Brunei religion. 9% subscribe to various religions, including indigenous religions. Islam was introduced to Brunei by traders arriving from Persia, Arabia, India, China and by the 14th century the royal house had by then converted to Islam. The legal system is divided between secular law and sharia, which have parallel systems of both criminal and civil/family law and operate separate courts under a single . The next largest ethnic group in Brunei is Han Chinese, who are Legal Framework The constitution states the religion of the country shall be the Shafi’i school of Sunni Islam but allows all other religions to be practiced “in peace and harmony” by the persons professing them. The dominance of Islam is attributed to a large number of the Malay people, most of whom are Muslim. Learn about other religions and practices in Brunei. The capital is Bandar Seri Begawan, which is located in the country’s larger western segment. Many of the country’s rulers have used the oil revenues to Jun 25, 2019 · Practiced by almost the entire population, Islam is the main religion of Brunei Darussalam. Its society is shaped by centuries of Malay heritage, the influence of Islam as the state religion, and the vision of a monarch whose Legal Framework The constitution states the religion of the country shall be the Shafi’i school of Sunni Islam but allows all other religions to be practiced “in peace and harmony” by the persons professing them. The official religion of Brunei Freedom of religion in Brunei The constitution of Brunei states that while the official religion is the Shafi'i school of Sunni Islam, all other religions may be practiced "in peace and harmony. Oct 24, 2023 · Whilst Brunei’s Constitution states that “all […] religions may be practised in peace and harmony”, it also establishes “the Muslim religion according to the Shafi’i sect of that religion” as the official religion of Brunei. In 2021, the government census showed that 82. It achieved independence in 1984, having been a British protectorate since 1888. Religion in Brunei Islam is the dominant religion in Brunei (78. According to the constitution, the Sultan is the head of “the official religion” and is advised by the Islamic Religious Council – a government body comprising the Sultan Islam is Brunei 's official religion, 83% of the population is Muslim, [1] most of the other Muslim groups are Malay Kedayans (converts from indigenous tribal groups), local Chinese and Dayak Iban converts. Under the SPC, the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) and Religious Enforcement Division officers under the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MORA) cooperate on investigations of crimes covered by both secular law and sharia. However, other religions also have a considerable foothold in Brunei: 6. Situated on the northern coast of Borneo, Brunei Darussalam is a small but influential Southeast Asian nation where cultural pride and Islamic devotion converge. Sep 24, 2025 · The story of Brunei Culture National Identity and Religion is one of harmony, faith, and tradition. The official religion of Brunei Mar 16, 2026 · Brunei, independent Islamic sultanate on the northern coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. 1 percent of the population according to the 2022 census, with the remainder comprising Christians (6. However, there are people of other religions living in the country as well. " Apostasy and blasphemy are legally punishable by corporal and capital punishment, including stoning to death, amputation of hands or feet, or caning. 7%) and Buddhism (7. 8%) are the minority religions. The government of Brunei is an absolute monarchy ruled by the Sultan, and it implements a fusion of English common law and jurisprudence inspired by Islam, including sharia. Legal Framework The constitution states the religion of the country shall be the Shafi’i school of Sunni Islam but allows all other religions to be practiced “in peace and harmony” by the persons professing them. Brunei's penal code criminalizes efforts to promote religions other than Islam to Muslims or the non-religious, including persuading religious conversion, exposing Muslim children to other faiths, or opposing Islamic authorities. 9 percent). 7% of the population is Christian and another 6. Obviously, these people are most closely related to the people of Malaysia, Indonesia, and to a lesser degree, numerous Pacific islands. 3 percent), and other faiths (4. According to the constitution, the Sultan is the head of “the official religion” and is advised by the Islamic Religious Council – a government body comprising the Sultan Religion in Brunei is officially Islam under the Shafi'i school of Sunni Islam, practiced by 82. Its official language is Malay, and Sunni Islam is the state religion of the country, although other religions are nominally tolerated. 7 percent), Buddhists (6. The Minister of Religious Affairs reported in July that his ministry was only responsible for Islamic affairs. Islam is the state religion. The remaining 4. [1] Islam 1 day ago · BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: For the financial year 2026/2027, the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) was allocated a BND280,279,000 budget. 1% of Brunei's population is Muslim. The majority religion in Brunei is Islam. Islam was popularised in Brunei in the 15th century when a Malay Muslim came to power in the region. 3% is Buddhist. The national philosophy of Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB), or Malay Islamic Monarchy, fuses Malay ethnic identity, Islamic doctrine Religion in Brunei explained Among religions in Brunei, Sunni Islam is predominant. Islam is Brunei 's official religion, 83% of the population is Muslim, [1] most of the other Muslim groups are Malay Kedayans (converts from indigenous tribal groups), local Chinese and Dayak Iban converts. Even today, the Sultan of Brunei upholds the religious values of Islam. The Sultan took every step to promote the religion and soon most of the subjects of his kingdom adopted the religion. 8%), while Christianity (8. Culture of Brunei Darussalam - history, people, traditions, women, beliefs, food, customs, family, social Bo-Co Ethnicity, Language, & Religion of Brunei Ethnicity The majority of people in Brunei (about two thirds) are ethnically Malay, a group related to the people of both Micronesia and Polynesia. As there are a lot of foreign workers living in Jul 2, 2019 · English is mostly used by the business community, as a working language, and in the education system. It also punishes those who assist in such acts. aixhq aqoguu pxeo rxfio zxi ouvjzq slroqhx dcmycj vivq hliqb