Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) is the capital and largest city of Brunei. It is officially a municipal area with an area of 100.36 square kilometres (38.75 sq mi) and an estimated population of 100,700 as of 2007. It is part of Brunei–Muara District, the smallest yet most populous district which is home to over 70 per cent of the country's population. It is the country's largest urban centre and nominally the country's only city. The capital is home to Brunei's seat of government, as well as a commercial and cultural centre. It was formerly known as Brunei Town until it was renamed in 1970 in honour of Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei and the father of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
Abdul Aziz bin Juned is a Bruneian aristocrat, politician and muslim scholar who is the current Grand Mufti of Brunei. As a Grand Mufti, he is the most senior and most influential Sunni Muslim religious and legal authority in the nation. He was appointed by the Sultan in 1994.
Ismail bin Omar Abdul Aziz was a Malaysian aristocrat and politician who became the first State Mufti of Brunei under the Ministry of Religious Affairs office, later State Mufti Office. He was a well-respected Malaysian expatriate ulema whom have contributed greatly to Islam and the people, notably for the State of Johor and Brunei.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs (MORA or MoRA; Malay: Kementerian Hal Ehwal Ugama, KHEU) is a cabinet-level ministry in the government of Brunei which is responsible for the propagation of Islam and its upholding as the state religion, as well as oversees the Islamic religious education in the country. It is currently led by a minister and a deputy minister, whereby the incumbents are Badaruddin Othman and Pengiran Mohammad Tashim respectively. The ministry is headquartered in Bandar Seri Begawan.
The Kolej Universiti Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan is a public teacher-training university college situated in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, founded in 2007. The institution aims to improve the standing of religious education in Brunei and create educators by integrating research and teaching knowledge based on Islamic principles and the Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB) concept.
The Most Eminent Order of Islam Brunei, also translated as The Most Illustrious Islamic Religious Order of the State of Brunei, is an order of Brunei. It was established on 1 August 1968 by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah for service in the propagation, preservation and strengthening of the Islamic religion.
Pengiran Muhammad Ali bin Pengiran Haji Muhammad Daud, commonly known as Pengiran Ali, was a Bruneian nobleman, teacher, and politician. He served as the first Deputy Menteri Besar from 1962 to 1965 and was a member of the Legislative, Executive, and Privy Councils. Pengiran Ali played a pivotal role in Brunei's history, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s. He was the first of the "three M's" feared by the British government, alongside Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf and Marsal Maun. He was also the father-in-law of Princess Amal Nasibah, daughter of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III.
Pengiran Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman, pen name Zairis M.S., is a Bruneian politician and writer in the Government of Brunei whole formerly took office as the second Minister of Religious Affairs from 2010 to 2015, and Deputy Minister of Education from 2005 to 2010.
Yahya bin Haji Ibrahim, pen name Yahya M.S., was a Bruneian aristocrat, poet and politician who served as the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs from 1986 to 2005, and the Chief Syar’ie Judge. He had a career in the government service of Brunei, in which he held a number of important positions such as being a member of the Privy Council of Brunei. Additionally, he was considered one of the first to write Islamic poetry in the country.
Muslim bin Haji Burut, pen name Muslim Burmat, was a writer from Brunei who wrote a great deal of literature, particularly novels and short stories that are used in Brunei's educational institutions. In addition to receiving numerous literary honours, his works—which are primarily realistic but also include fresh historiography—showcase aspects of Brunei society.
Mahmud Saedon bin Othman was a Bruneian writer and Muslim scholar. His proficiency in the legal and Islamic domains, served as the foundation for the nation's giving of diplomas in law and Syar'ie law. Additionally, he was the principal advocate for the progressive reinstatement of syariah laws as the supreme law of the nation and the Islamic Legal Specialist in the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MORA).
Besar bin Sagap was a Bruneian musician and composer who became a notable figure who played a role in the composition of the country's national anthem, Allah Peliharakan Sultan.
Pengiran Mohammad Tashim bin Pengiran Haji Hassan is a Bruneian politician and former syariah judge who served as the incumbent Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs (MoRA) since 2022. He is also a member of the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) council, Manpower Planning & Employment Council (MPEC), deputy chairman of Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College and chairman of Badan Tanmiah Brunei.
Pengiran Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar is a politician and educator from Brunei who served as the country's Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs twice, from 2010 to 2015 and from 2018 to 2022, as well as Deputy Minister of Education from 2015 to 2018. Additionally, he was the deputy chairman of Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College, Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in c. 2013 and a member of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation's board of directors from 2021 to 2023.
Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien is a historical urban park, located in the Pusat Bandar of Bandar Seri Begawan, where significant state ceremonies are held, including the Sultan's birthday celebrations, National Day, the National Musabaqah Al-Quran, and the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, among others. Formerly known as Padang Besar, the park underwent renovations in 1983 and was renamed in honour of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III. This site holds historical importance, as it was the location of Brunei's declaration of independence reading on 1 January 1984.
Othman bin Bidin was a Bruneian teacher, renowned for being the first local to serve as principal of the Brunei Malay Teachers' College (MPMB), first principal of the Seri Begawan Religious Teachers College (MPUSB), and member of the Legislative Council in the 1970s. He was a strong advocate for enhancing the role of teachers and played a crucial role in championing their rights and welfare. Alongside other key figures, Othman made significant contributions to the development of Brunei's educational system, particularly through his commitment to improving teaching standards and promoting the value of education in the country.
Abu Bakar bin Jambol (1897–1976) was a Bruneian aristocrat, civil servant and community leader of Tutong descent. He served as a member of the Tujuh Serangkai committee from 1953 to 1954, tasked with gathering public opinions on the proposed constitution of Brunei from both rural and urban communities. The committee produced an extensive report and provided valuable guidance to Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III during the drafting process.
Muhammad Yusof bin Muhammad Husain (1906–1975) was an aristocrat and civil servant from Brunei. Between 1953 and 1954, he served as a member of the Tujuh Serangkai committee, tasked with gathering feedback from both urban and rural communities on the proposed Bruneian constitution. During the drafting process, the committee provided Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III with invaluable advice and produced a comprehensive report.
Abdul Mokti bin Haji Nasar (1864–1946) was a Muslim scholar, Sufi teacher, and Islamic reformer in Brunei around the turn of the 20th century. He played a pivotal role in introducing the Qadiriya-Naqshbandiyya Sufi order to Brunei, promoting a scriptural approach to Islam and establishing his balai as a leading religious centre. He significantly contributed to Brunei's religious education, attracting prominent students, spreading Islamic teachings across the region, and leaving behind influential writings on Islamic spirituality and socio-religious issues.
