Prince Haji Almuhtadee Billah

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Brunei royalty, Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince of Brunei, is in line to become the 30th Sultan of the oil-rich Islamic nation upon the abdication or death of his father. In monetary terms, the current Sultan is reportedly one of the two richest people in the world, either "the" richest, or second to Bill Gates. According to the country's patrilineal custom, the Crown Prince will succeed to the throne before his two elder Princess sisters. His father has two wives and the Crown Prince has three younger siblings and four half-siblings through these marriages. The Prince is the third child of His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha. His Royal Highness is in line to become the 30th Sultan of Brunei. Throughout his primary school years, he attended the Royal School attached to the Darul Hana Palace and then St. Andrew's Scholl, Bandar Seri Begawan. H.R.H. was taught recitation of the Quran, as well as learning Jawi and English. After finishing his Quranic recitation studies, he performed Hajj with immediate family, parents, brothers and sisters. On completion of his secondary education in Brunei, Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, in common with many future heads of state, completed his higher education overseas. In October 1995, His Royal Highness arrived at Oxford as a member of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies and of Magdalen College. Throughout his two years at Oxford, the true identity of His Royal Highness was not revealed. He was known simply as 'Mr. Omar Hassan' and was subjected to the same demands made upon all Oxford students. He participated in sports events - snooker and badminton - and in all the normal activities of Oxford's academic and social life. During his first year at Oxford, Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah undertook at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies a tailor-made programme of study of three principal subjects: Islamic Studies; the history and culture of Brunei Darussalam; and an introduction to the theory and practice of political science, economics and international relations. At the conclusion of his first year at Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah successfully matriculated for admission to Oxford University's Foreign Service Programme. He was one of 30 students, from Europa, Asia and the Americas, all of whom were graduates employed in their country's diplomatic services. The Programme consists of intensive study in lectures and seminars and the preparation of essays for weekly tutorials on a one-to-one basis. Each participant in the Programme is required to consider the circumstances and requirements of their countries in the international system. His Royal Highness was also required to present a public lecture on the history and contemporary affairs of Brunei Darussalam. Success in the Programme required passing four compulsory written examinations in International Law, International Politics, International Trade and Finance, and Diplomatic Practice. His Royal Highness took his final examinations in June 1997, passed each of the compulsory papers, and successfully graduated from the Foreign Service Programme. During his two years at Oxford, the Crown Prince completed a vigorous academic programme on his own merits and adapted to the social and cultural environment of student life at Oxford with ability and determination. On his return to Brunei, His Royal Highness was attached to the Ministry of Education for theoretical and practical training. This has provided him with the opportunity to understand and appreciate the continuing central importance of the proper education and training of the young men and women of Brunei to enable them to make their full contribution to the future prosperity and welfare of the nation. Throughout his school years, Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah was an enthusiastic participant in competitive sports - badminton, Sepak Takraw, volley ball, soccer, bowling, snooker and polo. Of these, Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah developed a particular interest in soccer, snooker and badminton. He played regularly as goalkeeper in his local soccer team in Brunei and enthusiastically followed international soccer. In badminton, Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah took part in the RBA-Helix competition and in the Royal Brunei-Helix World Grand Prix Circuit Tournament. Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah kept up his strong interest in snooker, while at school and later at Oxford, and took part in national and international competitions. During his stay in Oxford, he visited the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee at Lausanne. From March 1986, His Royal Highness entered the Brunei Science College and progressed through the formal examinations of the Brunei Junior Certificate (1988) and the 'O' level examinations of the General Certificate of Education (Cambridge) in 1991. Mathematics, English Language and Biology were the subjects which particularly engaged his interest. He subsequently entered the Sixth Form College which carried his name - Maktab Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah. He retained his interest in Mathematics and developed an interest in Accounting, passing both subjects in the 'A' level examinations of the General Certificate of Education (Cambridge) in 1994. He also studied General Subjects and Economics. During the summer of 1995, Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah attended a course of tutorials at the University of Brunei Darussalam given by members of Oxford University. Following this course, His Royal Highness began his overseas education at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. Throughout his two years at Oxford, in addition to his academic activities, His Royal Highness was prepared for his future responsibilities of State. A series of official visits was arranged under the supervision of Dr. Farhan Ahmad Nizami, Director of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, to introduce the Crown Prince to the work of national and international institutions in the United Kingdom, Europe and North America. His Royal Highness was received by the Secretary-General Mr. Butros Butros-Ghali and the Secretary-General elect of the United Nations Mr. Kofi Annan. In subsequent visits to the United Nations agencies, in New York and Geneva, the Crown Prince was introduced to the objectives and activities of an organization of which Brunei is an active member and supporter. He visited the Security Council and the General Assembly. His studies of International Trade and Finance at Oxford served the Crown Prince well during visits to Washington - to familiarize himself with the work of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund - and the Geneva head-quarters of the World Trade Organization. A principal purpose of the visits by Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah to Europe was to be introduced to the work of the European Commission and the other institutions of the European Union. His Royal Highness' appreciation of the significance of environmental and humanitarian issues was marked by his visits to the World Health Organization, the World Meteorological Organization and the UNHCR. The Crown Prince also made courtesy calls on His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and members of other Royal Families of Europe. The meeting between the Crown Prince and the Prince of Wales symbolized the continuation of the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the Royal Families and the peoples of the United Kingdom and Brunei Darussalam. The concept of constitutional monarchy in Europe and the concept of Malay Muslim Monarchy in Brunei share several similarities. In all these countries, the Monarchy symbolizes the values and traditions of the people and expresses the continuity between past achievements and future aspirations. During his years at Oxford, the Crown Prince was able to familiarize himself, through personal visits, with the role of the major British institutions of government, law and commerce. He made his first visit to the Prime Minister's Office in 10 Downing Street and met in the Houses of Parliament with the then Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. Tony Blair. Following a meeting with the Lord Chancellor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Mackay, His Royal Highness visited the principal institutions concerned with the administration of justice under English Law. Given the importance to Brunei of its membership in international foray such as the Commonwealth, Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), H.R.H. Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah took an active interest in familiarizing himself with the history, structure and operation of these bodies. He met with the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, H.E. Chief Emeka Anyaoku, His Majesty King Hussein of Jordan and senior members of government in various Arab and Muslim countries. An appreciation of Brunei's international economic links was gained by visits to the City of London, Wall Street, and to the headquarters of the Anglo-Dutch Shell Oil Company. The inauguration in August 1998 of His Royal Highness Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah as Crown Prince of Brunei concludes a long period of preparation for the future ruler of Brunei. As a young man in his twenty-fourth year, His Royal Highness, by his achievements to date, has demonstrated a sense of duty, commitment and seriousness of purpose which augur well for his future and that of his country. He has made every effort to achieve what believes is expected of him by his family, his people and his nation. Insha'Allah he will for many years be able to continue to serve that expectation with success and honor. Link to Wikipedia biography