BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN CAPITAL OF ISLAMIC CULTURE - ISESCO
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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
C APITAL OF ISL AMIC CULTURE
2 019
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................2 FROM THE PAGES OF OUR HISTORY ...............................................................3 THE STEERING COMMITTEE..............................................................................8 THE WORKING COMMITTEE ..........................................................................12 CALENDAR OF EVENTS ..................................................................................13 LOGO OF THE CELEBRATIONS .......................................................................16 DESCRIPTION OF THE LOGO..........................................................................17 THE HERITAGE TRAIL .....................................................................................18 PROMINENT RELIGIOUS FIGURES IN BRUNEI HISTORY (15TH TO 18TH CENTURY)......................................................................................................19 PROMINENT RELIGIOUS FIGURES IN BRUNEI HISTORY (19TH CENTURY) ......22 CONTACTS ....................................................................................................25
F R O M T H E PA G E S O F O U R H I S T O RY
B runei Darussalam is the oldest uninterrupted Malay state. Since the embracement of
Islam by the first ruler of Brunei, Awang Alak Betatar (Sultan Muhammad Shah) in 1402,
Islam has played, and still playing, a very central role in the history of Brunei1. The practice
of Islam can be seen in the admittance of some scholars from the Middle East to the
Bruneian society, including Sharif Ali (1432), a descendant of the Prophet ﷺwho later
enthroned as the third Sultan (1425-1432), and is known as Sultan Berkat (The Blessed
Sultan). Sultan Sharif Ali was the first to build a mosque and reinforce the Islamic faith in
Brunei 2.
An artist impression of the first mosque in Brunei at the Old City of Kota Batu.
1 Mansurnoor, I.A. (2008). Islam in Brunei Darussalam: Negotiating Islamic Revivalism and
Religious Radicalism. Islamic Studies, Vol. 47, No. 1 (pp. 65-97).
2Rozan Yunos. (2007). 200,000! And What I did on Sunday. http://
bruneiresources.blogspot.com/2007/03/200000-and-what-i-did-on-sunday.html
Remnants of the Old City in Kota Batu. The 120-acre Kota Batu Archaeological Park features excavation
sites of the stone fort. The area was an open trading port during the reign of the first Sultan of Brunei and
a mosque of stones was erected during the reign of Sultan Sharif Ali3 .
During the reign of Sultan Bolkiah,
t h e fi f t h S u l t a n o f B r u n e i
(1485-1524), Brunei Darussalam
expanded her sphere of influence to
the entire Borneo Island. The collapse
of the Malaccan Empire in 1511 by
the Portuguese, gave Brunei the
opportunity to strengthen her trade
relations, and consecutively the
spread of Islam beyond her borders,
namely to Palawan Island, Sulu, Belayan, Mindoro, Bonbon, Belabak, Belambangan, Bangi,
Mentanai and Saludang (today known as the Philippines)4 . The barge at the lagoon of the
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, replicates from the ship of Sultan Bolkiah, the 5th
Sultan of Brunei.
3 Borneo Insider’s Guide. (2016). Reliving the Past. http://borneoinsidersguide.com/brunei-
archaeological-park/
4Rozan Yunos. (2016). Brunei’s Golden Period of Expansion. http://
bruneiresources.blogspot.com/2016/11/bruneis-golden-period-of-expansion-mib.html
The establishment of Hukum Kanun Brunei (Brunei’s Code of Laws) during the reign of the
Sultan Muhammad Hasan (1582-1589) acts as the application of Islamic Laws in governing
of the state, administration of resources and state customs.
Part of Brunei’s Canons from the 16th Century during
the reign of the Sultan Muhammad Hasan (1582-1589).
The centre of the city changes from Kota Batu to the water settlements in Kampong Ayer
(Water Village). Kampong Ayer was the centre of economic and socio-cultural development.
One can still see the names of the villages depicting the socio-economic activities they once
niched. For example, Kampong Pandai Besi hosts silversmiths while Kampong Pekilong Muara
are villages of fishermen.
Padian (Ladies on boats) sell sundries from house to house (circa 1952).
In 1906, the centre of the country moved from water to land.
Development started to flourish, and in 1952, Sultan Omar Ali
Saifuddien III started the modern development of Bandar Brunei
(Brunei Town). Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien is also known as
the Architect of Modern Brunei. Brunei Town continued to
develop as the centre for economic and socio-cultural
development. Islamic infrastructure were also developed, and
these include Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, the
establishment of Religious Affairs Department, and the
establishment of Islamic Religious Schools.
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah has
consented to change the name of Brunei Town to Bandar Seri
Begawan, in 4th October 1970. His Majesty Sultan Haji
Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah is the enforcer of
Islam and Islamic Law in Brunei Darussalam. In the
proclamation of the independence of Brunei Darussalam (1
January 1984), His Majesty announced that Brunei Darussalam
shall always be an independent, sovereign and democratic
Malay Islamic Monarchy, which uphold the Islamic teachings
according to the Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamaah (Shafie Sect), and
based on justice, trust and freedom, and with the guidance and
will of Allah the Compassionate and the Merciful, and always strive to achieve tranquility,
peace, welfare and happiness for its citizens.”
His Majesty has implemented various efforts in strengthening and
refining Islamic Development in the country such as the
establishment of Seri Begawan Religious Teachers College in 1972;
Tahfiz Al-Quran Institute in 1993; Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien
Islamic Studies Institute in 1999; the launch of Mushaf Brunei
Darussalam in 1992; establishment of Islamic Banks in 1991; the
banning of alcohol in 1990; and implementation of the Shariah
Penal Code in 2014. His Majesty also declares that Brunei Darussalam is a country that is
free from alcohol in 1 December 1990.
Bandar Seri Begawan is a city with cultural excellence, enriched Islamic culture and human
culture prosperity. The political, economic and socio-cultural development can be proven
with civilizational landmarks and the establishment of Islamic cultural landmarks.
During the 9th Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers in
Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, Bandar Seri Begawan was
nominated as the Islamic Culture Capital for the Asia Region
in 2019. Insha Allah, 2019 will be filled with activities
celebrating the declaration of Bandar Seri Begawan as the
Capital of Islamic Culture.
THE STEERING COMMITTEE Advisor The Honourable Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr.) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, The State Mufti, Prime Minister's Office Chairman The Honourable Major General (Rtd.) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports
Co-Deputy Chairpersons Datin Seri Paduka Dayang Elinda binti C.A Mohammed Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar Deputy Ministers of Religious Affairs Datin Seri Paduka Dr Dayang Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh Deputy Minister of Education Co-Secretaries Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Aziz bin Orang Kaya Maharaja Lela Haji Mohd Yusof Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Religious Affairs Dato Seri Setia Dr. Haji Japar bin Haji Mat Dain @Maidin Deputy State Mufti Awang Salminan bin Haji Burut Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs Datin Paduka Dr. Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports
Members of the Steering Committee Awang Haji Mohammed Rosli bin Haji Ibrahim Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister's Office Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Azman bin Ahmad Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education Pengiran Kamalrudzaman bin Pengiran Haji Mohd Ishak Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohammad Erwan bin Haji Hambali Deputy Commissioner of Brunei Royal Police Awang Abdul Walid bin Haji Metussin Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs Awang Haji Mohd Seruddin bin Haji Timbang Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs Religious Affairs Awang Wardi bin Haji Mohammad Ali Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism Dr Chin Wei Keh Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education Awang Haji Amer Hamzah bin Pehin Orang Kaya Amar Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Zakaria Senior Special Duties Officer, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Awang Haji Zakaria bin Haji Serudin Senior Special Duties Officer, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports
Head of the Secretariat
Awang Haji Mohd Abdoh bin Haji Awang Damit
Act. Director of Culture and the Arts, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports
Awang Saiful Nizam bin Sulaiman
Act. Director of Adminstration, State Mufti Department, Prime Minister's Office.
Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque as seen from
the Crescent Walk of Silver Jubilee Crown ParkTHE WORKING COMMITTEE
Steering
Committee
Advisor J
Chairman
Working Committee Secretariat
Exhibitions Media Calendar Publishing
Chairperson
Datin Paduka Dr. Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports
Sub-Committees
Exhibition - State Mufti Department & Brunei History Centre
Media - Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; Information Department & Radio
Television Brunei
Calendar - Museums Department & Tourism Development Department
Publishing - Language and Literature DepartmentCALENDAR OF EVENTS Throughout the year of 2019, Bandar Seri Begawan, Insha Allah, will witness the different activities planned and organized to celebrate the Capital of Islamic Culture. The activities can be grouped into few such as Main Activities, Academic Activities, Religious Activities, Islamic Culture and Arts, Sports and Recreation, Competitions and Expo. The three main activities organised for the celebrations are; • Exhibition on Bandar Seri Begawan Architectural and Monuments Trail( (Kick Off Event, 17 January 2019) • 2nd International Islamic Expo • Photography and Painting Exhibition on Al-Quds Al-Sharif
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam with Royal Family in the Annual
Maulid Procession
Some of the activities for Celebrations of Bandar Seri Begawan as
the Islamic Culture Capital for the Asia Region, 2019.Islamic Calligraphy Workshop Jawi (Malay Writings based on Arabic letters) can be seen in all signboards.
LOGO OF THE CELEBRATIONS
Designer
Abd. Ajihis bin Haji Terawih,
Designer Grade II,
Language and Literature Department,
Ministry of Culture, Youth and SportsDESCRIPTION OF THE LOGO T he logo depicts the important elements of an Islamic Civilisation which are The Belief System which is Islam; Centre of Administration; Political, Economical and Socio-Cultural Development; Language; Culture, Arts and Letters; and Legislation. The elements of an Islamic Civilisation is shown from the logo through three elements of the logo, the outline of Sultan Omar Ali Mosque, the crescent and the star, which also states three core philosophy of Brunei Darussalam, Malay, Islamic and Monarchy. Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is a landmark of Bandar Seri Begawan. This iconic building is a historic one and is the centre of the development of Islam in Brunei Darussalam. The mosque was build in 1958 and depicts the modern Islamic architecture. Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien (also known as the Architect of Modern Brunei) designed the mosque. The crescent is the iconographic symbol used in various Islamic historical contexts. The main dome and the minaret is a sign that the culture of Brunei is based on Islam that brings blessings of Allah to the society. The Bruneian Culture is well-known for its fineness, mannerism, loyalty to the religion, the Sultan and the nation, and a peaceful life. The basis of the Islamic calendar is the Lunar calendar. The five pointed star depicts the basic tenets of Islam, the five pillars. The colours of the Brunei flag in the crescent means that Brunei Darussalam will always be an Islamic country and Islam is the official religion. The use of the colour green is a symbol that Islam will always bloom in Bandar Seri Begawan. Green is one of the colour of the Prophet ﷺ. It was reported by Anas ibn Mali (Allah be pleased with him) that "The most beloved of colors to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was gree."[Tabarani, Mu'jam al-Awsat; al-Bazzar, Musnad]. It was further strengthened by a corroborating narration in which Anas and a group of people went out to a plot of land covered in vegetation, and so someone exclaimed, "How beautiful is this greenery!" Thereafter, Anas reminisced that, "We used to say that the Prophet's ﷺfavourite colour was green"[al-Bayhaqi, Shu'ab al-Iman]. The use jawi script, english language and arabic shows the importance of the three languages in Brunei Darussalam. The three languages ensure that knowledge and the understanding of the Islamic teachings will continuously be practised in Brunei Darussalam.
T H E H E R I TA G E T R A I L W alk around Bandar Seri Begawan and indulge yourself in the serenity and hospitality of the monuments, cultural landmarks and the people. Explore our heritage and our lives around the heritage trail. Do not forget to explore Kampong Ayer (Water Village), a historical settlement are in Bandar Seri Begawan where it was once known as the Venice of the East and City of Many Waters.
PROMINENT RELIGIOUS FIGURES IN
B R U N E I H I S T O RY ( 1 5 T H T O 1 8 T H
C E N T U RY )
BY ROZAN YUNOS, IN THE GOLDEN LEGACY, 4 SEPTEMBER 2016
There are two short roads leading to the Arabic Secondary School near the Batu Satu area at
Jalan Tutong. The roads are named Pehin Dato Perdana Menteri Sheikh Haji Abd Rahman
and Pehin Dato Perdana Menteri Sheikh Haji Abd Halim. The many people who drove past
these road signs everyday probably have no idea who they were. It is not surprising. Not
many people know who the prominent religious figures in our Islamic history were and not
much has been written about them.
One of the major publication in this area was a book published by the Brunei Museums in
1992, more than 24 years ago. It was entitled ‘Tokoh-Tokoh Agama di Brunei Darussalam:
Pengenalan Ringkas’ or ‘Prominent Religious Figures in Brunei Darussalam: A Short
Introduction’. The book was compiled by a few writers who were assisted by a number of
Brunei Islamic Scholars and senior officers of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The book was divided into two parts. The first part consisted of prominent religious figures
from the 15th to 18th centuries and the second part consisted of religious figures born in
the 19th century. The book also contained a substantive introduction which can easily
become a third part, that is about the history of the spread of Islam to Brunei and the role of
the religion in Brunei’s society and administrative system.
It is not known when Islam first appeared in Brunei Darussalam. Though generally by 1376
AD, local historians accepted that Awang Alak Betatar accepted the Islamic faith with his
marriage to the princess of Sultan Johor (Sultan Iskandar Shah Tumasik). Awang Alak
Betatar became Sultan Muhammad. It was the third Sultan, Sultan Sharif Ali which spread
the religion further. He built a mosque which had a seven layer roof structure believed to be
around the Kota Batu area.
The main evidence of the spread of Islam in Brunei was through the design of the ‘batu
nisan’ or grave markers or gravestones marking the graves of the religious figures. These
were in general elaborately designed with Muslim motifs and carved with Arabic and Jawi
lettering. One of the earliest was a gravestone belonging to a Chinese Muslim Pu Kung ChihMu dating back to 1264 AD. The others included the princess of Sultan Abdul Majid (who died in China) dated 1402 AD and Syarif Hud who died in 1499 AD. In Tutong, one of the earliest Muslim graves was dated 1561 AD. Among the prominent figures responsible for spreading Islam in Brunei in the early 15th centuries were Sultan Syarif Ali and Syarif Mu’faqih. Syarif Ali came from Taif in today’s Saudi Arabia in 1370. He was a descendant of Prophet Muhammad through the Prophet’s grandson, Sayidina Hassan bin Ali bin Abi Thalib. Sultan Syarif Ali married Sultan Ahmad’s princess and on the demise of Sultan Ahmad in 1425 AD, he ascended the throne and became the third Sultan of Brunei. It was during his reign that the spread of Islam was said to have taken place widely in Brunei Darussalam. Up to now he was known as ‘Sultan Berkat’. Another Muslim preacher during the same time period was Syarif Mu’Faqih and most probably assisted Sultan Syarif Ali in spreading Islam in Brunei. He was also known as Syarif Alwi Ba Faqih and also came around 1375 AD. Many of the Syarifs who came to Brunei during those times came to teach the Quran and the Islamic laws to the local people. The Bruneians then were very respectful to the Syarifs who came from the Middle East and they were considered as ‘Wali Allah’ and ‘Keramat’. Syarif Mu’Faqih left behind a special supplication (doa) as told by Allahyarham Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Abu Bakar bin Mohd Salleh who lived in Kampong Kiulap. Another Muslim scholar who came to Brunei was Sheikh Adam. He was not known in the Brunei history but was identified when his gravestone was discovered in Kota Batu. He died in 1454 AD. It is widely believed that he was among a number of Muslim preachers who came during the time of Sultan Syarif Ali. Another was Syed Abu Bakar who was said to have stop over in Brunei in 1450 AD on his way to Sulu. In 1515 AD, another Muslim preacher, Zainal Abidin the son of Syarif Ali came over from Malacca. Several other gravestones have been found in Rangas with one not so legible other than the words ‘Al- Syeikh’. In 1932, T.F. Carey writing in an article published in the Royal Asiatic Society journal wrote about ‘The Two Early Muslim Tombs in Brunei’ who noted that another Muslim preacher was buried in Brunei. He was Syarif Hud. Carey wrote that ‘in the year of Hijra 905, Syarif Hud died returning to the Mercy of Allah on 20 Rabiulawal Monday and was buried in the morning’. The year 905 Hijra is the year 1499 AD. Unfortunately that gravestone had not been discovered since then.
Another figure identified through the gravestone was Sulaiman bin Abdul Rahman. He died in 1418 AD and his gravestone was carved in both Arabic and Sanskrit. Sanskrit was the predominant language of the time before Jawi took over influenced by the Arabic script. There were a number of other Muslim preachers who did their work in the regions under the control of Brunei. These included Syarif Jaafar in Lingga, Syarif Sabudin and Syarif Sahib in Sadong; and Syarif Mollana in Melaka. In the latter centuries, among the prominent religious figures in Brunei was Imam Yaakub. Imam Yaakub was responsible for keeping the history of the Sultans of Brunei from the first Sultan Muhammad up to Sultan Muhammad Tajuddin. These were later carved on the Genealogical Tablet. According to Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Dr. Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti writing in Beriga (1987) a Dewan Bahasa Pustaka Brunei publicaton, Imam Yaakub came to Brunei around 1680 AD during the reign of Sultan Muhyddin. He came from Macassar and studied in Makkah before coming to Brunei. The final prominent figure identified born before the 19th century, was Maulana Pengiran Haji Abdul Momin bin Pengiran Sabtu. Maulana Pengiran Abdul Momin was from Kampong Pengiran Siraja Muda. According to Allahyarham Pengiran Dato Haji Abas bin Pengiran Aliuddin, Maulana Abdul Momin studied in Makkah in the early 1800s. He married an Arab when he studied there.
PROMINENT RELIGIOUS FIGURES IN
B R U N E I H I S T O RY ( 1 9 T H C E N T U RY )
BY ROZAN YUNOS, IN THE GOLDEN LEGACY, 11 SEPTEMBER 2016
DURING the 19th century, there were a number of religious scholars born, a number of
whom are considered as prominent religious figures of Brunei. They were documented in a
special publication done by the Brunei Museums Department entitled ‘Tokoh-Tokoh Agama
di Negara Brunei Darussalam: Pengenalan Ringkas written by a few writers based on
interviews and documentation with senior religious officials. The book was published in
1992.
The first was Dato Hj Ahmad Hj Abdul Latip. Dato Hj Ahmad was well known in the 19th
century as an Islam preacher. He was born in Banjarmasin, Kalimantan and was said to have
come to Brunei during the reign of Sultan Abdul Momin (24th Sultan of Brunei 1852-1885).
According to Dayang Hjh Joriah Hj Metali who wrote an article about him in the Pusaka
journal, Dato Hj Ahmad was born in a cemetery when his pregnant mother died and was
buried. He lived in Kampung Burong Pingai and taught the Quran, Islamic Laws and other
religious material to the people of Kampung Burong Pingai, Kampung Buang Tekuruk and
Kampung Lurong Dalam.
Sultan Abdul Momin appointed him as the Supervisor for Islamic Development and he was
also appointed a kadi. He turned down the title of Datu Seri Maharaja. He taught a number
of Bruneians and was buried at the Jalan Residency cemetery when he died.
Pehin Siraja Khatib Abdul Razak Hassanudin (1879-1939) was born in Kampung Burong
Pingai Ayer, and learnt from religious teachers around the village. He also travelled to Sibuti
and Kelias and while there, he was appointed as the imam for the mosques in Sibuti, Kelias
and Papar.
He was an active writer, especially in writing syair, under the pen name of Abdul Fatah.
Many of his syairs featured the society and their way of life then. He has many students, and
he was appointed to a number of positions in the government.
In 1913, he was appointed as a kadi, in 1918 as Pehin Khatib, and in 1919 Sultan
Muhammad Jamalul Alam II appointed him as Pehin Siraja Khatib Al-Kadi Brunei. He was
also appointed as a member of the State Legislative Council.Pehin Khatib Muhammad Hassan (1860-1941) was born in Kampung Lurong Sikuna, and his father frequently brought him to visit Semporna and Sundar to find work. During those visits, he learnt about Islam from the Islamic scholars in the area. He taught Islam from his own home voluntarily, and many students came to learn from him. His house was frequently visited, and a special prayer hall was built nearby to avoid congestion at his house. He died when he was 80 years old. Mudim Hj Yahya Sidek (1890-1942) was taught religious education by his own grandfather, Allahyarham Pehin Udana Khatib Saidi. He also learnt from other religious scholars, such as Pehin Datu Imam Haji Abdul Mokti and Pengiran Digadong Pengiran Haji Mohammad Salleh. He was very firm in teaching and his students studied diligently under him. He was also active in writing, and he wrote about the rules of nikah (marriage) entitled ‘Kaifiyat Bernikah-nikahan’ and this handwritten rules was dated September 4, 1936. He died when he was 52 years old. Pehin Khatib Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman Sambas’ (1875-1943) family was originally from Sambas, and his father moved to Brunei after migrating to Sarawak. He married a Bruneian and Pehin Khatib Abdul Razak was born at Kampung Limbongan. Pehin Khaib learnt religious education and also mastered English, Chinese and Tamil. He was an active writer but none of his writings had survived. He continued to educate himself on various aspects of the religion and would often call a preacher to the mosque to discuss and learn from him. He also travelled to Sabah and Sarawak to learn from the religious scholars there. He was conferred the title ‘Mudim’ by Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin in 1930, and appointed as Jurunikah in 1939. He was conferred the title Pehin Khatib before he died. Tuan Imam Abdul Rahman Awang Matseruddin (1872-1945) was taught religious education by his father, and he furthered his knowledge by learning from other religious scholars. He actively taught religious education to many students and for that he was awarded the title Pehin Khatib. In 1939, he was conferred the title Pehin Tuan Imam. Marbut Awang Tunggal Chuchu (1880-1945) was quite well-known. He was the Marbut for the Pekan Brunei Mosque, the country’s main mosque prior to the Second World War. The mosque was sometimes known by his name as Masjid Ujung Tunggal or Masjid Tunggal or Masjid Marbut Tunggal as he spent the majority of his life at the mosque.
He considered the mosque as his own house, and he looked after it diligently. He built his own house very near the mosque. He was born in 1880 at Kampung Ujong Bukit, and he looked after the mosque until he died in 1945. He learnt a lot of religious knowledge and he spent his time teaching other people especially Al-Quran and Zikir. He also taught the policemen who lived in the police barracks nearby before the second world war. The mosque was destroyed by bombings from the allied forces when they wanted to recapture Brunei from the Japanese. Marbut Awang Tunggal had to leave the mosque and stayed at Kampung Ujong Bukit until he died. Pehin Datu Imam Hj Mokti Hj Nasar (1864-1946) was born in 1864 in Kampong Burong Pingai Ayer. He studied religious knowledge under Dato Ahmad Hj Abdul Latif and Syeikh Ahmad Khatib Sambas, another religious scholar from Indonesia. Pehin studied Tariqat Qadariah from the scholar and also from books from Indonesia and Sumatra such as ‘As- Sirat Al-Mustaqim’. He also travelled widely to spread the religion by going to Sarawak and Sambas. He was able to perform his haj in Makkah and stayed there for four years and this enabled him to learn and speak Arabic. Upon his return, he established a special hall which he used for teaching. He travelled internally too, to the interior such as Pudak, Pulau Berbunut and Labu Estate to spread the religion further. He also taught at Padas in Sabah. Among his many students included His Highness Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam and His Highness Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien III. In 1920, he officiated at the opening of a new mosque in Labu Estate in Temburong. He left a number of writings including duaas and fatwa, the genealogy of Tariqat Qadariah, description about the cholera outbreak in 1290 and 1322 hijrahs, and the history and advices of Lukman Al-Hakim.
C O N TA C T S Bandar Seri Begawan as Islamic Culture Capital Secretariat Office, Culture and Arts Section, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Level 5, Culture and the Arts Section Simpang 336-17, Jalan Kebangsaan, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, BA1210. Awang Haji Mohd Abdoh bin Haji Awang Damit Act. Director of Culture and the Arts abdoh.damit@kkbs.gov.bn / abdoh_damit@hotmail.com Dk. Juni Hana binti Pg. Haji Chuchu Act. Assistant Director of Culture and the Arts hana.chuchu@kkbs.gov.bn Siti Raheemah binti Haji Abdul Rahman Culture, Youth and Sports Officer raheemah.rahman@kkbs.gov.bn Telephone: +673-2380693 Facsimile: +673-2380639 Website: www.kkbs.gov.bn
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