23rd January, Sunday, marked a historic moment for the country with the Royal Wedding Ceremony between His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s daughter, Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Suami, Abdullah Nabil Mahmoud Al-Hashimi. The tradition-filled Majlis Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja took place in the presence of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izaddien Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam, at the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana, Istana Nurul Iman, yesterday morning.
The arrival of His Majesty and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri was preceded by the Penglima Diraja carrying the Pemuras and Karga or Musket and Bullet Bag as well as the Penglima Asgar, carrying the Kelasak and Kampilan or Machete and Long Shield, accompanied by the bearers of the Alat-Alat Perhiasan Tunggal.
Also in attendance were His Majesty’s sons, daughters, brothers and sisters:
– His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince, and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah;
– His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah;
– His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen;
– His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel;
– His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah;
– His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah;
– His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Norhayati.
– Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah;
– Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Muta-Wakkilah Hayatul Bolkiah;
– Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah;
– Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah;
– Her Royal Highness Princess ‘Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah;
– Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah;
– Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna;
– And Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam.
Also in attendance was the mother of the royal bride, Datin Paduka Seri Dayang Hajah Mariam.
Also present was His Majesty’s guest, Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Idris Iskandar Ismail Abdul Rahman ibni Sultan Ibrahim Ismail, the Tunku Temenggong of Johor.
The Istiadat began with the entrance of four Awang-Awang, lighting up the Dian Empat or Four Ceremonial Candles. This was followed by two Awang-Awang carrying the Kasur Namat, a cushion of yellow cloth upon which was laid an embroidered mat placed in the centre of the Dian Empat.
Subsequently, Yang DiMuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan informed Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris that the Istiadat to invite the royal bride was ready. Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib then informed likewise to His Majesty.
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam instructed Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, and the wives of the state dignitaries to invite the royal bride to the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana.
The arrival of the royal bride, flanked by Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, was preceded by 40 Awang-Awang carrying the Sinipit or spears, followed by Juru Bini Dayang Hajah Rokiah and a Hulubalang Diraja carrying the Pemuras and Karga, as well as a Hulubalang Asgar carrying the Kelasak and Kampilan.
A Dian Tunggal carried by a Dayang-Dayang preceded the royal bride, accompanied by Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Manteri Bini Datin Paduka Dayang Hajah Aminah and Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Jawatan Bini Datin Paduka Dayang Hajah Siti. This was followed by Her Royal Highness’ Perhiasan carried by three Dayang-Dayang, namely ‘Payung’ or umbrella, ‘Kaskol’ and ‘Kain Pendukungan’. They were followed by ‘Pengangun Pengantin Diraja’ or Lady-in-Attendance, the wives of State Dignitaries and a Pengiran Perempuan Berbaju Gadong or Female Pengiran Dressed in Green. Several other regalia were also borne by the ‘Dayang-Dayang’ including ‘Kaskol Langguai’ while seven female ‘Pahawai’ carried the ‘Puan’, ‘Tarian’, ‘Kabok’ and ‘Panastan’, ‘Kiap’, ‘Chupu’, ‘Pasigupan’ and ‘Kaskol’. This was followed by the ‘Dian Enam Belas, Sixteen ‘Pedang’ and ‘Perisai’, Sixteen ‘Tumbak Bendarangan’ and Eight ‘Kabok’ and ‘Panastan’ carried by Awang-Awang.
As soon as the the royal bride was seated, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Maharaja Setia Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Rahim and Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Doctor Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz, the State Mufti sought consent to invite the royal bridegroom.
Upon arriving at the outer entrance of the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana, the royal bridegroom was sprinkled with Bunga Rampai followed by the sprinkling of water at the bridegroom’s feet. The royal bridegroom was led in by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim.
At the entrance of the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana, the royal bridegroom was led in by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Doctor Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz, the State Mufti.
His Majesty then took the bridegroom’s right hand and placed it gently on the Royal Bride’s head, to signify the official union of the Royal Couple. The Selawat was led by the State Mufti, as 17 cannon shots resounded.
The Letter of Proclamation bestowing the Royal Bridegroom with an official royal title was read by Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib. Doa Selamat was read by the State Mufti.
His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen then accompanied the Royal Couple, Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Suami, Abdullah Nabil Mahmoud Al- Hashimi to junjung ziarah His Majesty and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri. Her Royal Highness and Yang Amat Mulia also greeted the Mother of the royal bride.
The Royal Wedding Ceremony portrayed the prominence of the Malay Islamic Monarchy concept. The tradition filled ceremony, with the graceful Brunei Malay courtesy clearly showed that although the country is progressive but the customs and traditions inherited throughout the eras are still held in high esteem.
Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan then informed Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib that Majlis Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja has been completed.
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib in turn graciously informed His Majesty that the ceremony has been duly completed. His Majesty later signalled for the ceremony to be brought to a close.
His Majesty and Her Majesty as well as other members of the Royal Family then departed the ceremony. Present were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran-Pengiran Cheteria, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Councils, Deputy Ministers, Pengiran-Pengiran Peranakan, Pehin-Pehin Manteri, Manteri-Manteri Hulubalang and Manteri-Manteri Pedalaman, Heads of Diplomatic Mission, Members of the Legislative Council, Permanent Secretaries and heads of government departments.
Source: Radio Television Brunei