Brunei King Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and his wife Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Mohamed Alam greet guests at the Hari Raya open house at Istana Nurul Iman. - Photo from Borneo Bulletin/ANN
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): Citizens and residents of the Sultanate have been in high spirit over the last few days as the country begins celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Families held cheerful gatherings with distant relatives, children and youth received much anticipated green packets and communities came together to bring Raya cheer to the underprivileged.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the country's leader, also held an Royal Open House followed by VVIPs and dignitaries.
REUNION
Aini, a retiree, feels that the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration is a time to meet siblings and relatives, adding that while they are a small family, they seldom see each other as they go about their daily lives. Aini’s family joined many other Bruneians in making the full use of the three-day break to make house visits and reunite with family members coming home from abroad.
Hasnaain bin Ismil, together with family and friends travelling from afar, held a modest but happy gathering at his residence in Lorong Tiga Selatan Seria.
As they enjoyed homemade dishes, Hasnaain thought about how the digital age changed the way they sent well-wishes.
“In the past, we used to send each other greeting cards. However, now we can give our blessings and well-wishes through social media, video and messaging apps,” he said.
It is on social media that Mansurah, a Bruneian student living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, shared her sadness of not being able to join her siblings back home for the festivity.
She said she felt better after a get-together with friends, celebrating the end of the holy month of Ramadhan, exchanging greetings and seeking forgiveness.
Families enjoying the festivities during a Hari Raya open house gathering in Bandar Seri Begawan. Borneo Bulletin/ANN
COMMUNITY
Over 300 orphans, underprivileged, muallaf and single mothers were treated to a Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration organised by a company, Masjeffrey Sdn Bhd, yesterday.
The proprietor, Pengiran Haji Mohd Jaafar bin Pengiran Haji Damit said the occasion was to bring the community together while celebrating the holiday.
It was the 14th such gathering the company hosted.
Meanwhile, on the first day of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration, the Islamic Da’wah Centre (PDI) visited Kampong Bebuloh to perform Sunnat Hari Raya Aidilfitri prayers with residents.
The objective of the event was to enliven the Hair Raya Aidilfitri celebration with the muallaf, particularly those living in remote areas, as well as to foster closer ties between the PDI and the community.
Donations were also presented to eight residents.
DIGITAL GREEN PACKETS?
For youth and children, green packets represent a moment of joy and cheer during the Hari Raya celebration.
Some of the younger generation seemed to prefer a digital, cashless transaction, said Bazillah Maisara, a university student. “Digital money transfers are very appealing to me as they are easier and immediate, just like purchasing goods via online transfer,” she said. The older generation prefers handing out the green envelopes, she added.
Rashidah, a mother of two, disagreed. “I felt happy when I received a green packet and have cash-in-hand,” she said. “I want my children, and other children, to experience the same thing.” – Borneo Bulletin/ANN
