Brunei announces May 1 start of Sharia law implementation

[uptheos]

Why are so called advanced humans regressing back to the stone age???..... Brunei just made itself off limits to tourism.

Brunei does not need tourists. as simple as that.

Exactly, it's No 5 on the list of the worlds richest countries, with a GDP per capita of $48,000

Tourism is the least of their concerns.

[Steely Dan]

FYI: their new stoning to death Sharia law ALSO applies to gay people:

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei, April 16 (UPI) -- Brunei is about to pass a penal code that would allow people to be stoned to death for having gay sex.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2014/04/16/Brunei-about-to-legalize-stoning-for-gay-sex/6601397673459/#ixzz30SByObGp

So do you think Westerners for the most part, and even gay ones will care that much, or do you suspect they will hide behind the usual 'When in Rome' argument, as this does not apply to themselves?

Actually the western gay community have taken a very vocal stand on this, calling for a boycott of the hotel chains owned by the sultan. See my post 14. Google Brunei sultan hotel gay boycott. I fully support this stand but it does beg the question why boycott's of saudi owned business interests have not been forth coming.

Thanks, Though my question may have contained some cynicism I'm glad that someone is going as far as calling for a boycott where one is sorely needed. As an aside I'm now boycotting Subway sandwich shops until they put ham back on the menu.

[Cobragold]

From a Malaysian website, Malaysia is also considering this type of Muslim law. But if you go to Brunei be careful

Parts of the law also apply to non-Muslims. In February, Shariah law experts from the Ministry of Religious Affairs announced that non-Muslims could be punished for wearing indecent clothing that "disgraces Islam." The offender could be jailed for up to six months, fined a maximum penalty of BN 2,000 ($1,600), or both.

Even now, it is mandatory for women of all religionsincluding Christiansto wear a hijab (head covering) if they work for the government or are attending official functions. However, now that the Shariah penal code is enacted, a violation against these religious instructions will be criminalized.

In the past, church leaders claimed to receive heavy monitoring by the government so the new penal code is expected to add pressure, anxiety, and fear upon Christians who make up 8.7 percent of the population.

"Bruneis decision to implement criminal Shariah law is a huge step backwards for human rights in the country. It constitutes an authoritarian move towards brutal medieval punishments that have no place in the modern, 21st century world," says Phil Robertson, deputy director of the Asia division at Human Rights Watch.

Another restriction aimed at Christians who converted from a Muslim background includes a law that prohibits any Muslim parents from letting non-Muslims care for their child. The act is punishable by a jail term of up to five years, a fine of up to BN 20,000 ($15,600), or both.

Consequently, people who convert to Christianity can lose custody of their child should their new faith come to light. All parental rights are awarded to the Muslim parent if a child is born to mixed-faith parents and the non-Muslim parent is not recognized in any official document, including the childs birth certificate, wrote the U.S. Department of State in the 2012 International Religious Freedom Report.

Whats more, once Shariah law takes effect, the restriction may be extended to daycare services operated by non-Muslims.

The new penal code also cites that non-Muslims can no longer share their faith with Muslims and atheists. Offenders are at risk of being fined of up to BN 20,000 ($15,600), sent to jail for five years at most, or both.

Teaching other religions outside Islam to a child of Muslims or atheists carries the same punishment. Because of this, the few Christian schools will receive a setback as many of their students are non-Christians; the school day normally begins with a reading from the Bible.

Even now, parents have started demanding that we begin every gathering with a Muslim prayer instead, an unnamed school official told WWM.

Lastly, following the lead of neighboring Malaysia, the penal code claims 19 words to belong solely to Islam. Therefore, Christians are banned from using words like Allah (God) and Firman Allah (Gods Word), which are found in the Malay language Bible commonly used by Bruneians. Christian materials also cannot be brought into the country.

The extent to which the laws may affect non-Muslims is hard to predict given the fact that it is early in the implementation stage. The government admits lacking the infrastructure to support Sharia law. For one, there is a shortage of specialized judges in Sharia courts.

However, with a budget of BN 2 million ($1.5 million) for the 2014-15 fiscal year, it is only a matter of time before it puts the system in order. Once this is accomplished, Shariah law can be easily enforced to the small Bruneian population. By then, the above scenarios could become the reality of many Christians in Brunei, which ranks as the 24th most difficult country to be a Christian, in an annual list of 50 countries on the World Watch List.

[Cobragold]

http://www.charismanews.com/world/43716-why-christians-may-be-flogged-dismembered-or-stoned-to-death-in-brunei

Link to the above info

[Sandman77]

Maledives also start sharia

No alk or sex

Happy holiday !

[boomerangutang]

Maledives also start sharia

No alk or sex

Happy holiday !

Well some prescribed types of sex are permissible, as long as it's with a spouse (either of your four or five wives, a.k.a.; your property).

You may want to fasten the curtains down tight, because the religious police might be parked outside your window, looking to see if you're having sex in the prescribed way, as sanctioned by the Q'ran. But don't let your sexual habits reflect Mohammad's. Just do as you're told, not as the teller does, and you'll probably be allowed to shag.

Oh, and if the religious police guys catch your 14 year old daughter darting off to the market one evening, they're self-sanctioned to throw her down and gang rape her - to teach her a lesson in chastity. Sharia Law is great, isn't it.

[boomerangutang]

from the link mentioned by Cobragold

Another restriction aimed at Christians who converted from a Muslim background includes a law that prohibits any Muslim parents from letting non-Muslims care for their child. The act is punishable by a jail term of up to five years, a fine of up to BN 20,000 ($15,600), or both. Applies also to day-care centers. Brunei is nearly 10% Christian.

Consequently, people who convert to Christianity can lose custody of their child should their new faith come to light. “All parental rights are awarded to the Muslim parent if a child is born to mixed-faith parents and the non-Muslim parent is not recognized in any official document, including the child’s birth certificate.”

source

Boomerangutang's parting shot: Thanks Sultan, with the pretty uniform and medals plastered all over. Thanks for upholding a primitive and paranoid belief system, in all its archaic out-dated and grisly glory. Maybe you can sleep better at night, knowing you contributed to families being torn apart, and general misery spreading over your postage stamp-sized domain. Allah will smile on you.

[MJP]

I had thought for a long time Brunei was more socially developed. Appears that is no longer the case.

Me too, always thought it was a sort of utopia.

[soalbundy]

from the link mentioned by Cobragold

Another restriction aimed at Christians who converted from a Muslim background includes a law that prohibits any Muslim parents from letting non-Muslims care for their child. The act is punishable by a jail term of up to five years, a fine of up to BN 20,000 ($15,600), or both. Applies also to day-care centers. Brunei is nearly 10% Christian.

Consequently, people who convert to Christianity can lose custody of their child should their new faith come to light. “All parental rights are awarded to the Muslim parent if a child is born to mixed-faith parents and the non-Muslim parent is not recognized in any official document, including the child’s birth certificate.”

source

Boomerangutang's parting shot: Thanks Sultan, with the pretty uniform and medals plastered all over. Thanks for upholding a primitive and paranoid belief system, in all its archaic out-dated and grisly glory. Maybe you can sleep better at night, knowing you contributed to families being torn apart, and general misery spreading over your postage stamp-sized domain. Allah will smile on you.

Sounds like another influx of refugees to Europe, brilliant excuse, i've become a christian and will now lose my child if you don't help me

[webfact]

Brunei's crackdown on gay sex riles Hollywood jet-set
Catherine A Traywick
Foreign Policy
Washington


The Sultan of Brunei announces the three-phase implementation of sharia law last week. The third phase will include a law against gay sex that carries the death penalty.

WASHINGTON: -- Typically, the imposition of sharia law in a distant land doesn't make much of a splash in Hollywood. But in the case of Brunei, a tiny, oil-rich country whose overseas investments include California landmarks like the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Hotel Bel Air, the imposition of a law mandating the death penalty for gay sex is riling Hollywood elites.

Last week the sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, officially rolled out a harsh new penal code based on a strict interpretation of Islamic law, making Brunei the first country in East Asia to make sharia a formal part of its legal system. The first phase of the new law took effect this week and mandates fines and jail terms for "general" offences such as failing to pray on Fridays, getting pregnant out of wedlock, and cross-dressing. The second phase of the law, which will be implemented a year from now, will cover crimes punishable by flogging and amputation, such as theft. And one year after that, the third phase will kick in, which will include all offences punishable by death - including consensual gay sex. Before the new law, the death penalty wasn't on the books, and while homosexual relationships were illegal, they were punishable by jail time.

Though certainly not the first nation to impose a legal system based on sharia law, Brunei's is the most draconian in the region. While Malaysia and Indonesia also observe Islamic law to some extent, neither country imposes it upon all citizens. Rather, sharia law is usually enforced by religious courts at a local level and, for the most part, penalties are not so severe. Brunei ups the ante by subjecting all of its 400,000 citizens, regardless of faith, to a religious code with the most severe penalties in the region.

That alone probably wouldn't be enough to land Brunei in Hollywood's crosshairs. But it just so happens that this tiny country, about the size of Rhode Island and nestled in a corner of Borneo, happens to own some of Hollywood's favourite breakfast spots. The country boasts a significant portfolio of foreign businesses like the Dorchester Collection, a luxury hotel chain that owns several famed Los Angeles landmarks.

That connection is, evidently, why a handful of Hollywood celebrities and aristocrats are suddenly feeling very invested in Brunei's state policies. Some of those very important people staged a small demonstration in front of the Beverly Hills Hotel last week, protesting Brunei's sharia law with signs that read "The Beverly Hills Hotel = DEATH", and calling for a boycott of all Dorchester hotels. Stephen Fry and Ellen DeGeneres are both on board. Last week, DeGeneres slammed the law on Twitter and pledged to stay away from Brunei's hotels.

Human rights groups are not happy, either. Amnesty International and the United Nations quickly condemned the law, noting that Brunei's human rights record will come under review by the United Nations Human Rights Council on Friday, a day after the law went into effect.

Back in Brunei, the Sultan noted during his announcement last week that he doesn't expect foreigners to understand or agree with the law, as long as they respect Brunei's cultural differences. "[The law] was not made on a mere whim," he said, "but rather based on the policy of adhering to the command of Allah."

But what happens if angry celebs actually manage to hurt Dorchester's bottom line? Probably not much. The sultan is one of the richest people in the world, with a net worth of $20 billion (Bt647 billion). If it comes down to it, he can just sell part of his $4-billion car collection (who needs 7,000 cars, anyway?) or rent out some of the 1,800 rooms in his Brunei palace.


-- The Nation 2014-05-06

[charmonman]

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Why are so called advanced humans regressing back to the stone age???..... Brunei just made itself off limits to tourism.

Brunei does not need tourists. as simple as that.

Maybe not, but that doesn't answer the question.

Yermanee alt=wai.gif width=20 height=20>

the question might be relevant if asked by a Brunei citizen. a foreigner has no right to question the laws of a sovereign country. allowed is of course that he bitches about it if that reduces his general frustration or relieving his boredom for a couple of minutes alt=tongue.png>

A foreigner has the right to question or express his opinion on whatever the flying F&^k he wants to! Particularly when it is a matter of basic human rights! Please explain your utterly ludicrous comment!

[charmonman]

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Is Brunei apart of Asean in the future?

Brunei is part of ASEAN in the present.

The non-Muslim countries of ASEAN (Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, etcetera) should band together and demand that Brunei be expelled. Not likely, I know, but it would certainly be appropriate and justified.

[klauskunkel]

Back in Brunei, the Sultan noted during his announcement last week that he doesn't expect foreigners to understand or agree with the law, as long as they respect Brunei's cultural differences. "[The law] was not made on a mere whim," he said, "but rather based on the policy of adhering to the command of Allah."

Well, news for you, you incredibly rich, powerful and now utterly holy guy: This law has nothing whatsoever to do with Allah's command. It is the human interpretation of Allah's command by some mullah from the stone age. Go, ask Allah yourself, he wants nothing to do with your BS. And, by the way, Allah's last name is not "Akbar", it's "Leavemethef***kalone"!

[kamahele]

People certainly have the right to voice their opinions whether opposed or not, except in countries such as Brunei of course where perhaps you will be stoned to death for doing so.

[JSPS]

In most cases I consider the implementation of Sharia Law as barbarous, but if it riles Hollywood "progressives" then it has some good uses.

[Benmart]

Off my radar to visit.

[myluckythai]

And the 'former" Dutch Queen paid respect to these suckers just last year. For business. what the hell..? Ban countries like these from every sort of dealings with civilized countries if it was up to me

[Maroon Watcher]

Unfortunately this is an early warning of what could be common place IF

the power hungry of any country are allowed to use Relgion as a platform for bullying, decimation, desecration -

and for gaining Riches (for themselves)

The "Free" world will not allow this trechery on humanity -

this is only the begining...

NO Trade

NO Tourism

NO intervention

NO Tech

No Culture

NO Salvation?

[mrdome]

Just to put things in perspective, this is the same family now feeling all holy, devout and righteous:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/so-whos-telling-lies-the-swinging-sultan-or-the-white-slave-beauty-1260898.html

http://nypost.com/2000/06/05/sex-slaves-left-sulkin-in-brunei-playmate-princes-only-torture-was-boredom/

Brunei didn't interest me anyway. He can do what he wants, of course, it's his country that he runs like all the other things he owns. [As an aside: One more reason the West should finally ween itself away from oil - hasn't it brought us enough problems already?]

I do agree with the boycott of the Dorchester Collection establishments. We can also do what we want and not hand over money to such an owner introducing barbaric rules that have no regard for humanity. Hopefully, he will sell some of them, so they are back under Western ownership.

[marko kok prong]

Just hope Malaysia does not follow,but as they are far more reliant on tourism, i could not see it happening.

[Frank James]

Just hope Malaysia does not follow,but as they are far more reliant on tourism, i could not see it happening.

Malaysia is such an interesting country. Go to KL, Penang, Malacca, travel on better highways than we have in America, you think, this is a really up-to-date place. Check out the airport: luxo/high end on one side, low cost (KLCC) a short free train ride across the way. Then hop over to Terranganu, and, while still beautiful, take a look at what happens when right wing Muslims run a place.

I don't care what religion you are, what country you live in, letting religion mingle with politics (official state religion) you have a big problem. Worship (or not) anything you want, but 100% secular state is the way to go.

[Mister Fixit]

One place to cross off the holiday list ...

[a99az]

One small backward step for man, one giant backward step for mankind.

[a99az]

Just hope Malaysia does not follow,but as they are far more reliant on tourism, i could not see it happening.

Too late, sadly some parts have Sharia Law now.

[Jonmarleesco]

Must cross Brunei off my holiday destination list.

[hawker9000]

Just hope Malaysia does not follow,but as they are far more reliant on tourism, i could not see it happening.

Malaysia is such an interesting country. Go to KL, Penang, Malacca, travel on better highways than we have in America, you think, this is a really up-to-date place. Check out the airport: luxo/high end on one side, low cost (KLCC) a short free train ride across the way. Then hop over to Terranganu, and, while still beautiful, take a look at what happens when right wing Muslims run a place.

I don't care what religion you are, what country you live in, letting religion mingle with politics (official state religion) you have a big problem. Worship (or not) anything you want, but 100% secular state is the way to go.

Muslims watch American christians denied the right to so much as celebrate "Christmas" with public displays and use of the term, forced to contribute to the practice of abortion which they abhor, denied the right to pray in public, including the schools, and are prodded to activism on behalf of their own faith by it. And when they do so in America, both the political and judicial spheres tend to look the other way in the name of PC.

To remove the role of religion in actual government is worthwhile. To try and suppress it culturally on the PRETENSE of "seperation of church & state", on the other hand, as progressives have been doing, falls prey to the law of unintended consequences.. Hollywood and the rest of the left can squeal all they want about other countries getting protective of their own respective religious values: they helped make this bed, they 're going to have to lie in it, at least when it comes to these other countries.

Do you think Brunei (or Iran, or N. Korea, or <???>) gives a d**n that gays, and gay sympathizers, don't come in protest to this new implementation? Get real. Ok, now tell us again what a hateful, racist, UNfree place America is!

[notmyself]

Muslims watch American christians denied the right to so much as celebrate "Christmas" with public displays and use of the term, forced to contribute to the practice of abortion which they abhor, denied the right to pray in public, including the schools, and are prodded to activism on behalf of their own faith by it. And when they do so in America, both the political and judicial spheres tend to look the other way in the name of PC.

As an individual you are free to pray in public if you wish and as an individual you are free to pray in school if you wish. You are also free to drape your house with dowdy baubles and fake snow if you wish not on at Christmas but at any time of year.

[soalbundy]

Puts a whole new meaning on the phrase, "Lets go and get stoned"

[Ulic]

Just wondering how this Sharia law squares with the harem (30, a different girl for each night of the month, apparently)

of non Muslim women he used to or perhaps still keeps.

[hawker9000]

... and as a soveregn nation Brunei is free to make these rules. Whine & moan whoever will. All it's going to get you is a sore throat & a wet hanky.