BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: All parties involved in the dates-distribution which is a personal gift by His Majesty the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizaddin Wadaullah, the Sultan and the Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam must pay serious attention to their duties and responsibilities. The prevalence of outcry among members of the public means that they failed to deliver the entrusted responsibilities upon them and also failed His Majesty’s aspiration to see all Muslims in the country to enjoy his personal date-endowment as a delicacy for the breaking of the fast, ©BRUDIRECT.COM reported.
In his sabda at the launching ceremony of the dates-distribution of a personal gift of His Majesty the Sultan and the Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik expressed hope that the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (YSHHB) will take pro-active measures in monitoring the implementation of the distribution of the dates, so that no complaints would arise again.
On arrival at the Banquet Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office Building, His Royal Highness who is also the Chairman of the Committee of Governors of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, was greeted by the Minister of Development, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Suyoi Hj Osman, as the Chairman of the Yayasan Board of Directors.
The function began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Awg Salim Hj Besar.
The Minister of Development, in his welcoming address, among other things, said that this year, a total of one hundred and fifty five metric tonnes of “Safawi” dates will be distributed to the Muslim community in the country.
The recipients will also include Muslim expats who are working in the Sultanate. The dates have been packed into five hundred and sixteen thousand, six hundred and sixty six small containers each weighing three grams.
According to Yang Berhormat Pehin, the fruit is supplied by the Al-Madinah Dates Company based in Saudi Arabia.
In his sabda, His Royal Highness said that in just a few days time, Muslims will enter the month of Ramadhan which is filled with blessing. The holy month is eagerly anticipated not only by Muslims in Brunei Darussalam but also the global Muslim population.
His Royal Highness proceeded to distribute the packed dates to mukim penghulus, village chiefs, and representatives of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
They, in turn, will give out the endowment to the people under their respective jurisdiction. The personal gift of His Majesty the Sultan and the Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam is a unique annual event which occurs only in Brunei Darussalam.
Every muslim citizens and residents, regardless of their age and national status, is entitled to receive a pack of the fruit.
To bless the ceremony, the doa selamat was read by Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Awg Salim Hj Besar.
The personal gift shows His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s caring attitude and affectionate to his Muslim subjects, and reflects his due attention to their welfare.