BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE rich cultural customs and traditions of the royal wedding has been beautifully preserved and carried out with its precision from generations to generations.

This was shared by Penghulu of Mukim Tamoi, Pengarah Hj Mokti Md Salleh yesterday after witnessing the Royal Solemnisation ceremony, which is one of the highlights of the royal wedding between His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Yang Mulia Dayangku Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah Pengiran Hj Bolkiah.

“The royal wedding traditions and ceremonies have been the same since I can remember. I feel very happy as a citizen of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and wish that the royal couple will live happily and blessed with many children,” said Pengarah Hj Mokti expressing his delight and joy.

The 84-year-old penghulu also reminisced his personal experience witnessing the royal wedding between His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam himself with Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hjh Saleha.

“I was in my mid 30s and what I remember the most was that all the Brunei royal regalia collections were on full display, which is similar to what is being carried out for this royal wedding. Although back then it was carried out at the Istana Lama.

“Likewise, the wedding ceremony was held with full of tradition, grandeur and magnificence. It really displayed how our adat istiadat (royal customs) are very precise and particular in organising royal events like this,” he said.

Pengarah Hj Mokti further added, “Throughout my lifetime, I also witnessed the royal weddings of His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade; HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah; HRH Prince Hj Jefri Bolkiah and other members of the royal families.”

In another interview with the Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman, Sheikh Ahmed Hashil Al Maskari, shared how the two countries shared almost similar wedding customaries and traditions.

“I attended the Royal Powdering ceremony the night before and observe that there a lot of similarities between Oman and Brunei when it comes to the steps (protocol) in wedding. Of course, I still find it unique in its own way as the way people here are dressed is different and definitely nice,” he said.

The ambassador looked forward to attend the Majlis Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja this Sunday, where the royal couple will be seated on a special dias at the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana in Istana Nurul Iman.

Meanwhile, a bystander, Ahmad Aleem who works at a restaurant in the capital and afterwards perform Zuhor prayers said that it was his first time to witness a royal solemnisation at the iconic mosque in Brunei.

“It is great to see that the Monarchy is very Islamic and also emphasising religion in their royal traditions.”

The Brunei Times