ISTANA Nurul Iman yesterday opened its doors to the public to meet and greet His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha and other members of the royal family in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Thousands of Brunei citizens and residents as well as foreign visitors from all walks of life thronged the palace for a chance to shake hands with and personally convey their Hari Raya greetings to the royal family.

The total number of visitors who came to Istana Nurul Iman’s Hari Raya Open House yesterday was 35,387.

Accompanying His Majesty to receive the male well-wishers at the Baitul Rahmah Hall were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel and other members of the royal family.

Receiving female well-wishers in an adjacent room were Her Majesty along with Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Muta-Wakkilah Hayatul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah. Also present were Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam.

Istana Nurul Iman is open to the public for three days, August 10 to 12, from 10am to 12 noon for the morning session and 2pm to 4pm for the afternoon session.

For the morning session yesterday, 21,896 well-wishers were recorded, while the afternoon session saw the attendance of 13,941 well-wishers. - Borneo Bulletin (11 August 2013)