facts on Masjid Omar 'Ali Saifuddien

I went to the Brunei Museum and Royal Regalia Building with the intention of KNK. It's a shame that I just visited the Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Mosque exhibition, where it was launched way back in October last year. I didn't come home empty-handed, I had gained some new knowledge :-)

the mosque in 1958

the programme book on Opening ceremony of the mosque

detailed run-down

souvenirs on Opening Ceremony (note the flag)

sketch of the mosque

Royal inspection during the construction

Quick facts on Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Mosque:

• designed by Cavalieri R. Nolli, an Italian
• based on early sketch prepared by the late Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien & assisted by late Awang Besar Sagap, a PWD draughtsman
• work started on building the mosque on Monday, 1 Jamadilakhir 1373 corresponding to 4th February 1954
• sited on a 5 acre land
• 225 feet in length and 86 feet in width
• capacity of about 3,000 jemaah
• the minaret is 166 feet in height
• officially opened by Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien on Friday, 13 Rabiulawal 1378 corresponding to 26th September 1958

- artificial barge (157 feet long & 31 feet wide) located in the lagoon was completed in 1967

- the barge is a replica of a 16th century Sultan Bolkiah mahligai barge, was used to stage Al-Quran reading competitions

- the barge was built to commemorate the 1,400th anniversary of Nuzul Al-Quran in 18 December 1967

mosque appeared on Brunei currency note

References:

• Masjid Omar Ali Saifuddin Negara Brunei Darussalam, Pusat Da'awah Islamiah, Kementerian Hal Ehwal Ugama, Negara Brunei Darussalam, 1992

• Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Rozan Yunos (Golden Legacy), available online: www.bruneiresources.com/goldenlegacy/tgl_masjid_soas.html

• "Peraliran Di Dalam Rekabentuk Masjid Di Negara Brunei Darussalam", Pengiran Adnan bin Pengiran Badarudin, available online: www.bruneiresources.com/pdf/masjid_pgadnan_rekabentuk1.pdf

• Pusaka - Berita Penyelidikan dan Kegiatan Pusat Sejarah Brunei, Bil. 16, 2008, pp42-43.

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's speech

Speech by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew at the Sultan Sir Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Memorial Lecture, Bandar Seri Begawan, 25 February 2009


"THE LEGACY OF SULTAN HAJI OMAR ALI SAIFUDDIEN"

I am honoured that, with the consent of His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam, the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation has invited me to deliver the first of the Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Memorial Lectures. It is fitting and proper that the history, the Brunei Sultanate would have ceased to exist as an independent state without him. In August 1963, Indonesia was opposing the proposed Federation of Malaysia and confronting Malaya and Singapore. Only eight months earlier, on 8 December 1962, Brunei had faced a revolt by Sheikh Azahari of the Partai Rakyat Brunei (PRB) and British forces from Singapore put down the rebellion. It was a time of great peril when the Sultan decided not to join the proposed Federation. Singapore went ahead and joined the Federation. Sultan Omar Ali was under great pressure from the British who had hinted that they would be leaving the region soon. But he stood firm. He put his position as Sultan and the fate of his people on the line. His judgment was that the British would be responsible enough to give him some time to get his country in better shape before British forces left.

Let me briefly recount his personal history, Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien the Third was born on 23 September 1914 in Kampong Sultan Lama, a ward in Kampong Ayer. He was the second surviving son of Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam the Second, the 26th Sultan of Brunei and the Rajah Isteri Fatimah, seventh in a family of ten. He received an informal traditional Islamic education based on the study of the Quran. He was taught good manners, respect for elders and Islamic prayers. He was interested in traditional Malay literature and was familiar with the text of the Hikayat and Syair. He had a bent for Malay poetry and wrote four works of poetry. That earned him the accolade "Penyair Diraja" or "Royal Poet".

In 1932, at the age of 18, he left with two of his cousins to enrol at the Malay college in Kuala Kangsar, Malaya. He studied there for four years and returned with a Standard 4 examination certificate. He then entered the State Administrative Service with the encouragement of the British Resident, later Governor of North Borneo, R E Turnbull. He was stationed in Kuala Belait for a year, lived and worked in the jungle in Ulu Belait. After a year, he joined the Legal Department as a cadet officer, and learned aspects of civil and criminal law, understudying H Hughes-Hallet, the Assistant British Resident.

In 1938, he left the legal department and devoted his time to study religion under well-known religious teachers. In 1941, he joined the Resident's Office. On 6 September 1941, he married Pengiran Anak Damit, the daugther of the Pengiran Bendahara. Brunei was occupied by the Japanese military in early 1942. He was nominated to the State Council from 29 June 1942 and worked at the Governor's office at the request of the Japanese military administration.

His brother, the Sultan, Ahamd Tajuddin, died on 4 June 1950, and Omar Ali was proclaimed Sultan on 6 June 1950. He was crowned on 31 May 1951 as Brunei's 28th Sultan at the age of 35. He was made a Knight by the British monarch.

I first met him in September 1960 when he had invited the Yang Di-Pertuan Negara of Singapore, Yusof bin Ishak, me as the new Prime Minister and our wives to Bandar Brunei for his 46th birthday celebrations. He had gathered some Malay literary figures from the Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka in Kuala Lumpur, including Syed Nazir, the then-President of the Dewan. He spent time the next few days discussing Malay literary works.

The late Sultan was a modest man. He was soft-spoken, with a frequent smile when speaking to his friends. He lived a simple and frugal life. For his birthday, he had built an annexe to the old Istana. It was not air-conditioned. He did not like air-conditioning. The room that my wife and I stayed in within this newly-built annexe was very hot, like an oven even at night. The sun would shine on the building in the afternoon and there was not enough ventilation. So I quietly moved out to stay at the rest-house in a room with a window-model air-conditioner. It was during this visit to Brunei that we struck up a friendship that was to grow and endure the rest of his life.

On 27 May 1961, Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Malayan Prime Minister, at an address to the Foreign Correspondents Association in Singapore, mooted the formation of Malaysia, included Brunei, Sarawak, North Borneo (subsequently to be named Sabah), Singapore and Malaya. On 5 December 1961, Sultan Sir Omar Ali described the Malaysia proposal as very attractive. In January 1962, he appointed a Brunei-Malaysia Commission to report on the opinion of the people. On 18 July 1962, the Sultan stated that he accepted the Malaysia proposal in principle, but that it did not necessarily mean it was final. If agreement could not be reached on important conditions affecting benefits to the people and the state, Brunei would not participate in the Malaysia plan.

In August 1962, the Partai Rakyat Brunei (PRB) won a landslide victory in four District Councils which in turn would choose 16 members for the Legislative Council (LegCo). The PRB won 54 seats form the government. The 17 government nominees outnumbered the PRB in the 33-member Council. Sheikh Azahari, Leader of PRB, rejected the proposal that Brunei join the proposed Malaysian Federation. Azahari put forward three motions at the Legco meeting, for 5 December 1962: first, to reject the proposal of a Malaysian Federation; second, to request the restoration of Brunei’s sovereignty over Sarawak and North Borneo and the installation of the Sultan as constitutional monarch of the North Borneo Federation; and third, a request to the British to grant independence to Brunei not later than 1963.

The Speaker of the LegCo disallowed the motions because the issues fell within the purview of the British government under the 1959 British-Brunei Agreement. Sheikh Azahari, the PRB leader, decided to resort to a military solution and staged a rebellion led by its military wing, Tentera Nasional Kalimantan Utara (TNKU). The revolt began on 8 December. It was put down in short order by British forces flown in from Singapore. On 20 December, Sultan Omar Ali declared a State of Emergency, suspended the Constitution, dissolved the LegCo, and appointed a 14-member Emergency Council comprising four ex-officio members, including the British High Commissioner, Sir Denis White, and 10 members nominated by the Sultan.

Negotiations on Malaysia were resumed in earnest following the end of the rebellion. The Sultan did not accept the terms that Malaya offered him. When the Malaysia Agreement was signed on 9 July 1963 in London, Singapore, North Borneo and Sarawak signed on. Brunei did not. I had been in frequent touch with the Sultan in London, then staying at Grosvenor House. He was very firm in his decision not to join. As a result, after Malaysia was formed on 16 September 1963, Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, recalled hundreds of Malaysian teachers and government officers seconded to serve the Brunei administration. Their departure caused temporary dislocation in Brunei.

Several accounts were given to explain the reasons for Brunei's decision not to join the Malaysian Federation. One account cited disagreement over oil revenues as the primary cause. Kuala Lumpur wanted Brunei to hand over control of its oil to the Federal government after 10 years. Kuala Lumpur also wanted to immediately tax any new oil and mineral finds discovered after Brunei joined Malaysia and to make the Sultan's contribution of $40 million to federal revenues compulsory rather than voluntary. The Sultan was said to have found these terms unacceptable.

Another account from Kuala Lumpur alluded to the Sultan's unhappiness over the issue of royal precedence. However, I believe Sir Omar was neither willing to compromise Brunei's control over its oil revenues nor ready to have his privileges as the Ruler of Brunei curtailed. More to the point, the vibes that Sultan Omar Ali felt during the negotiations were that he would become subordinate to Kuala Lumpur's leaders and he would rank behind Malaysia's nine Sultans in seniority, besides giving up a chunk of this oil wealth to KL. When we met soon after Singapore was asked to leave Malaysia in August 1965, he nodded with satisfaction that he decision not to join was wiser than Singapore's acceptance of Malaysia.

Just over two months after Malaysia was formed, on 1 December 1963, the British Colonial Office cut its long-term connection with Brunei. The British Hig Commissioner in Brunei, no longer called the British Resident, henceforth would deal with the Secretary of State for Commonwealth.

When the Labour Government took office in October 1964, it became clear that sooner or later they would withdraw their forces from east of Suez. This would jeopardise Brunei's secure position as a protectorate. British advisers pressed the Sultan to hasten the implementation of constitutional reforms so that there could be a democratic government in place. In March 1965, a second general election was held for District and Legislative Councillors. 36 candidates contested for 10 LegCo seats in the 21-member LegCo that would comprise six ex-officio members and five members nominated by the Sultan. 88 candidates fought for seats in four District Councils. A large number of candidates contesting under political parties were defeated by independents because the political parties were weak.

On 4 October 1967, Sultan Omar Ali, then aged only 53, abdicated in favour of his 21-year-old eldest son, Hassanal Bolkiah, born on 15 July 1946. It was a strategic move he made to buy time before a British withdrawal. I was invited to the coronation of his son in 1968. Protracted negotiations with the British on Brunei's future continued following the abdication. The Sultan, now the Seri Begawan, dragged out the discussions. He wanted his son to get familiar with the administration. Moreover, his son was only 21 years old. He deflected pressure to adpot the British adversarial Parliamentary system.

He argued with the British that he needed a few years for the young Sultan to learn the ropes and strengthen the domestic situation ahead of any constitutional changes. He bought time from 1963 to 1983, over 20 years, when the British finally withdrew, and determined stand taken by Sultan Omar Ali in the full knowledge that he was risking the future of his Sultanate if the British were to leave precipitately, he saved his dynasty, delayed majority rule before Brunei was ready, and he secured Brunei's continued defence by an agreement to pay for one British Gurkha battalion that would stay in Brunei under British control. A discreet British presence remained.

The Seri Begawan had preserved Brunei's oil wealth. He left the bulk of his country's reserves with the Crown Agents to manage. He was fortunate that Britain acted with responsibility. Most of all, the Seri Begawan played his hand with considerable skill. He pleaded for time to educate enough local Bruneians who could manage the administration of the country.

Way back in the 1960s, he and I had become close friends. He trusted me because I never took advantage of his friendship to ask for favours. On one occasion, he asked his sons to sit in when I met him and he told them that I was a friend who could be relied upon. He wanted the friendship between us to continue with his sons. It has. The close ties continue between the Sultan and his brothers with the present PM and other leaders of Singapore. Less than three years after independence, on 7 September 1986, he passed away. He was deeply mourned by the people of Brunei. They knew that he had saved their independence and are able to live as they wish, keeping their oil wealth. It was Sir Omar's statecraft. He built the infrastructure of state. By the 1980s, he had given the sultanate's 200,000 people a high per capita income of US$20,000, among the world's most privileged. He strengthened Brunei's Islamic institutions.

Sultan Omar Ali took calculated risks with courage. He had a keen sense of what was politically possible. During the 17 years from 1950 to 1967, he brought economic, social and political developments to Brunei. With two Five-Year Development Plans, he provided for an education system throughout the state. He built schools to teach English, gave scholarships to promising young students to study in overseas institutions. He provided school children with at least one free meal a day. Religious schools were given high priority. Hospitals, clinics were set up and dental services to schools were provided. He eradicated dysentery and malaria. He provided electricity for the whole state. He developed the roads and telecommunication systems. He reclaimed swamp lands and resettled people.

He set up the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment in 1961, which evolved into the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. The Currency Board was established in 1967. Sultan Omar Ali had ensured the survival of an independent Malay Muslim monarchy at the end of the 20th century. He had built a strong foundation before passing the mantle to his eldesty son. His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has guided Brunei since independence in 1984, a 25-year period, during which Brunei has progressed in material and social terms. The old Sultan would have been happy to know that an independent Sultanate in Brunei has progressed in the quarter century after independence. His son, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, has preserved his heritage. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has continued to expand the numbers of abler Bruneians who are educated abroad, and created a thicker layer of the higher educated and well-informed elite.

It was good for Brunei that at the time it became independent, the leader of ASEAN was President Soeharto of Indonesia. He knew that I was a good friend of the Seri Begawan. So he asked me to invite Brunei to join ASEAN. Brunei did join and became a member of the family of ASEAN states. This conslidated Brunei's sovereign status, especially when it was recognised by its neighbours. Joining ASEAN also reduced the dangers of conflict between Brunei and its neighbours.

The close friendship and mutual trust that the father established with me have continued in the leaders of the next generation. This is a special relationship. We are the two smallest countries in ASEAN. One natural area of cooperation is defence, where our two countries have a longstanding, deep and extensive relationship that goes backto 1976. There are extensive interactions between the two Defence Ministries andthe Armed Foces at all levels, from the Ministers to the younger officers.

All Singapore Prime Ministers and Ministers have scrupulously followed my policy of never taking advantage of our close friendships with the Brunei Royal Familiy, their Ministers and officials.

The two Armed Forces train together in Singapore and Brunei on a regular basis. They conduct seven joint exercises annually. The Singapore Armed Forces is particularly grateful for the opportunity to conduct some of its training in Brunei, given Singapore's land constraints.

RBAF officers and soldiers attend a wide range of military courses in Singapore, together with their Singaporean counterparts. These range from technical courses to Officer Cadet School and the Command and Staff Course. Likewise, SAF officers attend courses in Brunei, such as the Executive Development Programme and the RBAF Junior Staff Course. A recent addition is the Scholars Exchange Programme for scholars from the defence establishments of both countries before they depart for their studies. These exchanges have enabled the officers to enhance their military knowledge. More importantly, they get to know one another at a personal level. Such interactions provide the foundation for ensuring that relationship between our two armed forces remains strong in the coming years.

Another important area of collaboration is the Currency Interchangeability Agreement. In December 1964, a year after Malaysia was formed, the Malaysian government decided to terminate the Board of Commissioners of Currency and to issue a new currency for Malaya, Singapore and the Borneo territories, including Brunei. The Malaya-British Borneo Currency Agreement was terminated two years later. The Malaysian government in Kuala Lumpur declined Brunei's request that it be given a seat on the policy-making body. Also, Malaysia opposed Brunei's request that the portrait of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia should not appear on the new notes. Hence, Brunei enacted legislation in January 1967 to form its own Currency Board. Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore adopted a Currency Interchangeability Agreement, which allowed our currencies to be accepted interchangeably in the three countries. Although Malaysia withdrew from the Agreement in May 1973, Brunei and Singapore have maintained the arrangement till today. In June 2007, His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong celebrated the 40th anniversary of this Agreement and jointly launched two $20 polymer commemorative notes in Bandar Seri Begawan to commemorate the event. This Agreement reflects our long-standing friendship and mutual trust, and has deepened economic ties between Brunei and Singapore.

Singapore's leaders have continued the close ties with Brunei after my long association with the Seri Begawan and his sons. This association has endured and flourished because it is based on mutual respect and trust, and utmost good faith. Future generations of leaders and officials should build upon and enrich this special relationship.

The history of Brunei has been a most unlikely story of a Sultanate that has survived into the 21st century as an independent oil-rich state in a turbulent part of the world. Singapore and Brunei share fundamental similarities. I remember during one of the Seri Begawan's visits to Singapore after our independence, he had smiled broadly and, with his eyes twinkling and his moustache twitching, said "You are now like Brunei. It is better for you." As small states surrounded by bigger neighbours in an increasingly uncertain and complex world, we share similar aspirations and concerns. We can complement on our respective strengths to enhance our development and growth. Both bilaterally and multilaterally with our other partners in ASEAN, we can help ASEAN become an integrated, stable and thriving regional association at peace with one another and with our larger neighbours, including China and India.

------

Photos by Infofoto (c) 2009

p/s: I retyped all these text, if you spotted a mistake, please let me know.

Masjid SOAS in 70s

I scanned these images from Brunei Annual Report 1974 and 1977. Notice that only the dome of the Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Mosque is gold encrusted, the minaret was then in white.

scanned from Brunei Annual Report 1974

scanned from Brunei Annual Report 1977

rename of Bandar Brunei in 4th October 1970

(image from CNN online)

Bandar Seri Begawan, capital of Brunei Darussalam, used to be Bandar Brunei prior to 4th October 1970. It was renamed in commemoration of Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien who was well-known as 'The Architect of Modern Brunei'. Under the reign of Al-Marhum Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien, there were rapid economic, social and political development as he introduced the 5-year First National Development Plan in 1953.

Quoting from the Lower Secondary History Guide for Brunei Darussalam:

from p102:

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III was the first member of the royal family to suggest fact-finding visits to the rural villages. People began to respect and were confident in him. He also showed commitment towards improving the socio-economic standards and welfare of his people.

from p111:

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III directed his time and energy to nation-building which were reflected in the two National Development Plans.

His Royal Highness' greatest achievement was the signing of the 1959 Constitution Agreement*. The positions of the Malay Language and Islam were strengthened through his determination. The Malay Language was to be the State Official Language and Islam, the State Religion.

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III set up primary and secondary schools throughout the country to increase literacy. Scholarships for higher learning and overseas training were given to students.

In May 1961, The Royal Brunei Malay Regiment was set up. Brunei Currency Board issued its first currency note in 1967.

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III voluntarily abdicated in favour of his eldest son, Yang Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Seri Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota Hassanal Bolkiah on 4 October 1967.


-----
*On 29 September 1959, The Constitution Agreement was signed at the Lapau between Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III and Sir Robert Scott, the Commissioner-General for Southeast Asia.

The significance of the 1959 Constitution Agreement:

• The Sultan as Supreme Head of State.
• Brunei was responsible for its internal administration.
• The British Government was responsible for foreign and defence affairs only.
• The post of Resident was abolished and replaced by a British High Commissioner.
• A new post of Menteri Besar was created. (The First Menteri Besar was Pehin Dato Perdana Menteri Dato Seri Laila Utama Awang Haji Ibrahim bin Mohammad Jahfar)

Reference:
Lower Secondary History Guide for Brunei Darussalam, 2003, SNP Panpac.

Commemorative stamp

from Media Permata, 27th Sept, 2008:

13 cawangan pos kena serbu peminat setem

Oleh Hasrulraizan

Kalangan penggemar setem dan sampul surat hari pertama bersama kedua-dua cenderahati kenangan yang dibeli.
Pengiran Haji Muhammad (kiri) bersama penggemar lain sedang memilih pemegang kunci kenangan yang hendak dibeli.	Sekitar suasana kesibukan di kaunter Galeri Setem Pejabat Pos Bandar Seri Begawan.
Setem dan sampul surat hari pertama yang dipamerkan di Galeri Setem Pejabat Pos Bandar Seri Begawan.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Jumaat - Penggemar dan pengumpul setem dan sampul surat hari pertama tidak melepaskan peluang bagi mendapatkan setem dan sampul surat hari pertama keluaran khas sempena sambutan Jubli Emas Masjid Omar 'Ali Saifuddien hari ini.

Jabatan Perkhidmatan Pos membuka 13 cawangan pejabat pos mereka khas bagi penjualan kedua-dua cenderamata itu iaitu tujuh cawangan di daerah Brunei dan Muara, empat cawangan di daerah Belait dan masing-masing sebuah di daerah Tutong dan Temburong yang beroperasi dari pukul 8.15 hingga 11 pagi.

Semua cawangan itu ialah Pejabat Pos Bandar Seri Begawan, Pusat Memproses Mel dan Bungkusan Berakas, Pejabat Pos Seri Kompleks, Pejabat Pos Muara, Pejabat Pos Sengkurong, Pejabat Pos Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa, Pejabat Pos Kiulap, Pejabat Pos Belait, Pejabat Pos Seria, Pejabat Pos BSP, Pejabat Pos Lumut, Pejabat Pos Tutong dan Pejabat Pos Bangar.

Sehubungan itu Media Permata sempat meninjau suasana di Pejabat Pos Bandar Seri Begawan yang mula dikunjungi penggemar setem dan sampul surat hari pertama.

Seorang penggemar yang ditemu bual adalah Pengiran Haji Muhammad Pengiran Haji Tengah, 62, yang menyatakan mula mengumpul setem dan sampul surat hari pertama sejak tahun 60-an lagi iaitu ketika masih di bangku sekolah.

Setem dan sampul surat hari pertama yang paling beliau minati ialah mengenai keberangkatan lawatan Queen Elizabeth II ke Brunei pada tahun 1972 iaitu ketika beliau menuntut di Sekolah Menengah Pertama.

Beliau menceritakan minatnya timbul setelah mendapat galakan daripada guru yang pada ketika itu gemar mengumpul setem dan sampul surat hari pertama dan nyatanya kegemaran berkenaan berbaloi kerana menurutnya melaluinya kita dapat mengetahui sejarah penting yang berlaku di negara ini.

Menyentuh mengenai perbezaan setem dulu dan sekarang, beliau lebih gemar kepada setem dulu kerana unik iaitu hasil lukisan seorang pelukis yang tidak ramai suatu ketika dulu berbanding sekarang yang boleh digubah dengan menggunakan komputer melalui gambar yang sedia ada, namun tetap menghormati idea pencipta setem dulu dan sekarang yang sangat kreatif.

"Jika dulu hanya pejabat pos di Bandar Seri Begawan yang menjadi tumpuan namun, alhamdulillah kini sudah banyak cawangan pejabat pos di negara ini yang lebih memudahkan pelanggan," katanya.

Beliau berharap lebih ramai anak muda terutama pelajar menceburi bidang pengumpulan setem dan sampul surat hari pertama sepertinya kerana kegemaran sedemikian bukan saja boleh membantu mereka mengingati sejarah penting negara ini malah nilainya pula semakin tinggi dari sehari ke sehari dan bukannya berkurangan.

Sebanyak empat reka bentuk setem berkaitan dengan Masjid Omar 'Ali Saifuddien dikeluarkan dengan harga 50 sen sekeping ataupun $2 bagi satu set yang mengandungi keempat-empat reka bentuk.

Sampul surat hari pertama pula berharga 45 sen sekeping, manakala yang bersetem keempat-empat reka bentuk dijual pada harga $2.65 satu set, lembaran mini pula berharga $2 sekeping dan lembaran mini khas dijual pada harga $50 satu set.

Selain itu mug kenangan yang mempamerkan tiga gambar berbeza turut dijual dengan harga $10 seunit dan juga pemegang kunci yang mempamerkan empat reka bentuk berbeza dijual pada harga $2 setiap satu.

-------

My personal collection of commemorative stamps in conjunction with the Golden jubilee celebration of Omar 'Ali Saifuddien mosque:

the First Day Cover

miniature sheet with the special display card

the Mosque in 1958 (scan from 1959 Brunei Annual Report)

the Mosque in Sept 2008

A stroll in the Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque

The weather yesterday was so perfect for outdoor shooting. So, I went to the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque - the landmark of our beautiful country. The mosque is now in the final stages of touching up for the Golden Jubilee celebration this Friday, 26th Sept:

neon lights to lighten the lagoon

the glittery dome

the plaque commemorating the opening of the mosque 50 years ago

FDC New Mosque 1958

I wonder why the First day cover of Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Mosque was released on 24th September on 1958, instead of 26th September, where the mosque was officially opened by Al-Marhum Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien,(28th Sultan of Brunei) on 26th September 1958.

And there are a number of different FDC envelopes for this issue. The first one states 26th Sept, the second and third ones are 24th Sept 1958.

Anyone of you know why is this so?

historic dates

Di antara tarikh-tarikh yang bersejarah Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien yang menjadi ristaan dan kenangan hingga ke hari ini:

Tarikh	Peristiwa berlaku	Diisytiharkan sebagai
23 September 1914	Diputerakan di Istana Kota, Kampong Sultan Lama, Bandar Brunei	Diisytiharkan sebagai Hari Guru
31 September 1951	Dipuspakan menjadi Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam ke-28	Diisytiharkan sebagai Ulang Tahun Penubuhan Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei
26 September 1958	Pembukaan rasmi Masjid Omar Ali Saifuddien, Bandar Brunei	-
29 September 1959	Pemasyhuran Perlembagaan Bertulis Negeri Brunei, di Lapau (lama), Bandar Brunei	Diisytiharkan sebagai Hari Perkhidmatan Awam

Reference

Buku program Pameran Majlis Ilmu 2007

Special commemorative stamps

SNEAK PREVIEW:

The Postal Services Department is issuing a set of commemorative stamps in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Mosque next Friday (26th Sept 08). (These pictures are taken from the poster itself, I apologise they look rather funny.)

The High Value Miniature sheet (as the name suggests, it is costly), selling for B$50.00

the first day cover, set of four 50c stamps (B$0.50 x 4 = B$2.00) plus the envelope (B$0.45??)

the Miniature sheet, B$2.00 (i personally think this is a good souvenir or gift for tourists)

So, wake up early next Friday and buy this rare commemorative issue. :-)

Hotline of Bandar Post Office: 2222191, 2222784

gearing up...

The magnificient Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque is gearing up for the Golden Jubilee celebration. It was officially opened by Almarhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien half a century ago, 13 Rabiulawal 1378 corresponding to 26 September 1958.

the construction of the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque began in 4th February 1954
(image from Brunei Resources blog)

a replica of a 16th century royal barge or "Bahtera" is built in the middle of the lagoon

the minaret is 54 metres tall

renovation works started early this year

References
Brunei in brief, Information Department, 2007.

Brunei Resources blog (The Mosque in the Capital City, 17 June 2007)
http://bruneiresources.blogspot.com/2007/06/mosque-in-capital-city.html