Brunei: It’s rich, but slaps harsh laws on Christians
Brunei - last time we were there
In Southeast Asia, facing the South China Sea, the nation of Negara Brunei Darussalam – better known as Brunei, is wedged between the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah. Brunei was a British protectorate for almost one hundred years until independence in 1984. Brunei became a Muslim nation in the 15th Century after the conversion of Sultan Awang Alak Betatar (Sultan Muhammad Shah). The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei is very rich in oil and the sultan is one of the world's richest men. The government collects no taxes, but provides health care, pensions, education, and, for those without the means, assistance in making the Hajj to Mecca.
Difficult for Christians
Islamic Shari'a law in Brunei supersedes civil law and it regulates all of life. The national constitution states, "The religion of Brunei Darussalam shall be the Muslim religion.” Life is difficult for Christians in Brunei. Some have lost their jobs without any notice. Christians seeking opportunities for higher education must leave the country to access universities. Evangelism is strictly forbidden and some local Christians have been arrested and detained for planning outreach to the population. Christian based (expatriate) schools must give instruction in Islam to all students and are not allowed to teach Christianity. Recently a foreign English teacher simply prayed for blessings on a Malay family during the Eid al-Fitr celebrations (at the end of Ramadan) was given 48 hours to leave the country.
A number of Brunei Malays have believed over the years, but the very strict, conservative Islamic environment in Brunei is hardly conducive to any Muslim-background believer being open about their commitment. Indonesian Christian broadcasting is easily heard and understood in Brunei. Christian literature for personal purposes (not resale or distribution quantities) can be carried in from neighbouring Malaysia. It is not possible to buy Bibles or Christian books in Brunei. Two recognised churches exist. Both are closely watched by police with spies in nearly every meeting.
Prayer Points (from those ministering to Brunei):
* Pray for expatriate brothers and sisters who are serving in Brunei. Their situation is very sensitive. May their lives provide an example of Christ to those within their circle of influence.
* Pray for the Church throughout Brunei, that Christians will be a light to those within their immediate community. May the congregations welcome the presence of God in their worship and prayers. May they offer encouragement to all local believers while the Lord helps them to build meaningful relationships for the sake of the Kingdom.
* Pray for a stirring in the hearts among the people. May Jesus reveal Himself through dreams and visions. May God work in ways that only he can do to draw the people to himself.
* Pray for the royal family and their influence at every level: the Sultan’s ‘second’ wife, Azrinaz Makar Hakim, from Malaysia; Crown Prince Billah and his wife, Sarah. [Acts 16:31] The parliament is beginning to meet again after being closed for 20 years.
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Flag of Brunei
Background on Brunei (World Factbook)
The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in Asia.
Economics of Brunei
Brunei has a small well-to-do economy that encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for just over half of GDP and more than 90% of exports. The government provides for all medical services and free education through the university level and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration in the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion.
Statistics for Brunei
Population: 388,190 (July 2009 est.). World rank #176
Life expectancy at birth: 75.74 years. World rank #74
Ethnic Groups: Malay 66.3%, Chinese 11.2%, indigenous 3.4%, other 19.1%
Religions: Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, other (includes indigenous beliefs) 10%
Languages: Malay (official), English, Chinese
Literacy Rate: 92.7%
School life expectancy: 14 years
Brunei - Video
A Brunei photo story.
Err! hello. have you been to BRUNEI?? we live peacefully, there's alot of chinese here in Brunei which is not a muslim! and their live peacefully here and never been kicked yet! so, mind your language on this article. if you know nothing about how not muslim live here in Brunei Darussalam you better shut up. Dont ever ever write any BS about our peace country. Muslim and non-muslim are live happily and peacefully here!
Sorry for my harsh words, but i dont care because you write BS about my own country!!!!!!!
Asalamualaikum!
You are saying that Christians life are difficult in Brunei right? Where did you find all those untrue statements? Just simply listening from someone and then you believe the rumors and start spreading all the rumors through this internet without you knowing the truth? What if someone that told you about this fact lied to you? What if actually someone that told you about this fact is actually trying to take a revenge over Brunei and started saying this and that about that untrue fact to you? And you just simply believe it just because maybe she or he is someone that you know. As a Bruneian, I am really concerned about this. You shouldn't write this untrue fact especially using this modern technology. Just try to put yourself in this situation. Aren't you going to angry? I did! I really did. This statement will make others to hate Brunei if they didn't know the truth. I have friends from different kinds of religions, but they didn't even said rude things about Brunei. NEVER! They respect this country because we, as a the citizens respect them in return. Yes, there are only few churches in Brunei, because most of the population are Muslim, that's why. But we never stop the Christians from going to church. Just like in your country where churches are almost everywhere because most of you practiced Christians, and mosques, are rarely to be seen but the muslims never complained about this, just like what you did. Next time, before making any statements, search for the proves first. Don't jump into conclusion. This act is an act of uneducated people, where they believes every rumors that they heard without knowing truth. I am really sorry to say that, we, the Bruneians not only the Muslims but then the non-Muslim people are disappointed with you. We are sorry to say.
I am not exactly sure what the "lies" are supposed to be in this article. If I come to your country I can openly share about Jesus in the market, is that what you are saying? The article doesn't say that it is not allowed to be a Christian in Brunei. What exactly is the lie?
DUDE!!!
We Bruneians' have never disrespected anyone or any county on the internet or on any media.
If you have a problem with the way we Bruneians practice our religion, you clearly have a problem with Bruneians. If you have a problem, we can sit down and talk about it. Don't start yapping away on the internet as if you are a Bruneian, which is OBVIOUS to me that you're NOT, shame on you!!!! Get your facts right!!
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Oh wow.. what a load of c**p!
Research your articles before writing through the other side.
Compare to many other countries, Brunei is NOT one of the most tolerant Islamic states but THE most peaceful Islamic state where Muslims, Christians, Taoists et al all live together. Bibles can be bought in churches and there are at least four churches that I know with one protestant and one anglican in the Brunei Muara District and the same in the Kuala Belait district that I have been to.
I seriously urge you to either come and here visit us and see for yourself before making ignorant and defamatory statements about our country.
"Islamic Shari’a law in Brunei supersedes civil law and it regulates all of life. "
Sharia Law only affects Muslims. The Brunei Laws affects all others and is based on a written constitution and shares similarities to the English Legal System. That is why we have high court judges and appeal court judges sit that are from the UK and HK. Seriously, your skills at research is very lacking. I would refrain from writing until you refine them.
i see that you've deleted my comment. are you afraid to know the truth?you think that my comment is rude? what about you? you tell something false and lies about our country, don't you think that you are rude too?
Brunei is a very peaceful country. Chk out what others say:
Why we love Brunei
Expan Blog - Brunei
Community Brunei Forum
Wow. It's amazing there's only been a rush of comments from this month and not when your article was published. I guess that shows how well news travels in such a small community with lots of people who love the internet. Well it would seem that all I wanted to comment on has already been commented on. But I would still like to have my piece in this argument.
Thus far you have given us:
1/ loss of employment, cause being religion.
2/ limited education opportunities, cause being religion
3/ deportation, cause being religion
You have not given us (corresponding to each above point):
1/ unfairness at the workplace
- unequal opportunities for employment
2/ refusal to educate non-muslims
3/ violence against non-muslims
- dehumanizing actions against non-muslims
Because, we can be fair, no matter what religion. I cannot speak for all, but we can be, and we are fair. Religion can be a sensitive subject, but it is not. We do not go around spreading rumours about people because they are this or that religion.
We educate all, no matter what religion. It is true that schools have to teach about Islam as it is part of the official curriculum. But you are forgetting. Muslims have to go to an extra school in the afternoons, for even more education about Islam - another 3 or 4 hours per day worth of schooling that non-Muslims are not forced to go through. I like to think of teaching about Islam in the official curriculum as a way for some insight into our culture. Whatever the opinion, it is true that whoever one may be, failing this class will still get you to the next grade. What does that tell you about the nature of having these classes?
Lastly, again I cannot speak for all however, we do not wrong our neighbours because of the question of religion. In Brunei, where religious differences come in, cultural differences come in too. Islam is our culture. Our culture is kindness towards others, helping and caring when necessary. As with many cultures all around the world. I hope that one does not confuse cultural differences with religious differences though. They are two very different things, which have caused much bloodshed in our world.
I have left Brunei for some years to further my studies so I cannot tell you exactly, from first hand experience, what the situation in Brunei is right now, as perhaps many others have who commented before me have. But I have never heard even a whisper of a complaint from any non-Muslim friends about their lifestyle here.
There are some mixed feelings towards Brunei, being a Sultanate and all. We score very low when it comes to Voicing ourselves against the government. It is true, we are not a democratic country. It is true that we barely have elections. It is true, that religious flexibility for Brunei Malays is limited in the public sphere.
But it is also true that we love our Sultan and are grateful for his government. It is also true that we try to be democratic, fair, amongst our peers even as it is on a smaller scale. It is also true that we can be open minded people.
So, do not simply pray for the "sensitive" situation of the expats in Brunei, or simply for the Churches, or the royal family. Pray also that People, irrespective of their religions, may respect each other. That they may become lights of hope amongst themselves. I hope you would join me in praying too, that as People in Brunei, and outside Brunei, they may learn to think and act with which others deserve, as People.
I say this with respect for what you are doing, reaching out and caring for Christian communities around the world, and as a Muslim who believes that one day a cosmopolitan world may come true and so as to hopefully show to you what I believe in, God bless and Peace be upon you.
Brunei is a peace country!
There's NO VIOLENCE, in Brunei, neither between muslims and christian, Hinduism, buddism and etc, etc. Brunei is a peace country!
And read here: meet some of our teachers
Hello TDI and guys! Peace be upon to you all. I am a Bruneian, i respect on TDI's view about Christian community in Brunei. Well everyone have rights to present and say about their own opinians. There's actually no need to give an anger or bloody comments what so ever. About the topic of the author, TDI - Brunei is rich but slap harsh law on christian communnity, in other words - Brunei is rich but slap STRICT law on christian. So it's all about LAW. It's not about violence, racism or what so ever as you know Brunei is a peace country. So friends, again no need to give an anger comments, lets lead to a peace discussion. Peace be upon to you all.
TDI i am sorry on behave of my Bruneian friends here, i think they're "get sensitive" about your topic. And again friends, lets lead to a peace discussion. And sorry for my bad english,
Awwww~ 
LOL
Here you can read about basic info of International school in Brunei - Jerudong Internation school. Where the majority of the students is filled with non-muslims, including Christians. http://www.fobissea.org.
Here also you can read about Religious Freedom in Brunei atheism.about.com.
Hafiz..what do u know about the LAW in Brunei?
Is there any evidence that we have strict LAW in Brunei towards the Christians?
Maybe you can help TDI and all of us in Brunei with this.
Give us the evidence. From which Book of Brunei Law. What page to what page.
Then u can make the statement whether the article is about Law or About insulting Brunei.
Ok,we're here try to clear all misunderstanding, any countries got their own Policies / law, religion, cultures which non-citizens need to adapted to themself. Like TDI on his statement mentioned that the 'bible' are not available on the markets in Brunei, churhes being spies on any meeting or event, perhaps it's a difficulty for christians or maybe not. And it's actually not really a STRICT law at all, if there's a christians got kick out of Brunei well with all respects we feel SORRY for that. GENERALLY most non-muslim in Brunei; Christians, Hinduism, Buddisms or whatsoever are living happily in Brunei,
We don't actually know whether Christians in Brunei having difficulty on religious law or policy, perhaps just some or little of them. i have non-muslim friends too include christian, so far they didn't mentioning about difficulty of religious freedom in this country. And Well, compare to others Islamic countries on the middle east and arab, Brunei are NOT THAT worst isn't it?.. So i hope it's all clear for now.
me,
The Constitution states, "The religion of Brunei Darussalam shall be the Muslim religion according to the Shafi'i sect of that religion: Provided that all other religions may be practiced in peace and harmony by the person professing them in any part of Brunei Darussalam." However, the Government imposed many restrictions on non-Shafi'i and non-Islamic religious practice.
International Religious Freedom Report 2007
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Legal system: Definition
based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Sharia law supersedes civil law in a number of areas; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
World Factbook, Brunei
--- see also: The Government of Brunei Darussalam Official Website
Hafiz,
"And it's actually not really a STRICT law at all..."
I think you make a good point here. Much of the article itself and certainly the comments see this from various perspectives. I keep away from STRICT in the title since it is a common or normal way to describe law (in any country). Good approach.