BSSMelb celebrates Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2011 with The High Commission of Brunei Darussalam, Canberra, Australia

On Saturday, 03 September 2011 / 5 Syawal 1432, the Brunei Student Society Melbourne (BSSMelb) organised their annual Hari Raya Aidilfitri Celebration in Melbourne, Victoria supported by the High Commission of Brunei Darussalam in Canberra. Bruneian students from all across Victoria gathered for this festive occasion.

This year’s celebration was attended by the High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to Australia, His Excellency Haji Adnan Bin Haji Mohd Ja’afar, who was the guest of honour for the function. His Excellency was accompanied by the Education Attache, Syed Rozman Bin Hj Syed Abd Rahim. Present at the function were upwards of 50 Bruneians which included Government Scholarship students, private students, in-service personnel as well as friends and families. The event was held at the house of the co-host, Awang Muhamad Fakhrul Anwar Bin Haji Abdul Wahab and his family.

The function which began shortly after the Asar prayer commenced with Takbir Raya followed by Doa Kesyukuran, led by the committee’s Religious Officer, Ahmad Za’aim Bin Haji Bagol. The Acting President, Kamaliah Saiful Rijal, then greeted the guests with a welcome speech and thanked the collaborative effort of the committee, the hosts, and also the High Commission of Brunei Darussalam for making the function possible. This was followed by a remark from the High Commissioner where he welcomed everyone and wished them a happy Hari Raya Aidilfitri. The High Commissioner reminded all students and in-service personnel to give priority to their studies as the nation relies on them to come home with greater knowledge useful to the nation. The High Commissioner also assured all Bruneians that the High Commission will always be available to assist in whatever way it can in their studies while in Australia.

There was an array of food and beverages provided during the function, dishes such as mee mamak goreng, barbeque chicken, daging rendang and sayur lodeh. Awang Muhamad Fakhrul’s family also had a barbeque going and a colourful variety of kueh-mueh served at every table.

A group photo concluded the day followed by a Doa Penutup. The committee aims to continue its commitment to the Bruneian community in Melbourne, especially to bring a bit of home to Bruneian students and families living overseas. BSSMelb will endeavour to maintain the relationship with all fellow Bruneians and to share the Bruneian culture with Melbournians in the hope of expanding the Brunei-Melbourne community.

Photo by Fitri Shah Hj Md Ali