Birthday Prayers For Her Majesty
By Sobrina Rosli

Bandar Seri Begawan - A thanksgiving ceremony was held yesterday for Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha who turns 60 today.

Some 150 women attended the event which was organised by the Brunei Women's Council at the Jame' Asri Hassanil Bolkiah in Kiulap yesterday.

The women-who represented 12 associations under the Council started the event with a recitation of Quranic verses followed by the breaking of the fast and mass Maghrib prayers.

The council's treasurer Hajah Rosmah Haji Hazbollah said they conducted the prayers for Her Majesty's health and happy life.

"On behalf of all the women's associations in Brunei, we would like to wish Her Majesty a Happy 60th birthday" she said.

One of Her Majesty's former classmates at the Raja Isteri Girls' High School, Hjh Shamsiah Hj Abdul Latif said that Her Majesty was known for being friendly. ,,;

"Her Majesty was a very pleasant and humble person."

Another former classmate, Hajah Mariam Haji Idris remembers Her Majesty the Raja Isteri as a good student. "Her Majesty was a very attentive student in class, Her Majesty was a quiet person and was friendly with everyone.

"She took part in some really basic activities; like when we had to clean our classrooms. She never used her royal status to set herself aside from the rest of us, and until today she still remembers our names."

Hjh Noriah Mohd Abas, who was also one of Her Majesty's former classmates in the 1960s, said, "Her Majesty as a teenage student was shy but generous".

Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha married His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei

Darussalam on 28th July 1965

Her Majesty has two sons and four daughters. Her eldest son is His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office.

Her Majesty had her early education through private tuition at the surau of Istana Darul Hana.

Her Majesty attended Raja Isteri Girls' High School before leaving for London where she studied for two years.

A similar ceremony for Her Majesty's birthday was held at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Mosque last night. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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