Brunei Darussalam and other Muslim countries throughout the world will celebrate the Maulidur Rasul or the birthday anniversary of the Great Prophet Muhammad Salallahualahi Wassallam on Thursday.

Some 50 thousand people are expected to take part in gatherings in Brunei's four districts. As usual the focal point for the Brunei Muara district will be at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien in Bandar Seri Begawan.Prior to that day, several religious activities are being held nationwide to mark the celebration.

The Ministry of Education and the departments under it Monday night held a berdikir ceremony at the Kampung Salambigar Mosque. Among those present was the Minister of Education, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Aziz. Also joining the gathering were senior officers and staff under the Ministry of Education, students and teachers from the Institute of the Hassanal Bolkiah Tahfiz Alquran as well as the residents of Kampung Salambigar and its vicinity.

Meanwhile, several roads to the capital will be closed to the public in conjunction with the Maulidur Rasul celebrations. The Deputy Director of Traffic Investigation and Control Department, DSP Mohammad Irwan bin Haji Hambali, in a media conference Monday, said the roads will be closed on Thursday from 6.30 in the morning.

The affected roads are The T-junctions of Jalan Tutong to Jalan Dato Haji Basir and of Jalan Residency to Jalan Sungai Kianggeh; that of Jalan Tasek Lama to Jalan Stoney and of Jalan Sungai Kianggeh to Jalan Bendahara, Jalan Sungai Kianggeh to Jalan Elizabeth the Second as well as the T-junctions of Jalan Sungai Kianggeh to Jalan Pemancha and that of Jalan Sungai Kianggeh to Jalan Cator.

More contributions pour into the Tsunami Disaster Victims Fund. Monday, the Brunei Association of Banks donated more than 81,125 dollars to the fund.

The contribution was presented to the Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Dato Seri Utama Doctor Ustaz Haji Awang Mohd Zain, who is co-adviser of the Brunei Darussalam's Tsunami Victims Fund by the Chairman of the Brunei Association of Banks, Awang Haji Roselan bin Haji Mohd Daud.

Among those present at the function were the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Awang Haji Jemat bin Haji Ampal, Co-Chairman of the fund and the Director of the Community Development Department at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Datin Hajjah Adina, who's also the Secretary of the Relief Fund.The proceeds were collected from donation boxes located at banks, shopping complexes and public buildings nationwide.

The public nowadays seems to be well aware of the hazard of chronic diseases such as Diabetes. Rural residents like those of Mukim Liang who are no exception in the health-conscious society, thronged the Liang Lumut Recreation Club where a diabetic screening has been held.

The annual campaign organised by the Suri Seri Begawan Hospital in Kuala Belait is aimed at allowing the public to know their health status by undergoing such a test.During the campaign, the priority was to check one's hypertension and cholesterol levels, which,if left unchecked or uncontrolled, can lead to a stroke,

heart and kidney problems, with diabetic and obesity being of the third and fourth highest concerns.