BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Brunei observed its seventh National Family Day with a series of festive activities including a mass cycling event participated by the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in the capital on Sunday.

The 11.49-km cycling route started off from Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien, trailing through major roads and back.

Besides the Sultan, other members of the royal family, government ministers, senior government officials and 545 personnel from the Ministry of Defense and Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) including their families also took part in the cycling event.

Another side event that the RBAF took part in was a friendly tug-of-war match against the Royal Brunei Police Force.

The National Family Day, celebrated on the first Sunday of May, is themed with "My Loving Family, Glorious Country" this year, which highlights the importance of a solid and harmonious family institution towards shaping a society and nation that is cohesive and peaceful.

This year's focus revolves around the issue of drug abuse and ways to address its implications that threatens the stability and well-being of families and society.

Haji Aminuddin Ihsan, Brunei's minister of culture, youth and sports said drug abuse has contributed to the increase in domestic violence, while threatening the stability and well-being of the family institution, which has been taken into account in the consolidation of family-based programs throughout the year.