Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, the Royal Patron of the Brunei Darussalam Girl Guides Association yesterday consented to grace the celebration of Girl Guides Day 2012. The joyous occasion was held in conjunction with Her Majesty's birthday. The event was held at the Sejahtera Hall, Sumbangsih building in Beribi.

What made this year's celebration even more special was the declaration of the "International Day of the Girl" by the United Nations, to be celebrated annually every October 11 as of 2012.

Also present during the ceremony were Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah; Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah; YAM Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah, the President of the association; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah; and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna.

Present to welcome and greet the royal entourage were Hjh Siti Hafsah binti Hj Abdul Halim, Chief Commissioner of the Girl Guides Association and Datin Paduka Hjh Adina binti Othman, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, as well as senior committee members of the association.

The ceremony began with the singing of the National Anthem by young Girl Guides, which was followed by the mass recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and thanksgiving prayer led by Hjh Fatimah binti Hj Abdul Ghani.

A welcoming speech was then delivered by the Chief Commissioner of the association.

In her speech, Hjh Siti Hafsah expressed her gratitude and appreciation for Her Majesty's presence at the event. She also highlighted several events organised by the association since early 2012, which included the World Memorial Day in February, the Membership Badge Ceremony in April, Al-Quran Memorisation Competition in May and Community Day in July, as well as the Peace Day celebration in September.

Hjh Siti Hafsah also noted that the association has selected 15 members who have long served the association since its establishment back in 1983.

She further said that their services had rejuvenated Brunei Darussalam Girl Guides Association since 1983, adding that they put great effort in placing the association to be part of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) in 1986.

"Their services and commitment are vital to the association because they are the reason that the association exists and they are the ones who have guided young girls in Brunei. These members are still productive in contributing significant ideas for the management and development of the association."

During the event, Her Majesty consented to present the long service awards to Hjh Ainah binti Hj Untong and Noor Linawati binti Hj Ismail, who received the Bronze Services Badge for 10 years of service; Damit binti Md Salleh and Hjh Jalia binti Hj Md Noor, who received Silver Services Badge for 15 years of service; and to Hjh Amnah binti Hj Jublee, who received the Gold Services Badge for 20 years of service with the association.

Her Majesty also presented tokens of appreciation to 15 members of the association in conjunction with Girl Guides Day 2012.

The event was further enlivened with Nasyid performances from the students of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah School.

Her Majesty then consented to cut a birthday cake while the Girl Guides sang a birthday song.

Towards the end of the celebration, Her Majesty consented to mingle with members of the Girl Guides Association in a meet and greet session. - Borneo Bulletin (13 October 2012)