Twelve lucky babies born on the 1st of Muharram 1430 were given prizes yesterday at the Delivery Ward of Ripas Hospital to celebrate the auspicious birth, which coincides with the first day in the Islamic calendar. Five of the newborns are from the Brunei-Muara District whereas the other seven are from Belait.

The lucky newborns received hampers consisting of baby kits donated by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and an Alaiku savings account worth B$200 from BIBD, B$250 cash from Takaful BIBD (IBB) and a 'SiManja' savings account worth B$300 with TAIB.

On hand to present the prizes was the guest of honour, Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Awg Mohd Zain bin Hj Serudin, Minister of Religious Affairs.

Also in attendance were the Minister of Health Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Suyoi bin Hj Osman, Chairman of Bank Islam Brunei Berhad (BIBD) and Minister of Development - Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Abu Bakar, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Awg Hj Hazair bin Hj Abdullah Deputy Minister of Health, Dato Paduka Dr Awang Hj Mat Suny bin Hj Mohd Hussien Deputy Minister of Development and Chairman of TAIB, Permanent Secretaries at the Ministry of Religious Affairs - Dato Paduka Awg Hj Abd Rahman bin Hj Mohiddin and Hj Mohd Mahdi bin Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Diraja Dato Laila Utama Hj Awg Abdul Rahman and their deputies - Dato Paduka Awg Hj Ishaaq bin Hj Abdullah and Pengiran Hj Bahrom bin Pengiran Hj Bahar.

Other officials from various ministries were also present at the event: Dato Paduka Awg Hj Salam bin Hj Momin Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health and his deputies - Dr Datin Paduka Hjh Intan binti Hj Salleh and Hj Rosli bin Hj Mustafa, Dato Paduka Awg Hj Yusof bin Bakar - the Brunei-Muara District Officer, Dato Seri Setia Ustaz Awg Hj Metussin bin Baki, Acting Managing Director of Takaful IBB Sdn Bhd, Pengiran Hj Abdul Rahman bin Pg Hj Mat Salleh Managing Director of Perbadanan TAIB, Awg Javed Ahmad bin Kamil Hassan Acting Managing Director of BIBD and Awg Musib bin Md Yusuf, Deputy Managing Director of Takaful IBB Berhad.

The Bulletin had the opportunity to interview one of the lucky parents, Rohani binti Jeludin and her husband from Kampong Peramu, who felt extremely touched by the heart-warming gift given to their newborn baby. "We give praise to Allah for bestowing us with such luck and are extremely proud that our baby was born on the 1st of Muharram, which is considered to be a highly important day in Islam. We would like to thank all the sponsors for the lovely gifts." - Borneo Bulletin (31st Dec 2008)