Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien | |
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Padang Besar | |
![]() Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien was decorated for the National Day in 2023 | |
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Type | Urban park |
Location | Pusat Bandar, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei |
Coordinates | 4°53′22″N114°56′29″E / 4.8894486°N 114.9414580°E |
Etymology | Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III |
Managed by | Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation [a] |
Parking | On site (no charge) |
Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien is a historical urban park, located in the Pusat Bandar of Bandar Seri Begawan, [2] where significant state ceremonies are held, including the Sultan's birthday celebrations, [3] [4] National Day, [5] the National Musabaqah Al-Quran, [6] and the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, [7] among others. Formerly known as Padang Besar, [b] [9] the park underwent renovations in 1983 and was renamed in honour of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III. This site holds historical importance, as it was the location of Brunei's declaration of independence reading on 1 January 1984. [10]
Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien is located across from the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in the capital of Brunei. [11] [12] Other notable buildings surrounding the field include the Secretariat Building [13] and the Community Hall. [14]
During the 1960s, Padang Besar served as the hub of Brunei Town's public life, drawing people of all ages for state functions, football games, and national festivities, such as the birthday of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III. State officials, schoolchildren, and security personnel were among the participants. Families were able to take part in the festivities together with traditional puppet performances presented by the Department of Information, while local youth, students, and guest artists provided entertainment in the evenings. [15]
The 10 metres (33 ft)-tall Cendera Lambang Kenangan was built especially for the silver jubilee celebration of Brunei Town's renaming as Bandar Seri Begawan. [c] This memorial insignia, presented by the Brunei Shell Company, cost about $60,000 and is located within the park. Arkitek Idris contributed its design while working with regional engineers. This magnificent building, which bears the inscription "Bandar Seri Begawan 1970 - 1995," was built to add a three-dimensional garden aspect to the cityscape. [17]
The entrance arch to the park was built around 1980. It is located next to Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien, near the Timepiece Monument. Initially, the arch was constructed from wood and coloured plywood. In 1990, it was renovated and rebuilt using concrete materials. [18]
The inaugural Pupils' Day took place in 1968 in Padang Besar, with Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf, the acting Menteri Besar of Brunei, presiding over the occasion. Students from all four districts participated in dances, cultural shows, and exhibitions during this event, which took the place of the previous Education Week. In August, the field organised festivities to commemorate the coronation of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, in which all schools took part. [19]
At exactly 00:01 on 4 October 1970, Brunei Town was legally renamed Bandar Seri Begawan. The statement was made by Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf, the Menteri Besar, during a ceremony held in Padang Besar. In commemoration of this milestone, Besar Sagap composed a song named "Ibu Kota Nan Indah" with lyrics by Abdul Wahab Mohamed. [20]
On 1 January 1984, at midnight, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah declared Brunei to be an independent nation. [21] Three booming cries of "Allahuakbar," [22] led by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, signalled the start of the Takbir . The approximately 30,000 spectators who had assembled at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien broke into deafening celebrations. [23] Along with the rhythmic beats of hadrah drums and 21-gun salute, [24] the phrases "ALLAHU AKBAR" and "MERDEKA NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM 1984," printed in both Jawi and Roman letters, lighted up the park. The proclamation was followed by a prayer of gratitude from Brunei's Mufti. On this occasion, Brunei formally left the British protectorate and became a Melayu Islam Beraja with complete sovereignty, the Sultan now having the last say in foreign affairs. [25]
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah formally declared in a speech on 31 May 1988, that Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III's personal emblem will be replaced with his own. The First and Second Battalions of the Royal Brunei Land Force received the Units' Colours from the Sultan during the same ceremony, which took place in Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien, commemorating the event with military honour and custom. [26]
Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien was the 28th Sultan of Brunei, reigning from 1950 until his abdication in 1967 to his oldest son, Hassanal Bolkiah.
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The Ministry of Religious Affairs (MORA or MoRA; Malay: Kementerian Hal Ehwal Ugama, KHEU) is a cabinet-level ministry in the government of Brunei which is responsible for the propagation of Islam and its upholding as the state religion, as well as oversees the Islamic religious education in the country. It is currently led by a minister and a deputy minister, whereby the incumbents are Badaruddin Othman and Pengiran Mohammad Tashim respectively. The ministry is headquartered in Bandar Seri Begawan.
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The Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien College (SOASC), natively known as Maktab Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien (MSOAS), is a government boys' secondary school in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It is the first English secondary school in the country. The school is also one of the only three boys' secondary schools nationwide, with the other two being Muda Hashim Secondary School and Ma'had Islam Brunei. The school provides five years of secondary education leading up to GCE 'O' Level and IGCSE qualification.
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Pengiran Anak Damit was the Queen of Brunei as the wife of the 28th Sultan of Brunei, Omar Ali Saifuddien III.
Mohammad Jamil Al-Sufri bin Umar, pen name Wijaya, was a Bruneian aristocrat, historian and teacher who served as a member of the Royal Council, member of the Royal Succession Council, member of the Islamic Religious Council, and member of the Privy Council. He has also been referred to as the National Historian. He wrote works on the country's history, ancestry, customs and traditions, royal titles, Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB), education, writings on Brunei heroes, and other topics.
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Pengiran Muda Hashim was a Bruneian nobleman and politician who held several significant positions, including membership in the Privy Council, Legislative Council, and the Brunei Islamic Religious Council. As a member of the Bruneian royal family, he was the husband to Pengiran Anak Puteri (Princess) Besar, the daughter of Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam II. He was named Wazir in 1952 and served on the executive committee for the coronation ceremony of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, acting as Sultan during the late Sultan's foreign tours.
Yahya bin Haji Ibrahim, also known by his pen name Yahya M.S., Bruneian aristocrat, Syariah judge, poet, and politician. He served as the deputy minister of religious affairs from 1986 to 2005 and held several key positions in the Bruneian government throughout his career. Notably, he was the first vice president of the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) until 1975 and also a member of the Privy Council.
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