Brunei studying Kingdom’s implementation of Shariah

Brunei has sought Saudi Arabia’s assistance in the implementation of Shariah criminal law in the island country, stating that the Kingdom, which had the expertise, was unparalleled in implementing the Shariah criminal law.
Brueni’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah had announced the government’s move to enforce introduction of the Shariah Penal Code in a phased manner from April this year.
Following the announcement, a high-power delegation of 18 members led by Brunei’s Religious Affairs Minister Mohamemd Abdul Rahman, visited the Kingdom to study the methods of implementation of Shariah criminal law. The delegation returned to Bandar Seri Begawan on Wednesday after the five-day visit.
Official sources told Arab News on Thursday that the delegation met with Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz to discuss subjects of mutual interest. The delegation comprised representatives from Islamic Religious Council, Attorney General’s Chambers, State Mufti’s Office, Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Information Department, Royal Brunei Police Force, Prisons Department and Ministry of Health, said an official from Brunei Embassy.
The delegation called on two chief justices of Saudi Arabia. At the General Court Building in Manfuhah, Riyadh, the minister met with Chief Judge Sheikh Ibrahim Abdullah Al-Hisni, and went around the facilities in the court.
He also met the chief of Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court, Sheikh Ghayhab Muhammad Al-Ghayhab, an official statement from Brunei said.
The delegation also witnessed a trial on road traffic offenses in the Kingdom. The courtroom visit was part of the delegation’s program to study how the country implemented its Shariah criminal law, the statement said.
The delegation also met Dr. Sheikh Abdullah Muhammad Ibrahim Al-Sheikh at Saudi Arabia’s Consultative Council headquarters.
Brunei media, reporting on the visit, quoted officials saying: “The delegation got an insight on how Saudi Arabia implemented and successfully ran the Shariah criminal law.”
Some members of the delegation are expected to visit Jeddah this month, an official told Arab News.
Brunei has already made religious education compulsory for Muslim children and ordered businesses to close during Friday prayers. But until now, Brunei’s Shariah courts were limited to family matters like marriage and inheritance.
Brunei’s citizens have one of the highest standards of living in Asia, thanks to revenues from oil and gas, and enjoy free medical care and education.