His Royal Highness Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, General of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) attended a thanksgiving ceremony at the Ministry of Defence Surau in Bolkiah Garrison last evening.

The ceremony was held in celebration of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Golden Jubilee.

His Royal Highness was welcomed upon arrival by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat and RBAF Commander, Major General Dato Paduka Seri Awg Haji Aminuddin Ihsan Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, as well as the Permanent Secretary of Defence, Deputy Commander of RBAF, Deputy Permanent Secretaries of Defence, service commanders and senior officers at the Ministry of Defence and RBAF.

The ceremony began with the recital of al-Quran, followed by a mass Maghrib prayer, reading of wirid and doa, surah yaasiin and tahlil, as well as the thanksgiving prayer.

The ceremony proceeded with the mass Isyak prayer and 'junjung ziarah' before HRH Prince General went to the Officers' Mess for 'santap' and photo session.

His Royal Highness signed the royal parchment after the recitation of doa selamat.

The ceremony was one of the religious activities organised to seek blessings from Allah the Almighty for the RBAF 50th Anniversary celebrations, which are scheduled to be held at the Berakas Garisson today, in the presence of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

This year's anniversary theme is 'Defending My Country Brunei Darussalam'. - Borneo Bulletin (31st May 2011)