The Malay Islamic civilisation exhibition at Brunei's international convention centre

Continued from The flight to Brunei

The first thing we did after landing was to go to Brunei's international convention centre. Well, actually we did go to the place where we would put up first to drop our luggage but that doesn't count. I guess...

Anyway, the convention centre is situated somewhere between the airport and the place where we put up. Thus our host Hajah Sopiah felt it would be good if we made a visit.

There's an exhibition on Malay Islamic civilisation going on and she wanted us to have a look.

With some exhibits signifying the locals' loyalty to their ruler, the Sultan and the institution of monarchy, you could say it is also some sort of crash course on the Bruneian psyche.

For the Bruneians really love their rulers, a mindset that in South East Asia could only probably be matched by the Buddhist people of Thailand.

My wife with Hajah Sopiah.

The oath of loyalty made by titled officials to the Sultan.

The Brunei cabinet members...

Now on to the actual Malay Islamic civilisation exhibition. But where's the people? (We'll get on to that later)... :]

I'm not sure why the following pictures taken were mostly on money. Frankly I can't recall the total scope of exhibition. After all this trip was made over 2 months ago and there's so much activities done in my 8 days there. I'm just writing right off the hat... that is, I write whatever I can remember and what flows out upon seeing the pictures.

The idea here is to show that since at least half a millenium ago the Malay kingdoms already have a solid and stable monetary system which complies to Islamic economics ideals.

There's the thriving port of Melaka and Aceh to testify to the Malay's greatness in promoting the Islamic way...

Currencies using gold and silver were the way to go.

Tin mining was a major economic activity in some areas.

Oh. Kedah was a major entreport.

Here's a bit of history on the usage of Dinar gold coins in the Middle East, usage which was then emulated by the Malay kingdoms especially with the advent of Islam. Oh, in case you noticed the absence of crowd in the pictures, well, I was told the exhibition has been going for about a week and we came on the last day. So the number of visitors have dropped down. Furthermore we came as the hall was about to be closed. Still it was a good start before we stopped to rest for the day...