Brunei's National Religion: A Comprehensive Overview

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a small country in Southeast Asia with a population of around 450,000 people. It is situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo and is surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak. Brunei gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1984 and is now a constitutional absolute monarchy ruled by the Sultan. The official religion of Brunei is the Shafi'i school of Sunni Islam, and the country's laws and governance are heavily influenced by Islamic principles. While the freedom to practice other religions is guaranteed in the constitution, there are significant restrictions on non-Islamic beliefs and social pressure to conform to Islamic guidelines.

Brunei's national religion

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a country in Southeast Asia with a population of around 455,858 as of 2023. It is a constitutional absolute monarchy ruled by the Sultan, with Islam as its national and state religion. The country gained its independence from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984 and has since operated a dual legal system, with one secular and one Sharia law system.

Islam as the National Religion

Islam, specifically the Shafi'i school of Sunni Islam, is the national and state religion of Brunei. The country's constitution states that "the official religion of Brunei Darussalam shall be the Islamic Religion", while also guaranteeing freedom of religion for individuals, stating that "all other religions may be practised in peace and harmony by the persons professing them".

The 2021 government census showed that 82.1% of Brunei's population is Muslim, with significant minorities following Christianity (6.7%) and Buddhism (6.3%). The remaining 4.9% subscribe to various religions, including indigenous beliefs.

Sharia Law in Brunei

While Brunei's constitution guarantees freedom of religion, there are certain restrictions on the practice of non-Islamic beliefs. The government has placed restrictions on deviant" religious groups, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Baha'i Faith, and has banned proselytising of non-Islamic faiths. Additionally, non-Muslims often face social pressure to conform to Islamic guidelines.

The country has a dual legal system, with one secular and one Sharia law system. The Sharia Penal Code (SPC), which came into full effect in 2019, applies to both Muslims and non-Muslims, with non-Muslims exempted from certain sections. The SPC outlines harsh punishments, including corporal and capital punishment, for offences such as apostasy and blasphemy.

Societal Respect for Religious Freedom

Both non-Muslims and Muslims in Brunei face social pressure to conform to Islamic behavioural guidelines. Some male Muslims, for example, have reported feeling pressured by family and friends to attend Friday prayers even if they do not hold strong religious beliefs. Additionally, there have been reports of social retribution for those who wish to convert to another religion, particularly from Islam to another faith.

International Criticism

There has been international criticism of Brunei's treatment of non-practising Muslims and people of other faiths. In 2019, Hollywood actor George Clooney led a campaign calling for the boycott of hotels owned by a subsidiary of the Brunei government due to the introduction of the SPC, which included penalties such as "stoning and whipping to death" for those found guilty of homosexual acts. As a result, the Sultan of Brunei issued a "de facto moratorium" on the death penalty.

Religious freedom in Brunei

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a small Southeast Asian nation on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. It is a constitutional absolute monarchy ruled by the Sultan, with Islam as its official religion.

The country's constitution guarantees freedom of religion, but this freedom is limited in several ways. While the right to practice privately is given to a plethora of religions, and some non-Islamic holidays are recognised, religious education is controlled, and the distribution of non-Islamic religious materials is forbidden. The government has also imposed restrictions on non-Islamic religious practices, prohibiting the public celebration of non-Islamic festivals and banning interfaith marriages, especially between Muslims and non-Muslims.

The practice of non-Islamic beliefs is restricted, with the government banning proselytising of all faiths other than Sunni Islam, and refusing permission to establish or build non-Islamic places of worship. The government has also banned several religious groups that it considers "deviant", including Jehovah's Witnesses and the Baháʼí Faith.

Muslims are discouraged from learning about other faiths, and Islamic authorities organise activities to propagate Islam, as well as offering incentives to prospective converts. The country's national philosophy, the Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB) or Malay Islamic Monarchy, further discourages open-mindedness towards religions other than Islam.

There have been reports of forced religious conversion, including of minor U.S. citizens, and Muslims are not permitted to renounce or change their religion. Non-Muslims must be at least 14 years and seven months old to convert or renounce their religion, and if either parent converts to Islam, their children automatically become Muslim.

While Brunei's constitution provides for freedom of religion, the government's restrictions on non-Islamic practices and promotion of Islam have led to international criticism of what is seen as the country's oppression of non-practising Muslims and people of other faiths.

Islam in Brunei

Islam is the official religion of Brunei, with 82.1% of the population identifying as Muslim, according to the 2021 government census. The predominant form of Islam in the country is Sunni Islam, with the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence being the most widely followed. The state madh'hab of Islam is also Shafi'i, which serves as a major source of law for the country.

The history of Islam in Brunei dates back to as early as the 10th century, when there is evidence of a Chinese Muslim diplomat and trader, P'u-lu-shieh, visiting in 977. However, it is believed that Islam was solidified as the predominant religion in the country by the 16th century, with the construction of one of its biggest mosques during this time.

The Sultan of Brunei, who is also the head of state and head of religion, plays a significant role in the propagation and preservation of Islam in the country. Over the years, various Sultans have promoted Islamic education, constructed mosques, and supported religious pilgrimages. The current Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, has been in power since 1967 and has continued to strengthen Islamic customs and interpretations in the country.

While Islam is the official religion, Brunei's constitution guarantees freedom of religion for its citizens. However, this freedom is limited in certain cases, particularly in religious education and the distribution of non-Islamic religious materials, which is forbidden. The practice of other religions is generally tolerated, with non-Islamic holidays such as Lunar New Year, Christmas, and Vesak Day being recognised.

The Islamic Religious Council advises the Sultan on all matters relating to Islam, and the country's legal system incorporates both secular law and Sharia law, with the latter having gained prominence in recent years. The Sharia Penal Code (SPC), which includes harsh punishments for various offences, has been a subject of controversy and international criticism. Despite this, Islam remains a fundamental aspect of Bruneian culture and society, shaping the country's laws, traditions, and way of life.

Christianity in Brunei

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a small country in Southeast Asia, situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. It is surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak and has a population of around 450,000 people, with approximately 180,000 living in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.

Islam is the state religion of Brunei, with 82.1% of the population practising Sunni Islam. However, the country's constitution states that all other religions may be practised "in peace and harmony". In 2022, 8.7% of the population identified as Christian, although other reports suggest this number could be as high as 12%. Other religions with a significant foothold in the country include Buddhism (6.3%) and indigenous religions (4.9%).

Despite the freedom to practise non-Islamic religions, there are many restrictions on religious freedom in Brunei. The government enforces the Sharia Penal Code (SPC), which applies to both Muslims and non-Muslims, and states that offences such as apostasy and blasphemy are punishable by death, amputation, or caning. The import of Bibles is banned, as is the public celebration of Christmas. Christians are not permitted to proselytise, and schools are forbidden from teaching Christianity. Marriages between Christians and Muslims are also prohibited.

The practice of non-Muslim religions is further restricted by social pressure to conform to Islamic guidelines. Some individuals who wish to convert to another religion fear ostracism by their friends, family, and the wider community. Non-Muslims also face pressure to convert to Islam, and government officials monitor their religious services to ensure no Muslims attend and that there is no anti-Islamic content.

Despite these challenges, Brunei's Christian population continues to practise their faith. There are three Roman Catholic parishes in the country, which belong to the Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei Darussalam. There are also several Protestant churches, including the Borneo Evangelical Church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the Anglican Church.

Buddhism in Brunei

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a country in Southeast Asia with a population of approximately 455,858 as of 2023. It is situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo and is surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak. Brunei is the only sovereign state that is entirely on Borneo. The official language of Brunei is Malay, and Islam is the state religion of the country, although other religions are nominally tolerated.

Buddhism is the third-largest religion in Brunei, after Islam and Christianity. According to Brunei's official 2016 data, 7% (approximately 29,495) of the population practices Buddhism. Estimates vary, with some reports placing the number of Buddhists in Brunei at around 30,000, and the estimated percentage of Buddhists in the total population at 7-8%. A large percentage of the Buddhist population is ethnically Chinese, with about 65% of the Chinese population embracing Buddhism. Chinese Mahayana Buddhism is the most common denomination, as it is the most common form of Buddhism practiced in China and surrounding states. Buddhism is often practiced alongside other religions or philosophical practices, particularly Taoism and Confucianism.

Buddhism is thought to have had a presence in Brunei beginning in the 6th century CE, coinciding with the start of a known trading relationship between Brunei and China. This continued alongside the influence of Hinduism with the Majapahit Empire from the 13th to the 16th century CE, with this influence decreasing drastically with the spread of Islam into Brunei and the region. The modern Buddhist population of Brunei is mainly derived from Chinese migrants arriving between the 19th and 20th centuries, especially following a 1929 Chinese law allowing for dual nationality.

While Brunei guarantees freedom of religion, there are some limitations on religious freedom for non-Muslims, including Buddhists. Restrictions include limitations on building new places of worship and the importation or distribution of non-Islamic religious literature. In addition, non-Muslim groups, including Buddhists, must adhere to many aspects of Brunei's Sharia law, including the Sharia Penal Code introduced in 2013 and expanded upon in 2019.

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