His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Chairman of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Committee of Governors in a Sabda said that His Majesty's Personal Gift of Dates will not only bring distinction in welcoming Ramadhan in the country, it also proves it can nurture love and unity.
His Royal Highness delivered the Sabda at the Launching Ceremony of the Distribution of His Majesty's Personal Gift of Dates in conjunction with Ramadhan 1447 Hijrah/2026. His Royal Highness in the sabda stressed that such personal gifts have become a practice in this country, every time Ramadhan approaches.
The ceremony took place at Dewan An-Naura, Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex, 10th February morning. Upon arrival, His Royal Highness was greeted by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Retired Major General Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Defence AS Chairman of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Board of Directors; Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism; Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Setia Doctor Dayang Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd. Salleh, Minister of Education; Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi Mohamad, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports; Members of the Yayasan Board of Directors; and Doctor Dayang Nor Imtihan binti Haji Abdul Razak, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry Of Development as Acting Managing Director of Yayasan.
The reading of Surah Al-Fatihah was led by Yang Dimuliakan Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Haji Suhaili bin Haji Metali Al-Hafiz.
The Chairman of the Yayasan Board of Directors in his welcoming remarks touched on the strong support and involvement from the parties involved, which shows a positive trend, consensus and cohesion. Yang Berhormat also hoped that the internalisation and implementation of this method will continue on and become a part of the religious practices blessed by Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. May it further increase the blessings and rewards bestowed on the country.
The Yayasan, His Royal Highness in the Sabda said will be actively taking steps to distribute the dates to all levels of Muslim citizens and residents in the country.
His Royal Highness then distributed His Majesty's Personal Gift of Dates to representatives of uniformed teams, the public, civil servants, private sector employees, and new convert associations. 160 point 2 metric tonnes of Safawy dates will be distributed to all Muslim citizens and residents, with each person receiving a small box containing 300 grammes of dates.
Doa selamat was read by Yang Dimuliakan Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Haji Suhaili bin Haji Metali Al-Hafiz.
