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His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah (back 2nd R), the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah (back R), the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, HRH Prince ‘Abdul ‘Azim (back C), HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik (back 2nd L) and HRH Prince ‘Abdul Mateen (back L) witnessing YM Pg Hj Muhammad Ruzaini Pg Dr Hj Mohd Yakub (Front L) perfoming the ‘Akad Nikah’. Picture by Yusri Adanan of The Brunei Times.

The sound of royal canons, echoing throughout the capital marked the successful solemnisation of YangMulia Pg Hj Muhd Ruzaini Pg Dr Hj Mohd Yakub’s royal marriage vows during a Majlis Istiadat AkadNikah Diraja at the Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien mosque yesterday.

Majlis Istiadat Akad Nikah Diraja is a traditional ceremony where the groom reads his marriage vows in accordance with Islamic Law in the presence of male witnesses consisting of family members from both the bride and the groom.

The ceremony began with the groom’s arrival at the mosque, donning the traditional wedding attire and paraphernalia, as he was escorted inside while awaiting His Majesty’s arrival.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s presence at the Sultan Omar ‘AliSaifuddien Mosque was to witness the groom solemnise his wedding vows as part of the Malay Muslim ritual in asking for the royal bride’s hand in marriage.

The monarch was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malek and His Royal Highness ‘Abdul Mateen.

On arrival, the royal entourage was welcomed by State Mufti Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri MaharajaDato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Awang Abdul Aziz Juned and Minister of Religious Affairs YangBerhormat Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad Pg Hj Abd Rahman prior to conducting their Solat Tahiyatul Masjid prayers, an obligation for Muslims upon entering a mosque.

After His Majesty and members of the royal family performed their prayers, the spotlight returned to the groom sporting a yellow royal wedding attire, as an audience of black Cara Melayu guests waited for the ceremony to begin.

It was a gloomy day indeed but lucky it didn’t rain

The respective diplomats attended the Royal Nikah function as well

There were two tents to cater the other guests from the groom side

The bearers stood from the beginning until the departure of the royal entourage

The arrival of His Majesty and the Royal Family at the SOAS Mosque. The police bikes remind me of Judge Dredd.

The Panglimas (in red) if I’m not mistaken

His Majesty upon arrival at the mosque

The bearers from the bride side

The bearers from the bride side

I don’t mind being part of this one day

Yang Berhormat Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Mohd Zain Hj Serudinapproached Yang Amat Mulia Pg Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pg Anak Hj Abdul Aziz to inform His Majesty that the Majlis Istiadat Akad Nikah Diraja ceremony was ready to begin.

Carrying out the Majlis Istiadat Akad Nikah Diraja was Syariah High Court Judge Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Salim who read the solemnisation sermon and elaborated on the vows as well as the groom’s undertaking of royal union in lifelong companionship and care. The groom understood and acknowledged the vows and then projected his voice in reciting his vows for all to hear and witness.

The ceremony reached its pinnacle with the groom’s recital as it was accompanied by 17 gun salutes from six royal cannons located just outside the mosque.

The groom then recited the Lafaz Ta’liq and signed the solemnisation form witnessed by the monarch and four imam witnesses before concluding with a Doa Selamat read by the State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Datu Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Abdul Aziz. With the conclusion of the ceremony and the solemnisation of the royal marriage vows, Yang Mulia Pg Hj Muhammad Ruzaini Pg Dr Hj Muhammad Yakub and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah are now legally recognised as husband and wife according to Syariah law. Text by Amir Noor of The Brunei Times.

Yang Mulia Pg Hj Muhammad Ruzaini Pg Dr Hj Muhammad Yakub seated and facing the Royal Entourage led by His Majesty

It was full house indeed yesterday and congratulations also to my friend Zaki (pic inset) who also had a successful nikah event this morning

Adat Istiadat checking with the flow of the event to make sure everything ran smoothly and in order

For your info, if a royalty event happens during the day, then the dress code is black

Syariah High Court Judge Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Salim read the solemnisation sermon to the groom

Also in attendance were the cabinet ministers

The photographers in action

The vital part of the solemnisation where the groom recited his vows and he successfully did it one go

The groom signing the solemnisation form witnessed by His Majesty and four imam

The four imam also signed as witnesses

The prayers to bless the solemnisation

The groom getting signal or cue before standing up

The groom walked to towards His Majesty

The groom then “salam-ed” His Majesty and the rest of the Royal entourage

He “salam-ed” HRH Prince Jefri then proceeded to salam his father

His Majesty and the Crown Prince about to leave the mosque

The Royal Family who attended and witnessed the solemnisation

The departure of the Royal entourage

….. and finally the bearers made their way out

The public view the event from outside

Marking the end of the event as guests heading back to their cars

A day later, after Friday prayers this afternoon, I saw drinks being distributed away. A good move but they will need to beef up security if they want to avoid scuffles and chaos.

An industry sharing session was recently held on Wednesday, 19th September 2012, at Seri Kerna Hall, AITI Building in Anggerek Desa to launch AITI’s public consultation paper on “Domain Name Management Framework”. The industry sharing brought together officers from Government sector and industry, whereby AITI and its appointed consultants from IDA International briefed the attendees on the content of the public consultation paper which was launched on Friday, 14th September 2012 made available on the AITI website.

This is the third public consultation paper published by AITI. This first public consultation paper was regarding Proposed Unified Licencing framework launched on 18th April 2012. AITI received a total of seven (7) feedbacks from licensees and relevant stakeholders. The second public consultation paper was on telecommunication and broadcasting competition code launched on 4th June 2012. AITI have received 3 feedbacks from licensees.

The industry sharing kicked off with an opening speech by Awang Queh Ser Pheng, Deputy Chief Executive of AITI. Mr Queh highlighted that AITI is pleased to say that we have completed Phase 1 of the project in terms of information gathering and views from relevant stakeholders.

Awang Queh Ser Pheng, Deputy Chief Executive of AITI with the appointed consultants from IDA International.

Awang Queh Ser Pheng added that AITI are very keen to play a more active role in governing the registration of .bn address in order to ensure that the domains registration process and the dispute mechanism are in line with international best practices. AITI also want to see that the uptake of .bn address is on par with other country code Top Level Domains. AITI intends to follow a model based on Registry-Registrar framework, where it rely on the participation and partnership of the industry to work together in process chain of .bn domain name registration.

After the opening speech, IDA International consultants presented the details of the public consultation paper which comprises sections on the project background, proposed new Domain Name Management Framework. The industry sharing ended with a Question and Answers session.

AITI would like to urge its licensees and relevant stakeholders to submit feedbacks and comments on the public consultation paper. The paper is available for download from AITI website (www.aiti.gov.bn) since 14th September 2012. The closing date for submission of comment is 8th October 2012, 3:30pm. For any queries on the public consultation paper, please contact the following AITI officers: Norshahrul Nizam 232 3232 ext 1218 nizam.othman @aiti.gov.bn or Mohammad Norelham bin Hj Zaini 232 3232 ext 1246 norelham.zaini @aiti.gov.bn