| Rokiah Mahmud & Lyna Mohamad |
THE three-day Istana Nurul Iman open house saw a total of 110,828 people descend to the palace to meet and greet 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, Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam and members of the royal family.
On the final day of the event, a total of 32,294 visitors – 17,775 in the morning session and 14,519 in the afternoon session – turned up to offer Hari Raya greetings to Their Majesties and other members of the royal family.
Joining His Majesty to receive the male well-wishers at the Baitur Rahmah Hall 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; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah; and other members of the royal family.
Meanwhile, at another section of Baitur Rahmah Hall, Her Majesty received the female visitors, accompanied by Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman; Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah; Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah binti Dato Haji Nasir; 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 Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam.
In the afternoon session, joining His Majesty in receiving the male well-wishers were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah and other members of the royal family.
While at the female section, Her Majesty was accompanied by Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah; Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah; Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Norhayati binti Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul 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 Kalthum Al-Islam.
Among the well-wishers included senior citizens, Muslim converts from across the country, private sector employees, special needs individuals, youth and children. They greeted Their Majesties and members of the royal family in person and conveyed Hari Raya greetings.
Brunei Darussalam is well-known for the annual Istana open house tradition which is unique to the country where the public is given the opportunity to visit the palace within the span of three days to meet the royal family members to personally wish them Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
The Istana open house tradition highlights His Majesty’s love and concern for the people and the people’s love for their monarch. For visitors, such a face-to-face meeting is a fabulous experience, leaving indelible memories in their minds.