| Aziz Idris |
THE Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Brunei Darussalam hosted a reception to mark the 48th National Day of the Sultanate of Oman on Thursday night.
Representing the Government 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 was Minister of Education Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sulaiman as the guest of honour.
The reception began with the national anthems of both countries performed by students from Hassanal Bolkiah Arabic Boys Arabic Secondary School followed by the recitation of verses from Al-Quran.
Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Brunei Darussalam Sheikh Ahmed bin Hashel bin Rashed bin Hashel Al-Maskari, in his welcoming remark, praised the steady growth of both Sultanates since the establishment of diplomatic ties 34 years ago.
He expressed gratitude to His Majesty for the continuous efforts to further strengthen the long-standing brotherly relations between Brunei and Oman.
The ambassador highlighted various high level meetings between both nations especially with the launching of the Commemorative Gallery Exhibition by Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier at the Royal Regalia Museum.
The embassy has also been actively coordinating with local authorities to promote Arabic Language in Brunei where 16 students from Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) and Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) went to Oman to study the language.
Sheikh Ahmed was delighted to announce that the Sultanate of Oman has been invited by the Brunei Government to participate as a ‘Country of Honour’ for next year’s Brunei International Book Fair held in-conjunction with the declaration of Bandar Seri Begawan as the Islamic Culture Capital of Asia.
The guest of honour and the Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman together with ambassadors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries took part in the customary cake-cutting ceremony. A screening of a documentary film jointly produced by Radio Television Brunei (RTB) in cooperation with Oman Public Authority for Radio and TV was shown to guests.
A Nasyid performance by local group Firqah Ad-Durani enlivened the event.