On 27th August 2025, the front page of Pelita Brunei carried a striking photograph: our beloved Sultan, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, shaking hands with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia. The headline read, “Hubungan NBD, Malaysia Kekal Erat, Mesra.” It…
Tag: Brunei
Traffic and the National Psyche
Ever noticed how traffic tells you a lot about a country’s personality? It’s like the national psyche on wheels. You can learn more from 15 minutes on the road than from a 300-page vision document. Because traffic is where people show their true colours—when no one’s watching and everyone just…
The Spiritual Appeal of Umrah: Why This Pilgrimage Is Becoming More Popular Than Ever
In recent years, there’s been a noticeable surge in the number of Muslims undertaking Umrah. Once considered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity or a prelude to the Hajj, Umrah has become a popular spiritual retreat, attracting millions of pilgrims annually. So, what’s driving this trend? Why are more and more people embarking…
A Journey of Renewal: My First Ramadan Prayers at the Mosque
Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection, offers each of us a unique chance to deepen our spirituality. This past Ramadan, I embarked on a particularly transformative journey—one that led me through the doors of a mosque for my prayers for the very first time in a verrry…
40 years on…
As we stand on the brink of Brunei Darussalam’s 40th National Day celebration, I find myself reflecting deeply on what this day signifies for us as a nation and for me personally. This milestone is not just a marker of time; it’s a tapestry of our collective dreams, struggles, and…
A Decade Later: Overcoming Fear, Cyber-Bullying, and Injustice
It’s been ten years since a simple Facebook post about an event in Malaysia aimed at reducing fear of dogs among Muslims turned my life upside down. What began as a personal share, reflecting my own fears of dogs, spiraled into a nightmare of cyber-bullying and personal attacks. This online…

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