Sultan's collections on show at OIC Expo

PUTRAJAYA - Some of the priceless collections of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam will be on view at the OIC Expo 2003 to be held from Oct 14 to 19 in conjunction with the 10th Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) summit in the Malaysian capital.

An official with the Brunei Pavilion Secretariat, Pengiran Ibrahim Pengiran Bakar, told Bernama yesterday that among the collections to be displayed would be Islamic manuscripts and copies of the Quran dating back to 900 years as well as other Islamic items such as prayer beads and walking sticks.

Asked about the uniqueness of the exhibits, Pengiran Ibrahim said, "One of the walking sticks is made up of shark's bone and the prayer beads are of fossil."

Visitors will also have the opportunity to see handwritten copies of the Quran produced by Universiti Brunei Darussalam, he said when inspecting the preparations for the exhibition at the expo site here.

Pengiran Ibrahim said the Brunei exhibits would also feature the socio-economic and welfare aspects of the Sultanate and its system of Islamic banking and finance.

The activities of the Brunei Liquefied Natural Gas (BLNG) and Brunei Shell Petroleum would also be highlighted at the expo.

The Brunei Pavilion is bound to be a sure attraction among visitors with its unique Islamic design and combination of colours, the news agency said.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin