Her Majesty (L) receiving a souvenir from BWC president Pg Datin Hjh Mariam.
BRUNEI Darussalam's Women's Council (BWC) threw a celebration in honour of their Royal Patron, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha's 64th birthday last night at a ceremony held at the International Convention Centre (ICC). Her Majesty was greeted upon arrival by the president of BWC and chairperson for the celebration, Pg Datin Paduka Hjh Mariam Pg Hj Matarsat.
Accompanying Her Majesty were Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bulqiah and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna.
In an interview on the sidelines of the occasion, BWC President Pg Datin Paduka Hjh Mariam and Vice President 1 Datin Hjh Masni Hj Mohd Ali told The Brunei Times that hosting yesterday's function for Her Majesty was "very important" to show their love for their patron.
"Raja Isteri is our leader and we want to show her that we love her. She is also our role model as a mother, and as the wife of the Head of State and government. So this is a very important function for us," they said.
The president and vice president 1 added, "Raja Isteri is our patron, and its very important, not only socially, economically and politically. So we have a very important guest. We want to show that we are collectively united, because all women and NGOs must be connected. This is a very important effort by the Women's Council and it is nice to work together with all the women." In her opening speech, Pg Datin Paduka Hjh Mariam said one of the objectives of the establishment of the council was to tackle family and community issues.
In conjunction with Asean Women's Day this year, she said the council carried training programmes from July 5 to 7, which were participated by 50 members from different associations under the council as well as the public sector.
"This sort of activity is a contribution and social responsibility towards welfare efforts that have been executed by relevant agencies and NGOs," she added.
The BWC president further announced that the Women's Council, as a member of the Asean women associations, will be attending the 14th Asean Confederation of Women's Organisations (ACWO).
The conference themed "Encouraging participation of women towards a peaceful Asean society" will be held in Hanoi, Vietnam from October 19 to 20.
She also noted that Brunei had previously hosted the conference twice.
On the international level, Pg Datin Paduka Hjh Mariam said they will be sending a representative of the council to the International Council of Women (ICW-CIF) Assembly in Auckland, New Zealand from November 7 to 9.
The highlight of last night's ceremony was the cake-cutting event which was followed by the handing over of the specially prepared "pesambah" as a token of affection and love for Her Majesty from various women's associations.
The evening also saw a line-up of singing and dancing performances which celebrated Brunei's both locally and internationally diverse culture.
The ICC plenary hall echoed with the resonance of traditional songs and vibrant colours and the performances were executed and choreographed by respective association members and their children.
The celebration was jointly organised by BWC, the Brunei Shell Ladies Association, Brunei Association of Nurses (Penjuru) and Women's Association for the Welfare of Police Families and Children (Pekerti).
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