On the occasion of the 32nd Anniversary of the National Day of Brunei Darussalam, I was honored to accept the Invitation by the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Brunei to the United Nation Office, the World Trade Organisation and other International Organisations in Geneva His Excellency Dato Mahdi Rahman.

I had the opportunity to thank His Excellency for the Invitation as well as for the great help that Brunei Goverment has shown to the Kosovo students during 2001 until 2008. During these years there were more than 100 students from all over the world who studied at the University of Brunei Darussalam.

I was very lucky to be one of them who studied at this great University were the lecturers were working so hard to teach us and indeed they did their best.

Now, after eight years of completing our studies the kosovo students are serving in the path if Da’wah section in the whole Europe walhamdulilah.

We pray to Allah, the Almighty to reward the Brunei citizents and the Goverment who supported us so much as well as other students from Bosnia, Oman, Maldives, Malaysia, Singapore, Patani, Africa and many others.

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Brunei National Day (‘Hari Nasional’ in Malay) is always celebrated on 23 February. This holiday marks full independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. It is the National Day of Brunei.

History of Brunei National Day

At the turn of the fifteenth century, the Bruneian Empire under the leadership of Sultan Bolkiah emerged as an important power within the Malay Archipelago, controlling several regions in Borneo.

During the nineteenth century, the influence and domain of the Bruneian Empire was starting to wane, eventually becoming a British protectorate in 1888.

Brunei was occupied by the Japanese during World War II, invading only a week after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Brunei was liberated by Australian forces in June 1945.

In 1959, a new constitution was adopted which declared Brunei a self-governing state, though foreign affairs, security, and defence matters remained under the control of Britain.

Despite a minor rebellion that was suppressed in 1962, Brunei’s position as a UK Protectorate was largely peaceful. On 1 January 1984, Brunei gained its independence from the United Kingdom.

The official name of the country is Sultanate of Brunei, Abode of Peace or ‘Negara Brunei Darussalam’ in Malay.

Even though Brunei became independent on 1 January 1984, British control over formally ended on 23 February 1984, so it is this date that now commemorates Brunei’s independence.

Best regards

Mr. Feim Dragusha

Imam and Religions leader in St. Gallen – Switzerland