Minister Highlights Importance Of 'Syair' In Brunei
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan - More than 200 people converged at a seminar at Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex in the capital yesterday afternoon in their zest to understand the role played by poetry towards the independence of Brunei.

The Brunei Literati Association (Asterawani) organized the seminar.

Themed "The Voice of Independence in Brunei Poems," the seminar was held in conjunction with the 21st National Day celebrations.

In his opening address, the guest of honour, Pehin Dato Dr. Ustaz Hj Md Zain, the Minister of Religious Affairs, said the nation is lucky to have a number of poets.

He said that local poets included the 28th Sultan of Brunei Darussalam the late Al-Marhum Sultan Omar `Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, who penned traditional poetry or 'Syair' such as "Syair Perlembagaan".

He said poems are the retribution of feelings, views and life experiences of poets who so sharply narrated events or situations through beautiful arrangement of words and phrases.

He then mentioned the contributions of local poets towards the independence of Brunei.

The main keynote address was delivered by Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Yahya Hj Ibrahim, the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs.

Prof Madya Dr Hj Hashim, the leader of Asterawani, also delivered an introduction in which he called for the public to appreciate poems and realise its contributions to the independence of this country.

Several working papers were presented during the two-day seminar including those from Prof Madya Dr Hj Hashim Haji Abd Hamid, Pg Dato Dr Hj Mohammad Pg Hj Abdul Rahman, Dr Hj Morsidi Hj Mohammad, Hj Osman BPSKDSS Hj Mohd Tamin, Amman Hj Momin and Faridah Hj Abdul Hamid.

Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Yahya's new anthology of poems entitled Perjalanan Kembali 20 Musim (Kumpulan Puisi 2003 Yahya MS) is also expected to be launched tonight.

The closing ceremony, which is scheduled to take place tonight at 8pm, will feature a poem recital by local poets such as Shukri Zain, Yahya MS, A Hashim Hamid, Ibnu Abdir-Raheem, Mas Osman, HJR, and Rahim MS. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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