To underscore the achievements of the Muslim communities, a special talk was delivered yesterday during a mass gathering for some 100 women from various government agencies, village consultative councils and associations during Prophet Muhammad’s birthday celebration held at the Belalong Main Hall, Belalong Complex, Temburong District. The talk was facilitated by Dr Haji Ismuhadi bin .
BRIDGETOWN (BARBADOS), Feb 28 (NNN-BGIS) — Barbadian and Caribbean filmmakers have been encouraged to develop their own product to tell the story of the region and its contribution to the hemisphere.
The call came from Barbados Minister of Community Development and Culture, Steve Blackett, who cited the success of African and Indian movies as products, which have developed their own niche market.
Speaking at the opening of the Caribbean Tales Film Festival Symposium in Barbados, he pointed out that in a short space of time the term “African movie” has become accepted in the Barbadian vernacular.
The Culture Minister noted that while the majority of these films were mass-produced, there was no doubt of their popularity among Barbadian viewers.
“Could it be that this popularity is sparked by the fact that they give Barbadians an opportunity to see themselves reflected on the screen? That they allow them to see situations which are often reminiscent of their own reality – the interaction between family members, between neighbours, for instance?” he asked.
Blackett also maintained that seeking to attract American audiences should not be the primary goal of Caribbean film producers.
“We in the Caribbean [must] develop our own idiom. Our product must be easily identifiable… I am not sure that it would be a practical approach to try to reach the whole American market. Is such a goal attainable? Would we have the money to invest in such an undertaking?” he asked.
According to the Culture Minister, within the wider market there are many persons of African descent who would be able to relate to Caribbean films and would be willing audiences.
He added that regional filmmakers should not be limited to the feature film Hollywood blockbuster model to recount the history of Caribbean people, but could utilise documentaries, docu-dramas, and television mini-series.
“The story of the people of the Caribbean has never been adequately told… Our filmmakers must document the story of the contribution which we in the region have made to the development, not only of this hemisphere, but also to the development of Europe,” Blackett opined.
It is for this reason, he suggested, that his Ministry has sought to have the historic city of Bridgetown and its Garrison inscribed on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List.
“We see that there is an imbalance that needs to be redressed. We have to start first of all by telling a balanced story of the region to ourselves, [and] to our young people, because we have been languishing for too long in an atmosphere of insecurity and inferiority,” the Culture Minister stressed.
Blackett also revealed that the Cultural Industries Development Legislation would shortly be finalised and will address the provision of incentives to make investments in areas such as film worthwhile. — NNN-BGIS
The lowering of the national flag at the open area of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation Complex in the capital was yesterday officiated by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Jemat bin Haji Ampal. Royal Brunei Navy personnel gathered to lower the 3.7 metre by .
The Harley Owners Group Brunei (HOGB) attended the launching of Belia Cinta Tanah Air or Youth Love The Nation Programme in Penanjong recently. The programme was held in conjunction with the nation’s 26th National Day. According to HOGB Secretary Malek Hamdani, around 15 bikers joined the launching ceremony. “They rode from the Serambangun Community Hall .
The department of Museums recently launched a new publication entitled ‘Featherstars’, which is aimed at highlighting the remarkable underwater ecosystems surrounding Brunei Darussalam, during the officiation of the International Book Fair. The book which was co-authored by David Brown and Mike Moroney was launched by the Minister of Culture Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya .
The management of Sumbangsih Mulia held a dikir ceremony last night, at the ground floor of its premises at the Beribi Light Industrial Area in Gadong. The chairman of Sumbangsih Mulia, Pehin Dato Paduka Goh King Chin said the event was held in conjunction with the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Some 108 people comprising .
NAIROBI, Feb 28 (NNN-KBC) — President Mwai Kibaki Saturday assured Kenyans and religious organizations in the country that the new Constitution shall not contain sections that contradict biblical teachings and long-held social values.
President Kibaki made the assurance at the Nakuru Showground during the installation and ordination of Father Maurice Muhatia Makumba as the new Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru.
He expressed confidence that the country was about to attain a new constitutional dispensation which would lay a firm foundation for a prosperous, stable and democratic country while also assuring of his personal commitment towards the passage and enactment of a new constitution.
The President declared that he had faith in the current Parliament to protect important values that hold the Kenyan society glued together and in tandem with God’s teachings during the enactment of the new constitution.
Earlier while enthroning the new Bishop, the Archbishop of Nairobi John Cardinal Njue stated categorically that the envisaged Constitution must not contradict the laws of God and must uphold the sanctity of life.
Noting that he supported the stand espoused by the Cardinal and the church in general President Kibaki noted that the country must seize the existing opportunity to enact a new constitution after many years many elusive years.
He further asked Christians to pray for the country and its leadership to enable them steer the nation into high heights of development and desist from pursuing negative and divisive agendas.
During the colourful occasion, President Kibaki assured that the Government appreciates the role of religious organizations in promoting national development and social harmony.
He reaffirmed that the role played by the Church as the custodian of moral integrity complement’s Government’s efforts of eradicating social vices.
The President noted that the war against vices such as crime and corruption cannot be won by the Government alone adding that other stakeholders such as the church, civil society and the media must play their distinctive roles in building a virtuous society founded on truthful religious values and the rule of law.
The Head of State reaffirmed that the Government values the views of religious leaders and at all times remained committed to holding frank consultations aimed at serving the Kenyan citizens better.
He commended the church for its unwavering commitment to the promotion of moral values and urged other institutions to emulate the example set by the religious bodies of encouraging ethical behaviour among the youth.
With regard to national unity the President urged the church to promote social harmony through preaching the Christian doctrine of reconciliation and forgiveness.
President Kibaki congratulated the installed Bishop and prayed for God’s blessings and mercies upon his life as he embarked on the selfless task of serving both God and mankind.
Leading the colourful ceremony attended by Catholic Bishops and worshippers from all parts of the country, John Cardinal Njue termed Bishop Muhatia an envoy of God who must at all times be ready to fulfill the will of God by going where and doing whatever he is ordered to.
Cardinal Njue urged the new Bishop to embrace reconciliation as the message of evangelization in the region that acted as an epi-centre of the post election conflict and strive to break all barriers of peaceful co-existence among local communities.
The Cardinal urged all Christians in the country to pray without ceasing for national unity and the laying of a firm foundation for the current and future generations.
He further asked the new Bishop to be a good shepherd of the God’s flock and at all times strive to love and protect the weakest in the society without fear because the favour of God is upon him.
The Cardinal also urged the Nakuru Catholic faithfuls to pray and support their new Bishop irrespective of his cultural background and instead to position themselves to receive God’s blessing as a united family.
He advised the youth in the country, whom he said are the majority population in the country, to refuse being used as instruments of violence by selfish leaders and to at all times shun political exploitation.
Cardinal Njue said, “Avoid issues that make you frustrated and disappointed. You are on transition and have a mission to accomplish in your lifetime in order to attain self fulfillment”
Former President Mr. Daniel arap Moi urged Christians allow the the gospel of Christ to dwell in their hearts and strive to be the salt of the world by promoting peace in their neighbourhoods.
The former President said he attended the ceremony to share joy in the installation of a new bishop in the diocese and petitioned all communities living in the vast province to co-exist harmoniously. — NNN-KBC
Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Primary School organised a five-in-one event last Thursday, at the school’s main hall. The event, which was held in conjunction with Brunei Darussalam’s 26th National Day, also marked the start of the school’s subject month for General Paper, Religious Knowledge, MIB and Social Studies. The highlight of the event was .
\ The Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) Brunei, Danny Quah and his wife Florence Quah, yesterday hosted a Chinese New Year open house gathering at the Bank’s Residence in Kg Sungai Besar to usher in the auspicious Year of the Tiger. Among the distinguished guests seen at the open house were the .
WASHINGTON, Feb 28 (NNN-JIS) — A loan agreement for US$45 million (J$4 billion) was signed between the government of Jamaica and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) at its headquarters in Washington DC.
Minister of Finance and Public Service, Audley Shaw, signed on behalf of the Jamaican Government, while IDB president, Luis Alberto Moreno, signed on behalf of the bank.
Shaw explained that the objective of the loan is to support the education transformation process, including both institutional and policy changes deemed necessary to improve the quality of services provided, as well as increase the performance efficiency and accountability of the Jamaican educational system.
He also pointed out that US$15 million of the amount will be used to provide some 2,000 additional classroom spaces, which are critically needed.
He said that Jamaica welcomed the assistance from the IDB, as it will go a long way in supporting the Government’s efforts to reform the education sector.
Moreno responded that the IDB was pleased to support and finance the Government’s education sector reform project.
He commended the Jamaican Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, on his steadfastness in addressing a number of fiscal challenges which, he said, will help the country achieve its long-term development goals.
Accompanying Shaw at the signing were Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Anthony Johnson; Governor of the Bank of Jamaica, Brian Wynter; and Financial Secretary, Dr Wesley Hughes. Also present was the IDB’s Executive Director for the region, Winston Cox, and Alternative Executive Director, Ambassador Richard Bernal.
Shaw also signed a US$200 million loan agreement with the World Bank, in Washington.
“This loan will support the Government’s comprehensive reform programme, to address fiscal and debt sustainability,” Shaw explained, at the signing ceremony,at the World Bank’s headquarters.
The initiative is a co-ordinated effort by multi-lateral development banks and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help the Jamaican government sustain its long-term development agenda.
Shaw pointed out that the loan will assist in increasing the efficiency of the public financial management and budgetary process, as well as increase tax revenues through improved tax administration.
“The government of Jamaica is deeply appreciative to the World Bank for its support for the country’s reform programme, together with support from other international development partners,” the Minister said.
“We are implementing a comprehensive reform programme, to put the country back on a sustainable path and achieve significant growth over the medium term,” he added.
Signing on behalf of the World Bank, Director for the Caribbean region,Yvonne Tisikata, said that despite the severe impact of the global crisis, Jamaica remains committed to a long-term reform agenda, and has taken critical measures to advance key public sector reforms.
“The fiscal responsibility framework, the comprehensive debt exchange, the public bodies rationalisation plan and the tax administration reform, are far-reaching and, if fully implemented, will generate large benefits for the Jamaican people,” she stated. The loan is repayable over 30 years. — NNN-JIS
