Bandar Seri Begawan - The spouse of the Australian Governor-General, Michael Bryce yesterday visited the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Islamic Exhibition Gallery at the Darulifta Building in Jalan Pengiran Babu Raja.

The Australian delegation was welcomed by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr Ustaz Hj Awg Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti as well as by senior officers at the State Mufti's Office.

Meanwhile, the Director of Administration of the State Mufti's Office, Dato Paduka Ahmad Bukhari bin Pehin Siraja Khatib Hj Abu Hanifah accompanied Mr Bryce as he toured the galleries.

The delegation was brought to the Petrified Wood Gallery that showcased a fossilised tree trunk in which all of the organic components of its wood have been replaced by minerals.

The delegation also viewed the Kiswah Ka'abah or Ka'abah Cloth which was presented as a souvenir to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This was followed by a visit to various galleries that displayed a collection of 300 handwritten Mushafs belonging to His Majesty, 200 walking sticks, 60 prayer beads, manuscripts, swords and canes.

Mr Bryce and his delegation were also impressed and amazed with a collection of ancient artefacts in one of the galleries.

Before leaving the gallery, Mr Bryce signed on the book of memoirs.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin