THE International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas came to life last night as hundreds of women from across the country gathered to celebrate in jubilation the birthday of Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha.

Accompanying Her Majesty were several members of the royal family including 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, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam.

Organised by the Women’s Council alongside 16 other related associations, last night’s celebration was enlivened with a number of traditional performances presented by not just the women from the council but also those from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

As part of her welcoming remarks that were delivered following the recitation of the Surah Al-Fatihah and the Doa Kesyukuran to officially mark the celebration, the Women’s Council President, Datin Paduka Hajah Marian binti Pengiran Haji Matarsat, expressed her gratitude to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s government’s support that has enabled the council to carry out and participate in a number of regional and national initiatives that primarily focus on women and filial issues.

Among the most notable successes that were achieved, she shared, include the recent delegation visit from the Vietnam Women’s Union to Brunei Darussalam hosted by the Women’s Council as a follow-up to the Women Council’s earlier visit to the Asean state during which time relations were made stronger and objectives were met in fields of mutual interest.

To better associate their members with up-to-date knowledge of Brunei’s development, the Women’s Council also attended a number of Syariah Law briefings which, equipped members with accurate information to enable them to share and disseminate amongst themselves and, more importantly, with the rest of the world when the need arises, she added.

As with many birthday celebrations, Her Majesty also consented to the cutting of the birthday cake and also consented to receive a birthday card along with a pesambah prior to the Junjung Ziarah with invited guests. - Borneo Bulletin (18 October 2014)