Congratulation on your wedding Sriwedary

Alhamdulillah, we are happy to announce the coming wedding of Sriwedary, daughter of Hajah Munah (eldest daughter of Sharifah Hajah Gayah binti Sheikh Haji Umar) and the late Hj Muali to Mr. Aryan Adrian Abdullah on Saturday, 5th September 2015 at Banting, Labuan, Malaysia. May the couple be blessed with a life full of happiness, healths and prosperity - and compassions of Allah Subhanahu Wataala.

Majlis Bertahlil Bagi Allahyarham Haji Abdul Latif bin Muhammad

Alhamdulillah, our family members and close relatives were able to gather for the Majlis Bertahlil, a religious event held by Muslims where prayers to Allah Subhana Wataala are recited to get his blessing and compassion for the beloved departeds. A similar event was held on Saturday, 29 August 2015 for the late Allahyarham Haji Abdul Latif bun Muhammad who passed away 3 years ago. May Allah blesses his soul and places him amongst His devoted servants, Amin Ya Rabbal Alamin.

The Call for Prayer (Azan Magrib and Isya) was recited by Muhammad Muharto Ali Subaroto, from Labuan. He is great grandson of Sharifah Hajah Gayah binti Sheikh Haji Umar. Followed by the Magrib Prayer led by Mohammad Harith Haji Zinal Abadin (Grandson of Sharifah Hajah Sino binti Sheikh Haji Umar). After the Magrib Prayer, the attendees then read the Ratib Al-Attas and the Surah Yassin. After the Isya Prayer led by Awang Helmi ( a family friend) - the Majlis Bertahlil was held.

Awang Helmi (white shirt) and Harith (in black shirt) leading the recitation of Ratib Al-Attas

Late comers performing the Magrib Prayer led by Dato Paduka Haji Yunos (eldest son of Sharifah Hajah Edah binti Sheikh Haji Umar)

From left (Zahid Sofian); Zinal Abadin (seated on couch), Aizat Anas, Muhammad Muharto, Helmi, Harith, Aiman Anas and Awangku Muiz.

Sharifah Hajah Sino binti Sheikh Haji Umar overseeing the foods at the function

Hjh Siti Hani

A very happy looking Abdul Wakeel (great grandson of Sharifah Hajah Edah Sheikh Haji Umar)

The Bertahlil

The resting place of the late Allahyarham Haji Abdul Latif bin Muhammad (May Allah bestowed his blessings and compassion upon him).

Belated 69th Birthday of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei Darussalam celebrated the 69th birthday of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, on August 15 with pomp, gaiety and pride. Actual date was 15th July and delayed in view of the month of Ramadan and Eid Celebration that started on 18th July.

Haji Mohammad Anas Haji Abdul Latif (son of Sharifah Hajah Sino Banamah) and wife at the HM Birthday Parade held on 15th August 2015 at the Padang Sir Omar Ali Saifuddien, Bandar Seri Begawan.

Hajah Siti Norhayati Haji Abdul Latif (Left) and elder sister Hajah Siti Hani (both daughters of Sharifah Hajah Sino Banamah) at the same parade.

All the main streets in Bandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Belait, Pekan Seria, Pekan Tutong and Pekan Bangar have already been decorated with arches, billboards, decorative lights and banners and more are being added to enrich the celebratory mood.

Building premises and its surroundings have been decorated with arches and national flags, colourful lamps and banners in a variety of patterns and hues.

Arches and billboards carry prayers for the ruler such as Allah Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara; Allah Lanjutkan Usia Baginda Sultan Dalam Iman dan Takwa; Lanjutkan Usia Baginda Sultan, Memerintah Dengan Petunjuk Allah; Allah Lanjutkan Usia Baginda Sultan, Memerintah Dengan Adil Lagi Bijaksana; Ya Allah, Lanjutkan Usia Baginda Sultan, Memimpin Negara Makmur Sejahtera and Ya Allah, Lanjutkan Usia Kebawah Duli Sultan, Kekal Qarar Memerintah Negara.

Closer look at Durian - courtesey of Wilkipedia

The durian is the fruit of several tree species belonging to the genus Durio. The name 'durian' is derived from the Malay-Indonesian languages word for duri or "spike", a reference to the numerous spike protuberances of the fruit, together with the noun-building suffix -an. There are 30 recognised Durio species, at least nine of which produce edible fruit.Durio zibethinus is the only species available in the international market: other species are sold in their local regions.

Regarded by many people in southeast Asia as the "king of fruits",^[5] the durian is distinctive for its large size, strong odour, and formidable thorn-covered husk. The fruit can grow as large as 30 centimetres (12 in) long and 15 centimetres (6 in) in diameter, and it typically weighs one to three kilograms (2 to 7 lb). Its shape ranges from oblong to round, the colour of its husk green to brown, and its flesh pale yellow to red, depending on the species.

The edible flesh emits a distinctive odour that is strong and penetrating even when the husk is intact. Some people regard the durian as having a pleasantly sweet fragrance; others find the aroma overpowering and revolting. The smell evokes reactions from deep appreciation to intense disgust, and has been described variously as rotten onions, turpentine, and raw sewage. The persistence of its odour has led to the fruit's banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in Southeast Asia.

The durian, native to Southeast Asia, has been known to the Western world for about 600 years. The nineteenth-century British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace described its flesh as "a rich custard highly flavoured with almonds". The flesh can be consumed at various stages of ripeness, and it is used to flavour a wide variety of savoury and sweet edibles in Southeast Asian cuisines. The seeds can also be eaten when cooked.

There are hundreds of durian cultivars; many consumers express preferences for specific cultivars, which fetch higher prices in the market.

Durian at flowering stage

A small fruiting durian tree at a durian orchard in Malaysia.  Some durian trees especially the old varieties can grow up to 50 meters.

A Utak Nangalah (literally translated from Malay as 'the brain of freshwater prawn' due to its color).  Very popular and sought after variety in Brunei.

Durians hanging from a branch. Durians took around 100 days to mature from the flowering stage.

Durian Season is here again

Alhamdulillah, durian season is here again in Brunei Darussalam. The 'Either you like it or you don't' king of fruits are mostly imported from neighbouring states of Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia. As this article is written, the price is still on the high side but expected to lower soon. Photos below were taken during the writer trip to Sipitang, a small town fronting the South China Sea in Sabah about 90 minutes drive from the Brunei District of Temburong.

The King of the Kings - the Musang King, selling around Malaysian Ringgit 40 to 50 a kilo. Very soft and juicy.

A rather choppy water off Sipitang. Photo taken from a popular eating place for stay.

Mohammad Aiman Haji Mohammad Anas (grandson of Sharifah Hajah Sino Banamah) ordering BBQ Chicken Wing from one of the numerous stalls.

The ever-famous Brunei Satay sold in Sipitang. Very cheap at 80 Malaysian cents a stick (mutton) and 70 cents for chicken.

Durian galore. This so called 'white durian' (durian putih) was RM10 a kilo (bargained down to just RM8 a kilo)

The so called Basket Durian - sold for RM25 a basket. As the durians offered are 'post-selections' - the qualities varied. But if you are lucky - they are as good as those being sold by weight.

Mohammad Aiman enjoying his BBQ Chicken Wings lunch.

Ngah Gait (Sharifah Hajah Tom binti Sheikh Haji Umar bin Sheikh Haji Abdullah Banamah

Assalamualaikum. Taking this opportunity to introduce the second youngest daughter of Sheikh Haji Umar, Madame Sharifah Hajah Tom, seen here with husband Haji Abu Bakar Haji Sirat and their children.  Sharifah Hajah Tom is fondly called by her nickname Ngah Gait. I suspected the nickname comrs from her school days' participation in the Girl Guide Asscociation. She is a retired business woman. She spent most of her career running a clothing store in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Photo below: Ngah Gait @ Sharifah Hajah Tom  (centre, beige scarf) in a group photo of family members made up of sister (Sharifah Hajah Sino - wearing light blue scarf), children, nephews/nieces, grandchildren and others. Photo taken on return after performing the Umrah (Mini Haj) in April, 2015.

Nuraini Kamarudin & family

Alhamdulillah, we managed to obtain a family Eid Fitri photo of our niece Nuraini (back row carrying her youngest son) and husband (in white cap).  Although from Labuan, they spent the first day of the Eid in Kunak (a small town in Sabah, Malaysia).

Eid Fitri at Island Garden, Labuan

Just some photos of uncle and auntie Saffian and Salmah (daughter of the late Sharifah Mariam binti Sheikh Haji Abdullah Banamah), and their family celebrating the Eid 2015.

Eid Fitri in Singapore

Our Banamah cousins in Singapore enjoying the end of Ramadan festivity (The Eidul Fitri). A day of smiles and seeking forgiveness with one another, and enhancing friendship and brotherhood. Alhamdulillah.

Aslinah Mahmood with husband Dzul and their nephew.

Encik Ariffin Mahmood, wife and their pretty daughter

Cousin Mahmood's grand children. 

Khusaini (backrow by the door in maroon with his lovely family and guests

Khusaini, Nurul and family

Memories of Yesteryear - how's they have all grown.

Photo taken almost 16  years ago during Aiman Anas' Birthday.

From left: Siti Farah Diyana, Aiman, Qistina, Amalina, Zarifdana, Mohammad Kamarul, Yasmin, Hamizah, Fatimah Azzahraa, Nur Aqila (top corner right)

Congratulation on soft opening of Amsarra Restaurant

We would like to congratulate Pg Saiful (son in law of Haji Abdullah bin Tengah) on the occassion of soft opening of the latest branch of  his chain of Arabic restaurant. Amsarra is located at the Airport Mall, Berakas serving varities of delicious kebabs and shawarmas.

Photo below: Pg Saiful (behind the counter) in black t-shirt with glasses greeting his guests 

Another Family Gathering at the Mohammad Stewarts' Residence on 1st August 2015, at Sungai Hancing