VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBD #0288/01 3380641
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 040641Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4724

UNCLAS BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 000288 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR DRL/IRF/KAOE, EAP/MTS/COPPOLAMG 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KISL KIRF BX
SUBJECT: OVERVIEW OF BRUNEI'S HAJJ PILGRIMS 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Government of Brunei (GoB) is committed to 
supporting the Hajj pilgrimage for Bruneian citizens, including 
recent converts to Islam. As Brunei's pilgrims return, it is useful 
to highlight how the GoB supports the annual Hajj pilgrimage.  This 
year, there were 766 official Brunei Hajj pilgrims.  Amongst the 
pilgrims were thirty-three medical and Hajj liaison officers. 
Concerns about H1N1 flu prompted additional medical officers.  The 
Hajj pilgrims were given priority to receive H1N1 virus vaccination 
from the GoB's limited supply. In addition, the Sultan of Brunei 
opened his palace to the pilgrims for lavish departure meals. The 
Sultan, along with the Royal Family, met with the pilgrims and he 
awarded twelve new Muslim converts BND9, 300 (USD6, 700) for 
performing their Hajj pilgrimage.  The preferential treatment shown 
to those undertaking and completing the hajj is reflective of the 
Sultan and the GoB's support for Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) belief 
system and the importance of the Hajj within MIB. End Summary. 
 
HEALTH AND WELFARE CONCERNS: H1N1 
¶2. (SBU) The Government of Brunei (GoB) places a high priority on 
ensuring Brunei Hajj pilgrims' health and welfare.  Of the 766 
people performing this year's hajj pilgrimage, 33 were medical and 
Hajj liaison officers. Due to H1N1 flu concerns, Hajj pilgrims were 
the first group of Bruneians to receive the H1N1 vaccinations.  The 
Ministry of Health also provided the Hajj group with more Tamiflu, 
antibiotics, and other medications than in previous years. 
 
¶3. (SBU) The Hajj Management Department within the Ministry of 
Religious Affairs (MoRA) and the Brunei's government hospital H1N1 
committee advised senior citizens, patients with chronic disease, 
pregnant mothers and children under 12 yrs old to postpone their 
Hajj plans.  Performing the Hajj involves a lot of physical 
challenges that would weaken the immune system for the high-risk 
group potentially making them more prone to H1N1 infection, 
according to the GoB.  The MoRA Hajj Department senior officer 
stated that 300 intending pilgrims under the high-risk group 
postponed their Hajj trip for this year. H1N1 likely caused a 14 
percent drop in the total number of Hajj pilgrims. 
 
TRAVEL AND RELIGIOUS PREPARATIONS 
¶4. (SBU) The MoRA and its Hajj Management Department is responsible 
for coordinating Brunei Hajj pilgrims travel. This year, five travel 
agencies were chosen by the MoRA to provide full service Hajj travel 
packages.  Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) operated four specially 
chartered flights to Medina. The Minister of Religious Affairs, 
Pehin Zain, and Deputy Minister, Pehin Badarudin, greeted each 
pilgrim prior to departure at the Brunei airport. 
 
¶5. (SBU) It is compulsory for intending Hajj pilgrims to attend a 
Hajj course prior to their trip to Saudi Arabia. The course is 
provided by the MoRA Hajj Management Department along with the 
Islamic Da'wah Centre providing additional courses to new Muslim 
converts. The courses address the rules and regulations on how to 
perform the Hajj rites. 
 
 
 
SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR HAJJ PILGRIMS 
¶6. (SBU) Every Hajj season, the Sultan of Brunei awards new Muslim 
converts fully funded Hajj airfare.  This year, His Majesty awarded 
twelve new converts BND 3,500. Each Muslim convert also received an 
additional BND 5, 800 to pay for the full Hajj travel package as 
well as providing spending money. In total, each recipient received 
BND 9, 300 (USD 6,700).  The Sultan also awards the Hajj fare to all 
Muslim government officers who have more than 15 years of government 
service. It is an entitlement that Muslim government officer who can 
choose to claim, if they wish. In addition, Brunei military 
personnel and civilian staff at the Royal Brunei Armed Force 
Headquarters and bases and the Ministry of Defense who intend to 
perform the Hajj pilgrimage, on top of the Hajj fare privileges, 
also receive cash donations and medical care. Some local companies 
would also provide Hajj fares to their local Muslim employees who 
have worked with the company for more than 15 years. 
 
¶7. (SBU) The Sultan and royal family members personally met with 
intending Hajj pilgrims at the Istana Nurul Iman. This year, the 
Sultan presented 'ihram' clothing to the men and a suit of 'telkong' 
to the women making the Hajj. Pilgrims are provided a lavish meal as 
well as opportunity to greet the Sultan and royal family members 
prior to their departure. The event was widely covered in the local 
media. 
 
COMMENT 
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¶8. (SBU) The Sultan and the GoB place a special emphasis on the 
Hajj. The financial support is an important component of the program 
as well as an opportunity for the Sultan to publicly show his 
support for this fundamental element of the Islamic faith.  Support 
for the Hajj is part of the government's overall efforts to sustain 
the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) belief system. 
TODD