Dayangku Najibah Eradah

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Pengiran Ahmad Mahdi Al-Sufri is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Dayangku Najibah Eradah. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.

Dayangku Najibah Eradah binti Pengiran Ahmad Mahdi Al-Sufri (born 20 May 1983),^[1] also known as Brunei’s Polar Girl,^[2] is a teacher and environmentalist, who is the first Bruneian to have reached the South Pole.

Dayangku Najibah Eradah
دايڠكو نجيبه ايراده
Born	Dayangku Najibah Eradah binti Pengiran Ahmad Mahdi Al-Sufri (1983-05-10) 10 May 1983 (age 41) Brunei
Occupations	Teacher environmentalist explorer
Known for	First Bruneian to reach the South Pole
Spouse	Faierony Hazelin Mat Jair
Parents	Pengiran Ahmad Mahdi Al-Sufri (father) Pengiran Basmillah (mother)
Relatives	Pengiran Muda Abdul Kahar (grandfather) Pengiran Anak Idris (uncle) Pengiran Anak Kemaluddin (granduncle)

South Pole expedition

Era and seven other woman, each from a different Commonwealth country, were selected from among over 800 candidates to take part in the Kaspersky Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition, which reached the South Pole on 29 December 2009.^[3][4] Explaining her participation in the expedition, she said: "I am passionate about environmental issues and hope to use my involvement in the expedition to raise awareness in Brunei of global warming and climate change".^[5]

Bruneian media described her achievement as "a historic day for Brunei and a momentous day for the Sultanate's women". Saiful Ibrahim, Vice president of the Brunei Adventure Recreation Association, described her as "an icon for all Bruneians, especially for women and our youths".^[6] She has become known in Brunei as "the Polar Girl".^[7][8] Bruneian businesswoman Halina Taib stepped in to fund the trip, after there were financial difficulties.^[9]

Personal life

Era's father, Pengiran Ahmad Mahdi Al-Sufri, is a distant member of the royal family,^[2] while her mother, Pengiran Hajah Basmillah binti Pengiran Haji Abbas, is a diplomat.^[10] Additionally, she has an uncle and granduncle who maintain a close relationship with the royal family; respectively they are Pengiran Anak Idris and Pengiran Anak Kemaluddin.^[11] Formerly a mathematics teacher in secondary school, Era became a government officer at the Bruneian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.^[12]

Recognitions and awards

• Youth Outstanding Merit (2010)^[13]

See also

• Antarctic ice sheet

References

1. "Gema Takbir Idul Adha Bergema di Antartika" Voice of Al-Islam, December 1, 2009
2. "Dk Najibah Eradah". YES Inspire | Magazines. 29 February 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
3. "Women complete 562-mile ski journey to South Pole", Los Angeles Times, December 31, 2009
4. "First Cypriot to reach the South Pole" Archived 2010-01-02 at the Wayback Machine, Cyprus Mail, January 1, 2010
5. Era Al-Sufri Archived 2010-01-22 at the Wayback Machine on the official website of the Kaspersky Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition
6. "Era Becomes First Bruneian To Reach South Pole", Aziz Idris, BruDirect, December 31, 2009
7. "Polar Girl makes history" Archived January 3, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, Brunei Times, December 31, 2009
8. "Era Becomes First Bruneian To Reach South Pole", Aziz Idris, BruDirect, December 31, 2009
9. Sidhu, Jatswan S. (20 December 2016). Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-4422-6459-5.
10. "Royal audience to Brunei envoys". sultanate.com. 17 March 2006. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
11. "brunei9". www.royalark.net. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
12. "Women daredevils for Antarctic Expedition", Times of India, October 26, 2009
13. "HARIBELIA - penerima-anugerah". www.hbk.gov.bn. Retrieved 17 July 2023.