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.
Click to enlarge
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.
And here i wanna add the other things; The Goverment imposes many restrictions on non-Islamic religions and NON-SHAFI'I PRACTITIONERS. The Goverment allows only the practise of the official shafi'i school of Islam. It has banned several other religious group that it considers deviant, including the Islamic Al-arqam movement and the Bahai Faith. In february 2007 the goverment banned as deviant teachings three sects: Saihani Tapisan, Al Ma'unah and Abdul Razak Muhammad. The Goverment readily investigated and took proscriptive and action against purveyors of Islam or "deviationist" Islamic groups. The goverment warned the outsiders preaching radical Islamic Fundamentalistor unorthodox beliefs and warned Muslim against Christian evangelists.
Conclusion; The Brunei Goverment not only applied some restriction to the local non-muslim(Buddist, Christianist, Hinduist, Jews and etc)BUT also has BANNED several other ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS group that it considers DEVIANT. The Brunei Goverment also WARNED the outsiders preaching Islamic radical and WARNED NOT TO AGAINST Christian evangelists.
Back on the tittle "slap harsh law on christian", it's looks RATHER IMMATURE(it's just my opinian, no offense) which the tittle itself caused misunderstanding for some of the viewers here. For me the tittle supposed to be "Applied some stricter restriction on christian community", well it's looks better isn't it?.
AND, remember that generally there's no religious's racism in Brunei, neither between muslim and Christian especially.
HAHA you kidding me? You are soooo funnyyyyy. Visit Brunei then u know the reality, dont just make up stories.
Ok.. i see the point the author is trying to argue here. More like an dictionary debate here.
Also, i also know about the 'banning' of other deviant religions. Well, there maybe a point in the bans. Any religious group can form their own deviant beliefs and start preaching. Like the many 'cults' in the 70s in the US et al where these so called religions actually cause more harm than good by manipulating people/resources to their own agenda. Imagine where the world would be if any tom dick or harry could gather a group and make this group of high gullible people turn against whomever and whatever that does not fit into his or her agenda. Would our state/nation be responsible for the welfare of these people? If lets say one of these 'group' by intent direct or indirect, cause the death of innocents, who would be responsible? Wouldn't the people blame our govt for not protecting them?
I think all this is a silly debate. Be realistic. Some things are good.. others may not be. We live in a world where we give up some of our rights and place authority in a state in order to be protected by a rule of law. Writing silly articles based on so-called research done by paper researches has no basis or understanding of the reasonings behind the findings. Literally, it is the same as the blind leading the blind. If i really wanted to find out more about these things and reveal the real truth behind this, I'd have spent a few years living amongst the people to really find out what its all about and then writing about the human side of things.
On a side note, I believe TDI is a christian evanglist trying to spread the word of God which is by no means wrong in any way.. but.. do so with respect of the culture and beliefs of others. God Al-Mighty or Allah S.W.T. is all knowing and we are all his children whether we were born in Palestine, Israel, China or Antartica.
Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do on to you.
Peace
I am indeed, thanks for the heads-up as the saying goes! TDI
Assalamualaikum...
Some facts about Brunei...
The country has a total area of approximately 2,227 square miles, and its resident population is approximately 360,000. The Government does not publish detailed data on religious affiliation; however, other sources indicate that 67 percent of the population are Muslim, 13 percent are Buddhist, 10 percent are Christian, and another 10 percent adhere to indigenous beliefs or other faiths. About 20 percent of the population are ethnic Chinese, of which approximately half are Christians (Anglicans, Catholics, and Methodists) and half are Buddhists. There also is a large workforce that includes Australian, British, Filipino, South Asian, Indonesian, and Malaysian expatriates that includes Muslims, Christians, and Hindus.
There are 101 mosques and prayer halls, 7 Christian churches, several Chinese temples, and 2 Hindu temples in the country.
The Constitution states that, "The religion of Brunei Darussalam shall be the Muslim religion according to the Shafeite 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.
The Government describes the country as a Malay Islamic monarchy. The Government actively promotes adherence to Islamic values and traditions by its Muslim residents. The Ministry of Religious Affairs deals solely with Islam and Islamic laws, which exist alongside secular laws and apply ONLY to Muslims.
In general those adhering to faiths other than Islam are allowed to practice their beliefs, provided that they exercise restraint and do not proselytize.
There were NO reports of religious detainees or prisoners.
Religious authorities encourage Muslim women to wear the tudong, a traditional head covering, and many women do so. However, some Muslim women do not and there is NO official pressure on non-Muslim women to do so.
In July 1999, a new Married Women's Law came into effect, improving significantly the rights of non-Muslim married women with respect to maintenance, property, and domestic violence. A November 1999 revision of the Islamic Family Law, regarding women's position in marriage and divorce, has also strengthened the marital rights of Muslim women.
What others says about Brunei...
1. NO HEAVY TRAFFIC JAMS - You can reach office and be back home without spending an hour or more on the road (except if there's some accident of course)...Have enough time to send and fetch kids to/from school as traffic flow everywhere is always fast.
2. LOW CRIME RATE - Crimes are very rare. Although you'll forget to close your house window, forget to lock the house door or even forget the keys in your car, it's very seldom that your home or car will be robbed. It's very common to see people in Brunei wear expensive jewelries without worrying that someone might steal those from them.
3. NO CALAMITIES - No Typhoons,No Earthquakes, Not prone to Tsunamis and other Natural Calamities.
4. PEACEFUL & QUITE - Loiters, Vandalisms, Noise Pollution, Gang Fights, Street Fights and other Public Nuisance is very rare in Brunei.
5. AFFORDABLE LIVING - Considered as High Standard Living but Brunei is still affordable to live with. Food, Accommodation, Electricity and Cars are easy to acquire. Brunei is one of the leading consumers who are up to date to latest cellphone models, computers or laptops and even cars.
6. LIVING IS SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL - Just enjoy being here, Brunei is a country that doesn't have any Disco or Pubs and Alcohol consumption is restricted but the benefits of living in Brunei with simplicity is worth to have for. You're away from everyday stress that usual modern cities have, Life is just easy and not always in a rush.
JUST COME AND HAVE A TRY!
Driving conditions are okay, missions work is not. We have to constantly be VERY careful. Especially of anyone who chose to follow the true way. Crimes are indeed rare. In fact, Pendekar Mustar's other points are indeed true. But for mission work, life is harsh.
mission_to_brunei, I don't care about your mission. If you think it is difficult for you to do what ever you intend to do in Brunei, go find another place.. Haha!
Islam is GREAT. ALLAHUAKBAR!
yayaya.......u guys olwyz winnn
did u ask them??
hantam tah kmu
Yes God has a heart that all the slaves of rich and poor, the weak and strong
Yes God omniscient ruler of the universe all, this day thy servant above induce majesty, the servant asks for mercy love thy
Yes please Excellency the servant of God to open hearts to one another all the people I love, love each other, respect each other price
O servant of Allah, love please Excellency to the servants who currently need, so that Royal Highness deign to open the hearts of all of this helps to open and distress and unrest servant
O servant of Allah is very little need of funds used for the purposes of the servant, and to return to this earth again, O God You are the servants know what to do and do
O Allah open the hearts of all your servants made good sense for this slave
O servant of Allah, there is hope that people are willing to set aside part of the Worship of funds to this account of the servant: Bank Central Asia Bekasi Branch: Account Number: 0662424046,
Thank you O God, this is only on the will of God Worship Yes
O God, you can only open and a closed heart, to see the real truth
wasalam
your servant
Pray for Brunei:
* for the encourgment of the two recognized Christian congregations
* for protection of Malay converts to Christ
* for Christian workers in Brunei
* for visions, dreams, and revelations of Jesus to Malays
* for Bible distribution in Brunei to be legalized
* for the royal family to come to Christ