On behalf of my family, and all my colleagues at the High Commission, I wish a joyous Hari Raya to His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam; members of the Royal Family and all the people of the “Negara Zikir”.
My Foreign Secretary, William Hague, who was here in Brunei in April, shared Ramadan greetings with Muslims in Britain and around the world. He called Puasa “a special period of reflection, contemplation and consideration of others. The values of charity and compassion that are central to Ramadan are shared by Muslims and non Muslims alike,” he said.
That encourages me to share with you my own Ramadan experience. This year, the Holy Month has coincided with my nation’s hosting of the 2012 Olympic Games. That coincidence held some disadvantages for Muslim athletes, I realise; and for anyone fasting during the long summer days in our northern latitude. Here in Brunei, however, the eight hour time difference meant that some of the best live action from the Olympics took place in the early hours of the morning, when many of my Muslim friends were awake anyway. Having adopted some of their nocturnal habits for the duration of the Games, I have felt a special bond with devout, bleary-eyed sports lovers across the country.
And what a show it was! A triumph for Britain certainly, but equally a triumph for Brunei. Both our nations achieved “personal bests”. Britain showed its special talent for blending tradition and innovation, to produce a spectacle which was rooted in history, but open to the future: the greenest, most sustainable, and most inclusive Olympics of all time. For Brunei, the skilful work of His Majesty’s government and the National Olympic Council delivered the right athletes to the Games. They did their country proud, with two national records and personal bests in the pool and on the track. When Maziah carried your flag out into that cauldron of noise at the Opening Ceremony my heart almost burst with pride, for Britain and for Brunei.
That joy will carry us forward into Hari Raya, where we have yet another powerful coincidence – between Brunei’s national festival and the Paralympic games in UK. The party is not over. Brunei has a Paralympian to be proud of too – competing in the javelin. In fact, Brunei’s inclusive approach to sport gives the Sultanate an important voice in the Paralympic movement. So I confidently expect the Paralympic Games, which run from 29 August to 9 September, to be an integral part of our amazing 2012.
Beginning with the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, which reinforced the already adamantine bonds between Britain and Brunei, 2012 has been a special year indeed. And one word stands out, weaving together the Jubilee, the Olympics, the Paralympics and Hari Raya itself. That word is joy.
Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri! Maaf Zahir dan Batin.