Brunei

How are Christians persecuted in Brunei?

• A Christian from a Muslim background is likely to be disowned by their family and forced to leave home.
• Unmarried women who convert face the possibility of forced marriage to a Muslim man.
• Converts also suffer beatings, humiliation and threats of imprisonment from religious authorities.
• Non-traditional Christian communities cannot be registered as churches, but must be registered as companies, societies or family centres – and, since they are treated as secular organisations, they have to submit financial and operational reports to the government every year.
• Young people are particularly affected by the mandatory religious education of children. Under changes announced in October 2023, children as young as three years old now have Islamic religious education incorporated into their general studies.

“If they see my cross necklace, they’ll accuse me of spreading the gospel.” – Lina*

Why are Christians persecuted in Brunei?

• Converts from Islam face considerable pressure as conversion is punishable by law and everything will be done to bring converts back to their original faith.
• The law bars anyone who has converted from Islam being granted custody of a minor, so converts risk having their children taken away from them, to ensure the children are raised as Muslims.
• The introduction of Sharia (Islamic law) in 2019 continues to have an impact of freedom of religion in Brunei. Women are forced to wear a hijab and are punished by the religious authorities when they refuse to wear one.

Who is particularly vulnerable in Brunei?

• Converts from Islam face the most intense persecution, and technically can be charged with the crime of apostasy under Sharia (Islamic law). 

What has changed in Brunei in the past year?

• Brunei has fallen four places on the World Watch List, but the persecution score has remained the same. The change in position is due to persecution intensifying in other countries.
• Since Brunei fully implemented Sharia (Islamic law) in 2019, it has been unclear what effect this will have on Christians and other minorities. Fortunately, so far, the situation has not become too much worse for believers.

How can I help Christians in Brunei?

Please keep praying for your brothers and sisters in Brunei. Your gifts and prayers make an enormous difference to those following Jesus no matter the cost.  

Open Doors raises prayer support for persecuted believers in Brunei.

  *Name changed for security reasons