The State Mufti (Malay: Mufti Kerajaan) is the most senior and most influential Sunni Muslim Ulema (religious and legal authority) in Brunei. The holder of the position is appointed by the Sultan of Brunei. The State Mufti is the head of the all Ulema in Brunei.

State Mufti Office
Jabatan Mufti Kerajaan
جابتن مفتي كراجأن

State Mufti Office in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Agency overview
Formed1 September 1994; 30 years ago (1994-09-01)
JurisdictionGovernment of Brunei
Headquarters26, Jalan Pengiran Babu Raja, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei BA2112
Employeesc. 1,000
Annual budgetB$260 million
Agency executives
Parent agencyPrime Minister's Office
Child agency
Websitewww.pmo.gov.bn
www.mufti.gov.bn

Role

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The State Mufti is the most senior religious authority in the country. His main role is to give opinions (fatwas) on legal matters and on social affairs base on Islamic Koran, Hadeeth, Qiyas and Ijma' of Ulema.[1]

History

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The first State Mufti of Brunei was Ismail Omar Abdul Aziz from 1962 to 1965. He had been Mufti of Johore in Malaysia. In 1967, Ismail again became Brunei's State Mufti until his death. In 1994, Brunei-born Vice State Mufti Abdul Aziz Juned became the country's State Mufti.[2]

List of state muftis

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State Mufti

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Portrait Minister Term start Term end Time in office Ref.
  Ismail Omar Abdul Aziz 1 April 1962 31 March 1965 2 years, 364 days [3]
8 March 1967 3 February 1994 26 years, 332 days
  Abdul Aziz Juned 1 September 1994 Incumbent 30 years, 78 days [4]

Deputy State Mufti

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Portrait Minister Term start Term end Time in office Ref.
  Suhaili Mohiddin 1 September 1994 31 August 2015 20 years, 364 days [5]
Japar Mat Dain @ Maidin 1 September 2015 Incumbent 9 years, 78 days [5]

References

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  1. ^ Syariah law critics do not understand Islam: Mufti | The Brunei Times
  2. ^ Kementerian Hal Ehwal Ugama Negara Brunei Darussalam : SEJARAH PENUBUHAN JABATAN HAL EHWAL SYARIAH
  3. ^ "Berita - Allahyarham Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato..." www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Jabatan Mufti Kerajaan - Mufti Kerajaan". www.mufti.gov.bn. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  5. ^ a b "PENUBUHAN". Jabatan Mufti Kerajaan (in Malay). Retrieved 17 July 2024.