar after which Her Royal Highness consented to receive donations from various establishments on behalf of Pusat Ehsan.
Her Royal Highness toured the exhibitions at the main building as well as the participating booth.
Apart from raising funds for the centre, which is needed to finance the services and programmes to educate, train, assist care and rehabilitation services for people with special needs, the event also serves to support the Kuwait Embassy’s initiative in fundraising for Pusat Ehsan special needs students.
The charity bazaar also serves to instil awareness and involvement of other diplomatic missions in helping people with special needs.
Several other diplomatic community are also participating in support of the charity bazaar namely the Singapore High Commission, British High Commission, and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.
Other vendors are Li Gong Restaurant, BISTARI, Politeknik Brunei, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jerudong International School, Laksamana College of Business, Lions Club, YMRM, Carsmart, Parfum Garden, Kaban Kayu, RejabSyawal, Iqbal’s Bistro, GaleriHijau, KFC, and Funblocks.
The charity bazaar is also in partnership with Cityneon Displays & Construction Sdn Bhd, with Borneo Bulletin and Media Permata as its media supporters.
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