Dates Distributed As Gifts From The Ruler

His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malik

Bandar Seri Begawan – His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malik said authorised parties that have been given the trust to distribute dates donated by His Majesty need to carry out their responsibilities wisely.

His Royal Highness said this at a launching ceremony to distribute the dates in conjunction with the upcoming month of Ramadan.

The ceremony took place yesterday at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas.

The arrival of His Royal Highness at the Convention Centre was greeted by members of the administrative body of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation and also members of the board of directors led by its chairman, Pehin Dato Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin.

The Syarie High Court Judge, Pehin Ustaz Dato Awang Haji Salim Bin Haji Besar reading the Al-Fatihah verse led the ceremony.

In his welcoming address, the Director of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation touched on the history of the distribution of the dates.

His Royal Highness said that the experience and the wise effort of the existing manpower have enabled the dates, which serve as a personal contribution by His Majesty Sultan of Brunei to reach the Muslim population in the country.

At the ceremony, His Royal Highness handed over the dates.

His Majesty as his personal gift first donated the dates in 1992 and it has become a special project, which is being carried out by the foundation annually.

The first to receive the dates was the units of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), which were represented by their commanding officers and heads of departments.

The Royal Brunei Police Force and the police district heads followed this.

Penghulus and village headmen nationwide also received the dates, which will be distributed to eligible Muslim population. According to the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation, all Muslim citizens and residents regardless of their age are eligible to receive the dates.

The dates are personal gift of His Majesty and distributed freely every year so that the Muslim citizens could enjoy the taste of this delicious dates while breaking their fast in the holy month of Ramadan.

Each person can get a packet of this dates weighing three hundred grams.

To bless the ceremony, Doa Selamat was read by the Syarie High Court Judge.

The practice of breaking the fast with the dates is part of the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon them.

This year alone, more than 345,702 persons will receive the dates.

The figure shows a slight increase from the total number of last year’s recipients, which stood at around 334,699 people. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei 

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