| Aziz Idris |
EXPATRIATES were given the oppor-tunity to get up close and personal with 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, during the annual Junjung Ziarah in the Belait District yesterday, in conjunction with His Majesty’s 70th birthday celebrations.
Among the thousands of people who stood for hours to welcome His Majesty were Maria Paula Carrillo of Colombia, and her two children, who wore traditional Colombian attire, laced with the national colours of the South American country.
“There are no such celebrations such as this, back home. I’m glad to be part of this unique spectacle and getting so close to a monarch. It shows the close relationship between a ruler and his subjects, which is a rare sight these days,” she said.
Adeshina Sadiq, of Nigeria, spoke of the “love and affection” for His Majesty which was felt at the grounds yesterday. “His Majesty has brought cheer to his subjects, and even we as expatriates, felt the outpouring of affection,” he said.
Adil Ali Al-Kiyumi, from the Sultanate of Oman, came dressed in the traditional dishdasha (white ankle-length robe) and the bisht (traditional Arabic men’s cloak), with a shiny silver dagger called the khanjar, on his waist.
The Nigerian community from the Belait District wearing their colourful national costumes from various parts of Nigeria
He was accompanied by his colleague, Hamed Said Al-Shuaili. Both are currently employed in the oil and gas sector.
“Oman and Brunei have a lot of similarities,” said Adil Ali. “Both countries are Muslim, and among the only remaining countries which are still Sultanates. We feel honoured to be in the presence of one of the longest-reigning ruler in the world.
“It was a golden opportunity to shake hands with the Sultan, and we wish His Majesty the most special and happiest of birthdays on this occasion. And long may His Majesty reign over his subjects for more years to come.”
Expatriates from the Sultanate of Oman in their national attire during the get-together. PHOTOS: AZIZ IDRIS AND FAZA SURAJ
Maria Paula Carrillo of Colombia with her children (L) and Joseph Curry from the United States of America (R)
Meanwhile, Joseph Curry, a programme engineer from the United States of America, was ecstatic at the colourful spectacle, especially the traditional Malay attire worn by most that came to the Junjung Ziarah.
Witnessing the event for the first time, he described the celebration as a “wonderful gesture”, which “deeply touched” all those who were present.
And Italian businessman, Angelo, who staked out a prime spot in the crowd for a good view of the monarch, proudly showed the Sunday Bulletin a picture which he took with his trusty digital camera.
“It was worth it, being inside the crush of people, with everyone stretching out their hands and whipping out their camera phones,” he said, before admitting that he had been aiming to take a ‘selfie’ with the monarch.
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