Religion in Brunei
Population by religion from the Brunei 2016 census[1]
Among religions in Brunei, Sunni Islam is predominant. In 2016, it was estimated that 80.9% of Brunei's population is Muslim. However, other religions also have a considerable foothold in Brunei: 7% of the population is Christian and another 7% is Buddhist. The remaining 5% subscribe to various religions, including indigenous religions.[2]
Islam is the state religion of Brunei, but freedom of religion is guaranteed. This freedom however, 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]
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]
| Religion | 1981 Census | 1991 Census | 2001 Census | 2011 Census | 2016 Census | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Percent | Number | Percent | Number | Percent | Number | Percent | Number | Percent | |
| Islam | 122,269 | 63.4% | 174,973 | 67.2% | 249,822 | 75% | 309,962 | 78.8% | 337,391 | 80.9% |
| Buddhism | 27,063 | 14.1% | 33,387 | 12.8% | 28,480 | 8.6% | 30,814 | 7.8% | 29,495 | 7% |
| Christianity | 18,767 | 9.7% | 25,994 | 10% | 31,291 | 9.4% | 34,176 | 8.7% | 29,510 | 7.1% |
| Others | 24,733 | 12.8% | 26,128 | 10% | 23,251 | 7% | 18,420 | 4.7% | 20,860 | 5% |
| Total: | 192,832 | 100% | 260,482 | 100% | 332,844 | 100% | 393,272 | 100% | 417,256 | 100% |
| Ethnicity | Islam | Buddhism | Christianity | Folk 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
- Hinduism in Brunei
- Christianity in Brunei
- Buddhism in Brunei
- Islam in Brunei
- Freedom of religion in Brunei
References
- ^ "Population by Religion, Sex and Census Year".
- ^ "Population by Religion, Sex and Census Year".
- ^ a b c d "Brunei". Background Notes. United States State Department. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ a b c "Brunei". emory.edu. Emory. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
- ^ a b "Brunei". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
- ^ "Population by Religion, Sex and Census Year".
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