Religion's Role In Brunei's Workforce

Brunei is a small Southeast Asian nation with a population of around 423,196 people. Islam is the official religion, with 78.8% of the population adhering to it. While the constitution allows for freedom of religion, the government has imposed restrictions on non-Islamic practices. Islam is promoted through government policies, and the public celebration of non-Islamic festivals is banned. The country's national philosophy, Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB), or Malay Islamic Monarchy, discourages open-mindedness towards religions other than Islam. The government has also banned certain religious groups it considers deviant, and there are restrictions on the ability of non-Muslims to proselytize.

Religious freedom in Brunei

The official religion of Brunei is the Shafi'i school of Sunni Islam. However, the constitution states that "all other religions may be practised in peace and harmony". While this means that Brunei's religious groups coexist peacefully, there are some restrictions on the practice of non-Islamic beliefs.

Religious Demography

According to the 2021 census, 82.1% of Brunei's population is Muslim, 8.7% is Christian, 7% is Buddhist, and 5% follow other religions, including indigenous beliefs. There are 110 mosques and prayer halls, six Christian churches, three Chinese temples, and one Hindu temple in the country.

Status of Religious Freedom

The government of Brunei has placed restrictions on the practice of non-Islamic beliefs, specifically on groups it considers "deviant", such as the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Baháʼí Faith. Non-Muslims are often coerced to follow Islamic guidelines by social pressure. The law discourages Muslims from learning about other faiths, while Islamic authorities organize activities to explain and propagate Islam.

The government has banned the importation of religious teaching materials for non-Islamic faiths and refused permission to build non-Islamic places of worship. Proselytizing by non-Islamic faiths is not permitted, and there are no missionaries reported to be working in the country.

The government describes the country as a Malay Islamic Monarchy and actively promotes adherence to Islamic values and traditions among its Muslim residents. The Ministry of Religious Affairs deals solely with Islam and Islamic laws, which exist alongside secular laws and only apply to Muslims.

Restrictions on Religious Freedom

The government has reinforced the legitimacy of the hereditary monarchy and the observance of traditional and Muslim values by asserting a national ideology known as Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB), or Malay Islamic Monarchy. MIB principles have been adopted as the basis for government, and all meetings and ceremonies commence with a Muslim prayer. At citizenship ceremonies, non-Muslims must wear national dress, including Muslim head coverings.

The government has restricted the practice of non-Muslim religions by prohibiting proselytizing of all faiths other than Sunni Islam. It has also banned several religious groups it considers deviant, including the Islamic Al-Arqam movement and the Baháʼí Faith.

Abuses of Religious Freedom

Those adhering to faiths other than Islam are allowed to practice their beliefs, but they may not proselytize. In the past, non-Muslims who proselytized were arrested, detained, or held without charges for extended periods of time.

There have been reports of forced religious conversion, including of minor U.S. citizens who had been abducted or illegally removed from the United States. 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. If either parent converts to Islam, their children automatically become Muslim if they are under 14 years and seven months old.

Societal Abuses and Discrimination

The dominant Islamic religious ethos discourages Muslims from learning about other faiths. Islamic authorities organize proselytizing activities and offer incentives to explain and propagate Islam, especially to indigenous communities in rural areas. The MIB concept discourages open-mindedness to religions other than Islam, and there are no programs to promote understanding of other religions.

There has been international criticism of Brunei's oppression of non-practising Muslims or people of other faiths. In 2019, Hollywood actor George Clooney led a campaign calling for the boycott of nine international hotels owned by a subsidy of Brunei's government in response to the country's anti-LGBTQ+ laws.

Islam in Brunei

Islam is the official religion of Brunei, with 82.1% of the population identifying as Muslim, according to the 2021 census. The predominant form of Islam in the country is Sunni Islam, with the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence being the state madh'hab. The Shafi'i school also 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, with evidence of a Chinese Muslim diplomat and trader, P'u-lu-shieh, arriving in 977. Islam was further spread in the country by traders from Persia, Arabia, China, and the Indian subcontinent. Brunei's conversion to Islam is often attributed to Awang Alak Betatar (later Sultan Muhammad Shah) in the late 14th century, although some historians argue that it occurred later, in the 15th century.

Over the centuries, Islam solidified its presence in Brunei, with the religion being formally recognised as the country's official religion in the 1959 Constitution. The Sultan of Brunei, who is the head of state and religion, has played a significant role in promoting and strengthening Islamic practices and institutions. The country's legal system reflects a combination of secular law and Sharia law, with the latter gaining prominence in recent years.

While Brunei's constitution guarantees freedom of religion, there are restrictions on the practice of non-Islamic beliefs. The government has placed bans on certain religious groups deemed "deviant", and there are limitations on the freedom to proselytise non-Islamic faiths. Additionally, non-Muslims face social pressure to conform to Islamic guidelines and restrictions on their religious practices, such as importing religious texts and building places of worship.

The country's national philosophy, Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB), or Malay Islamic Monarchy, emphasises the importance of Islam in daily life and governance, and it serves as a basis for the government's policies and laws. The government actively promotes Islamic values and traditions among its Muslim residents and provides incentives for prospective converts to Islam.

Christianity in Brunei

Christianity is the second-largest religion in Brunei, with 8.7% of the population identifying as Christian as of 2022. Other reports suggest that this number may be as high as 12%. Brunei has six official Christian churches, and there are three Roman Catholic parishes in the country, which belong to the Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei Darussalam.

Restrictions on Religious Freedom

Despite the Bruneian constitution stating that all religions other than the official religion of Shafi'i school of Sunni Islam may be practised "in peace and harmony", there are several restrictions on religious freedom for Christians in the country. Contact with Christians in other countries, the import of Bibles, and the public celebration of Christmas are banned by decree. Christians in Brunei are not allowed to proselytise, and schools are not permitted to teach Christianity. If religious organisations fail to register, their members can be imprisoned. The teaching of non-Muslim religions in schools is prohibited. Marriages between Christians and Muslims are forbidden.

Apostasy Laws

In 2013, Brunei enacted the Syariah (Sharia'a) Penal Code, which states that a Muslim who declares themselves non-Muslim commits a crime punishable by death or imprisonment of up to 30 years, depending on the evidence. As a result, conversion from Islam is illegal, and those who convert face intense pressure from family, community, and government.

Public Celebration of Christmas

In 2015, the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, banned public Christmas celebrations, permitting only private celebrations that are kept secret from Muslims.

Bible Importation

The importation of Bibles is heavily controlled and rarely allowed outside of personal use.

Church Activities

Church activities are monitored, and it is illegal for Christians to share their faith with Muslims.

Discrimination

All Bruneian Christians face some level of discrimination, with female converts who do not wear the Islamic headscarf being pressured to do so. In public places, such as schools or boarding houses, Bibles may be banned if the majority of the community is Muslim.

Buddhism in Brunei

Buddhism is the third-largest religion in Brunei, after Islam and Christianity. Estimates vary, but some reports place the number of Buddhists in Brunei at around 30,000, with an estimated percentage of 6.3% to 8% of the total population. Brunei's official 2016 data, however, places this figure at 7% (29,495 people). A large percentage of the Buddhist population is ethnically Chinese, with 65% of the Chinese population embracing Buddhism. Chinese Mahayana Buddhism is the most common denomination practised, as it is the most common form of Buddhism in China and surrounding states. Buddhism is often practised alongside other religions or philosophical practices, such as Taoism and Confucianism.

Buddhism is thought to have been present in Brunei since the 6th century CE, coinciding with the beginning 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, but the influence of Buddhism decreased drastically with the spread of Islam in Brunei and the surrounding 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 dual nationality.

While Brunei guarantees religious freedom for Buddhists and other non-Muslim groups, there are some limitations. These include restrictions on building new places of worship and on the importation or distribution of non-Islamic religious literature. Non-Muslim groups, including Buddhists, must also adhere to Brunei's Sharia law, including the Sharia Penal Code introduced in 2013 and expanded in 2019. This law includes harsh punishments, such as stoning to death, amputation, and caning, for crimes such as apostasy and blasphemy. However, following the recent implementation of these laws, Buddhist and other minority religion populations have reported no difference in legal treatment from the state, and the state has put a moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

Religious minorities in Brunei

Brunei's population is predominantly Sunni Muslim, with 82.1% of the population practising Islam according to the 2021 census. However, there are also significant religious minorities in the country, including Christians (6.7%) and Buddhists (6.3%). Other religions, including indigenous beliefs, are followed by the remaining 4.9% of the population.

While Islam is the official religion of Brunei, the constitution states that other religions may be practised "in peace and harmony". Despite this, religious minorities in Brunei face several restrictions and challenges. The Sharia Penal Code (SPC), which is enforced alongside the secular penal code, applies to both Muslims and non-Muslims, and includes harsh punishments for offences such as apostasy and blasphemy. The SPC also prohibits proselytising among non-Muslims and restricts their ability to practise their religions. For example, non-Islamic religious groups face limitations in establishing places of worship and importing religious texts.

One religious minority group in Brunei is the Christians, who make up 6.7% of the population. Catholicism was introduced to the country by Spanish missionaries in the 16th century, while Anglicanism has partial roots in British colonialism. Today, the majority of Protestants in Brunei identify as Anglicans, followed by evangelicals and charismatics. There is also a growing number of independent congregations, which often face legal challenges due to their status as secular organisations. Despite these challenges, the Christian community in Brunei is known for its mutual respect and understanding, fostering peaceful coexistence among religious groups.

Another notable religious minority group in Brunei is the Dusuns, an ethnic minority primarily concentrated in the Tutong District. Historically, the Dusuns practised animism, but many have since converted to Islam and Christianity. Dusun belief does not involve proselytising; individuals are born into it but are not obliged to practise. However, those who adhere to the traditional rites show a strong attachment to their beliefs. At the core of Dusun faith is animism, with a focus on the cosmic god of prosperity, Derato. The Dusuns traditionally worship Derato for abundant harvests and perform the Temarok ritual after the harvest season. This ritual has become a significant communal ceremony and is even practised by Dusuns who have converted to other religions, as long as it aligns with their new teachings.

The relationship between the Muslim-majority state and the Dusun minority is characterised by mutual religious tolerance and acceptance. The majority embraces ethnic religious practices and festivals, while the Dusuns accept the Islam-centric policies outlined in the national philosophy of Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB). This mutual tolerance is cultivated through daily interactions and exposure to Islamic teachings within the educational framework. The Dusuns' tolerance towards Islam is also shaped by the state's acceptance of their beliefs, which are rooted in Brunei's historical narrative.

While the government of Brunei imposes limitations on religious minorities, the current religious diversity in the country appears to coexist relatively stably. Adherents of the majority religion generally exhibit tolerance towards other faiths, and religious minorities do not express significant dissatisfaction with their treatment. However, it is important to note that challenges and restrictions persist for these groups, particularly regarding the strict laws aimed at safeguarding the sanctity of Islam.

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