The perfect moment to come to Brunei Darussalam is during the festival of Eid al-Fitr. It is a significant time among Muslims across the globe to celebrate the sacrifices made during the Ramadan. The Eid feast gives Muslims the opportunity to express their sincerity and gratitude to Allah. The celebration starts on the first day of Syawal in the lunar Hijri month.
Here are some of the things to expect during this festival.
The Royal Family welcomes the public.
In Brunei Darussalam, the Hari Raya Aidilfitri is welcomed with anticipation and embraced with munificence. As a matter of fact, the Royal family opens the Istana Nurul Iman to the public and invites citizens, residents, and tourists in the country to celebrate the Eid feast. On ordinary days, only diplomats and invited guests have the opportunity to see the enormous and luxuriant abode.
Bus rides are provided.
The atmosphere in the palace during Hari Raya is that of generosity, from the entrance up to the exit. Clean shuttle buses are provided to pick up visitors from certain points in the city and drop them off at the gate of the palace. For convenience, visitors are taken on another bus ride from the gate of the palace to the entrance.
There's a feast.
Upon arriving inside, visitors are required to queue up and then later are brought in to the banquet hall. A big feast with unlimited supply of dishes, beverage, and sweets awaits visitors. Visitors can take any amount of food and beverage they wish.
Visitors can meet the Royal Family.
After dining, visitors are ushered in to a queue to meet and shake hands with the royal family. The queue is specified for ladies and gentlemen. Among the visitors, only the ladies are allowed to meet and shake hands with Her Majesty Queen Saleha and the female members of the Royal family. Only the gentlemen are allowed to meet and shake hands with His Majesty Sultan Bolkiah and the male members of the Royal family.
Gift-giving.
After the meet and greet, visitors are taken to an area where they can receive a souvenir pack as a gift from the generous Royal family. Children and the elderly are given an envelope containing monetary gift. Visitors are allowed to take photos in certain areas inside and outside the palace. At the exit of the hall, the crowd is once taken on a bus ride to the gate of the Istana Nurul Iman.
With this kind of bounteousness, everybody goes home in a blissful state.It has been customary for the Royal family to open the palace to everyone during the first three days of the festive season. The Open Palace customary provides everyone a unique encounter with amity and goodwill. Despite differences in religion, everyone is welcome to the Istana Nurul Iman to experience the Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
