Religion in Brunei

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Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque at night Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque 02.jpg
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque at night

Population by religion from the Brunei 2021 census [1]

  Islam (82.1%)
  Christianity (6.7%)
  Buddhism (6.3%)
  Others (4.9%)

Among religions in Brunei, Sunni Islam is predominant. In 2021, the government census showed that 82.1% of Brunei's population is Muslim. However, other religions also have a considerable foothold in Brunei: 6.7% of the population is Christian and another 6.3% is Buddhist. The remaining 4.9% subscribe to various religions, including indigenous religions. [2]

Islam is the state religion of Brunei, but freedom of religion is guaranteed. This freedom however, is limited for several cases. [3] The right to practice privately is given to a plethora of religions. [3] Furthermore, some non-Islamic holidays, such as Lunar New Year, Christmas, Vesak day and Gawai Dayak, are recognised. [3] These rights however, are limited: religious education is controlled, even in the Chinese, Christian and private schools, and any non-Islamic religious materials being distributed are gazetted as illegal and tightly forbidden; where if caught it will result in an immediate death punishment without judgment and the involved materials are subject to confiscation, based on the 2014 Shariah Penal Code Ordinance. [3] [ failed verification ]

The state madh'hab of Islam is the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence of Sunni Islam. [4] Most of Brunei's Muslim population subscribe to the Shafi'i school as well, and Shafi'i is a major source of law for the country. [4] However, with the Sultan's permission, lawmakers may also consult the other three Sunni schools of fiqh. [4]

In Brunei, non-Muslims must be at least 14 years and 7 months old if they want to convert to another religion. A minor will automatically become a Muslim if his parents convert to Islam. [5]

Brunei Darussalam Official Censuses [6]
IslamChristianityBuddhismOthersTotal:
1981 CensusNumber122,26918,76727,06324,733192,832
Percent
63.4%
9.7%
14.1%
12.8%
100%
1991 CensusNumber174,97325,99433,38726,128260,482
Percent
67.2%
10%
12.8%
10%
100%
2001 CensusNumber249,82231,29128,48023,251332,844
Percent
75%
9.4%
8.6%
7%
100%
2011 CensusNumber309,96234,17630,81418,420393,272
Percent
78.8%
8.7%
7.8%
4.7%
100%
2016 CensusNumber337,39129,51029,49520,860417,256
Percent
80.9%
7.1%
7%
5%
100%
2021 CensusNumber362,03529,46227,74521,473440,715
Percent
82.1%
6.7%
6.3%
4.9%
100%
Religion in Brunei Darussalam based on Ethnicity (2011 Estimate) [5]
EthnicityIslamBuddhismChristianityFolk Religion / Others
Malays
100%
N/A (All Malays are Muslims according to the Bruneian Law.)
Chinese
14%
65%
20%
1%
Aborigines
50%
N/A
15%
35%
Non-Citizens
50%
15%
33%
2%
Total:
78.8%
7.8%
8.7%
4.7%

See also

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References

  1. US State Dept 2022 report
  2. US State Dept 2022 report
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Brunei". Background Notes. United States State Department. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 "Brunei". emory.edu. Emory. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  5. 1 2 "Brunei". United States Department of State 2019 report. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  6. "Population by Religion, Sex and Census Year".