Islam in Brunei

Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, a national landmark and state mosque in Brunei

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. 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 official religion of Brunei is Sunni Islam. With the noteworthy exception of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III's tomb, which has been turned into a pilgrimage destination during Ramadan, Brunei Malay Muslims do not often revere saints or holy tombs, unlike in other Muslim societies. Brunei's pre-Islamic ancestor worship customs had an impact on the custom of visiting cemeteries during Ramadan to purify and offer prayers for the deceased.[2]

  1. ^ "The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency". www.cia.gov. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  2. ^ Riggs 2005, p. 230.

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