Hari Raya Aidil Adha or Hari Raya Haji will be celebrated in Brunei Darussalam on the 21st of this month, corresponding to the 10th of Zulhijjah 1425 as announced earlier by Radio Television Brunei.

In a statement the Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Dato Dr Haji Mohd Zain, in his capacity as President of the Islamic Religious Council denied that the Council had made any changes whatsoever concerning the Hari Raya Haji date. Therefore, any such announcement relating to changes is untrue.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport has chaired a meeting aimed at discussing the format and other preparations for the upcoming 21st National Day celebration. In his address at the 3rd meeting of the event's Executive Committee, Pehin Dato Haji Awang Hussein said the field display for this year's celebration will be staged in accordance to the current situation without showing too much elation and joyousness, adding that several additional activities will be also held, including the hoisting of the large national flag and the distribution of small flags.

He went on to say that His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to the logo for the 21st National Day Celebration. The logo will be used in all celebrations pertaining to the National Day. He urged members of the public to be part of the celebrations by watching the field performances.

The Chairman of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation's Board of Directors, Pehin Dato Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin has received contributions towards tsunami victims from a number of donors. The Brunei Shell Marketing, donated a sum of 10 thousand dollars. Its Director Pengiran Yasmin bin Pengiran Haji Mohammad said the money is to cover the cost of fuel of RBA's aircraft to transport contributions from people in this country to the affected areas.

The foundation also received a sum of 3 thousand 500 dollars from the Women's Institute. A similar amount was also donated by the PDAC Ocean Sky Company. The Thafiz Al-Quran Institute of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah gave 2,700 dollars; one thousand dollars was received from Goh Brother and Goldsmith and seven hundred dollars from the Pusat Ehsan. The Ministry of Education contributed prayer mats and telekong, or praying attire for women, while Hajah Aminah binti Haji Mail donated copies of Al-Quran and booklets of Surah Yassin.

Speaking to RTB, Yang Berhormat Pehin said the foundation's humanitarian initiative with the cooperation of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, so far has successfully distributed the contributions aimed for the survivors of the tsunami in Aceh. Yang Berhormat said two initial RBAF's flights carrying food, clothes and other necessities have reached those who have been identified by the Foundation's officials and volunteers as victims of the disaster. He said it was heart-warming to know that the Royal Brunei Airlines has agreed to fly a cargo containing some 15 to 20 tonnes of goods collected by the foundation to Aceh, tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports said financial aid and rebuilding of schools and homes for the survivors of the tsunami disaster in Aceh are badly needed at the moment. Awang Jemat Ampal, who returned from Medan last Saturday, spoke to RTB and said that financial aid is more appropriate because it can be used to purchase all the necessities they required at a cheaper price, including stationary and books for children.

The money could also be used in the reconstruction of schools and houses. Awang Jemat disclosed that his ministry has established contact with representatives from Indonesia's Social Department who could help in the purchase and distribution of the necessary items. The Ministry he added also has the cooperation of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation which has set up a base in Medan. The Permanent Secretary went on to assure donors in Brunei Darussalam that their contributions will reach its destination.

The Director General of Public Services said the Executive Development Programme is an excellent opportunity for its participants to increase their knowledge and skills, and at the same time come up with creative, innovative and proactive ideas that can improve the organisation in which they operate. The skills gained during this course will be useful in implementing and evaluating certain policies and decisions in the workplace.

Awang Haji Saifon bin Haji Awang Besar was speaking at the opening of the course on Executive Development Programme Monday. This is the 9th such training programme and is sponsored by the Public Service Department and the Universiti Brunei Darussalam. The programme will teach participants contemporary approaches and practices to public policy, public management and governance in order to enhance understanding about the policy and organisational environments in which senior officer’s work.

A total of 23 participants, including senior officers from the Royal Brunei Police Force and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, will sit for the 16 week, full-time programme of study. This year will be the 2nd year that government officials from ASEAN member countries, namely Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar, join the programme.