Day 20
Brunei
In October, Brunei hosted the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings. While the situation in Myanmar dominated the discussions, some used the opportunity to comment on Brunei’s appalling human rights record. The comments were about the lack of religious freedom. Non-Muslims consistently face discrimination on all fronts; they aren’t allowed to worship freely. As we celebrate the coming of Jesus, we pray for Brunei, a nation where any kind of Christmas celebration (and even decorations) is banned. We declare that our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death (The Bible, Psalm 68:20).
Source: ASEAN Summit Should Draw Attention to Brunei’s Appalling Human Rights Record (The Diplomat)
Brunei has boasted a small but prosperous economy. Its wealthy standard of living surely contributes to the wild popularity of its sultan who provides free health care, housing, and education to his countrymen. The nation has begun exploring alternative sources of income as it foresees its oil reserves running out. Sharia (Islamic) law was fully implemented in 2019. The enormous international backlash against the death penalty by stoning homosexual acts resulted in the Sultan reneging and claiming the death penalty will not be applied, but concerns about the fate of Christians in the country remained out of the spotlight. Propagating any other religion than Islam is illegal.
