Bandar Seri Begawan: Yesterday marks the second day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri Open Palace at Istana Nurul Iman. His Majesty the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and the Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohammed Alam consented to receive in audience the people of Brunei Darussalam and other visitors for the Junjung Ziarah and Hari Raya greetings, ©BRUDIRECT.COM reported.
His Majesty the Sultan And Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to receive the male well-wishers. Accompanying His Majesty were His Majesty’s princes and brother, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah the Crown Prince; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Abdul Azim; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel. Also in attendance were other members of the Royal Household.
Among the well-wishers who visited the Istana in the morning were members of the Civil Service from Ministries, including the Ministry of Home Affairs and departments under it as well as Village Consultative Council (MPK) in the country. They were led by the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Lailaraja (Rtd) Major General Dato Paduka Seri Hj Awg Halbi Hj Md Yussof.
Meanwhile at another part of Istana Nurul Iman, Her Majesty the Raja Isteri consented to receive in audience the female visitors and exchange Hari Raya greetings with them. With Her Majesty were Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab’Rahaman; Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul 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 and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al Islam. Also present were Their Majesties’ grandchildren.
In the morning alone, nineteen thousand and two hundred eighty people visited Istana Nurul Iman for the Aidilfitri audience and greetings with His Majesty the Sultan and the Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Raja Isteri, as well as members of the Royal Household.
Later in the afternoon, another sixteen thousand, six hundred forty well-wishers visited Istana Nurul Iman for the audience and Hari Raya Greetings ceremony with the Monarch and Her Majesty the Raja Isteri and members of the Royal Family. His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to receive Hari Raya greetings from the male well-wishers.
Also present were His Majesty’s princes and brother, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Haji ‘Abdul Azim; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel, as well as other members of the Royal Family.
Meanwhile at a separate section of the Istana, Her Majesty the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha consented to receive in audience the female well-wishers and exchange Hari Raya greetings with them. With Her Majesty were Her Royal Highness Paduka Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah; Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah; Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Norhayati; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah; and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah. Also present were Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Khalthum Al-Islam and Their Majesties grandchildren.
In total, thirty five thousand nine hundred twenty well-wishers visited Istana Nurul Iman on its second day run. The tradition of exchanging visits during the festivities has been practised in Brunei Darussalam for a long time, but the unique thing about the Abode of Peace is that on every Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, the Monarch consents to open the palace to personally greet the rakyat, residents and other well-wishers.
Brunei Darussalam is one of the few countries where the ruler has a special relationship with the people. The special bond manifests itself during Aidilfitri when His Majesty welcomes the people and other visitors and entertains them as Palace guests regardless of their background. Istana Nurul Iman will open again today from 10am until 12pm and again from 2pm until 4pm in the afternoon.