| Aziz Idris |
BRUNEIAN youth leader Pengiran Haji Ahmad Fadillah Akhbar bin Pengiran Haji Sellahhuddin received the coveted Queen’s Young Leaders Award for his community service and successful leadership of a youth movement to support underprivileged families in a ceremony held at the Buckingham Palace in London on Tuesday.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, handed over the special youth leadership award to Pengiran Haji Ahmad Fadillah Akhbar, 28, co-founder of Projek Bina Ukhwah, as well as other winners from across the Commonwealth.
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex were also among those who greeted the winners of the award.
Pengiran Haji Ahmad Fadillah Akhbar is the second Bruneian to receive the prestigious Queen’s Young Leaders Award, following the achievement of Legislative Council member and founder of Green Brunei YB Khairunnisa binti Haji Ash’ari back in 2015.
Speaking on phone from London, Pengiran Haji Ahmad Fadillah said, “The award not only recognises my efforts, but also stands as a sign of hope for all inspiring young leaders in Brunei and it signifies that there is no exception for Bruneians to achieve great things in building their community and nation.
“I am greatly honoured that Projek Bina Ukhwah which aims to create a better and safe living environment for the underprivileged families in Brunei Darussalam has been recognised by Her Majesty the Queen,” he added.
Pengiran Haji Ahmad Fadillah Akhbar said that the award is just the beginning of his journey to make “more positive impacts to the community”.
It is also a huge recognition for young people in Brunei for the inspiring works they have done in Brunei, he noted.
However, he was quick to point out that receiving the award is not his journey alone. “It’s the journey of everyone who have taught me, inspired me and worked with me.”
Pengiran Haji Ahmad Fadillah Akhbar also attributes his success to the associations which he said gave him opportunity to grow such as Projek Bina Ukhwah, Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council, Universiti Brunei Darussalam Guild of Graduates and Society for Community Outreach and Training (SCOT) Education and to his close friends, mentors and inspiring young leaders that he looked up to.
During the first eight months since February 2017, Projek Bina Ukhwah raised more than BND35,000, distributed BND6,000 worth of food packs, built two houses and renovated one for families living in poor conditions.
Projek Bina Ukhwah also runs a family empowerment and economic development programme which mentors families and provides them with funding to start their own small business.
Asked to describe his feelings upon receiving the recognition from Her Majesty the Queen, he said, “Meeting Her Majesty the Queen in Buckingham Palace was a surreal experience,” adding that “Her Majesty expressed her admiration for our achievements and congratulated me while presenting the award to me.”
Apart from rubbing shoulders with UK royals, the awardees also experienced a two-week ‘Residential Programme’ from June 15-26, during which Pengiran Haji Ahmad Fadillah Akhbar visited 10 Downing Street, had a session with Prime Minister Theresa May and met with Britain’s former Prime Minister Sir John Major, Madam Baroness Scotland, the Secretary-General of Commonwealth as well as English Chef Jamie Oliver and footballer David Beckham.
Meanwhile, British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Richard Lindsay in a congratulatory message said, “This award was granted in recognition of Pengiran Haji Ahmad Fadillah Akhbar’s work in supporting underprivileged families in Brunei and helping their economic empowerment through his organisation Projek Bina Ukhwah. He was joined by young leaders from across the Commonwealth, all of whom provide inspirational examples to others.” The Queen’s Young Leaders Programme was established by the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, in partnership with Comic Relief, the Royal Commonwealth Society and the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Continuing Education, in honour of Her Majesty the Queen’s lifetime of service to the Commonwealth.
Launched by Their Royal Highnesses the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry on July 9, 2014 on behalf of the Queen, the Queen’s Young Leaders Award is for discovering, celebrating and supporting exceptional young people aged between 18–29 from every Commonwealth nation, who are leading the way in transforming their own lives and the lives of those around them.