Princess’ marriage to Dennis Muhammad steeped in Johor royal tradition

JOHOR BARU: Johor Princess Tunku Tun Aminah Sultan Ibrahim and Dutch-born Dennis Muhammad Abdullah were married today after their "akad nikah" (solemnisation of marriage) ceremony at Istana Bukit Serene here.
The ceremony which was steeped in Johor royal tradition was witnessed by Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar and his consort Raja Zarith Sofiah Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah and close family members and friends.
Also present were the groom's parents, Martin and Henriette Verbaas, his brother and sister, as well as close family friends who had flown in from the Netherlands to be part of the wedding ceremonies.
Dennis Muhammad, looking handsome in a traditional "Baju Melayu Teluk Belanga", solemnly affirmed his marriage to Tunku Aminah before the State Mufti, Datuk Muhammad Tahrir Shamsudin.
The groom was then led to a special room on the first floor of the palace where the "Istiadat Menyarung Cincin" (ring ceremony) was performed, during which he placed the wedding ring onto Tunku Aminah's fourth right finger.
He also gave her a "mas kahwin" or dowry of the sum of RM22.50. The couple then jointly paid their respects by kissing the hands of both their parents, as well as their aunts and uncles in the main lobby of the palace.
The families of the bride and groom had earlier also exchanged "hantaran" (dowry) comprising trays laden with gifts which were carried into the hall by Johor Military Force personnel.
The gifts from the Johor Royal Family to the groom included an Al-Quran, prayer mat, gold ring, a set of traditional "baju Melayu Teluk Belanga" and "sampin", Sirih Junjung, a cake, the traditional "Halwa Maskat" dish and "Bunga Rampai".
Earlier, during the engagement ceremony, retired State Secretary Datuk Ismail Karim, in his role as the foster father of Dennis Muhammad, formally requested for Tunku Aminah's hand in marriage from her father, Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.
Following this, Dennis's mother, Henriette, put an engagement ring on Tunku Aminah's fourth right finger. The royal wedding ceremony will continue tonight with the 'Istiadat Bersanding" (sitting-in-state) ceremony at the Istana Besar (Grand Palace) here at 8pm at Istana Besar, which will be attended by 1,200 guests.