Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Divorces His Second Wife

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei has divorced his 46-year-old second wife HRH Pengiran Isteri Hajah Mariam binte Haji Abdul Aziz.

HRH Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, the younger brother of Brunei ruler His Majesty Sultan Hj Hassanal Bolkiah announced over Radio Television Brunei the the sultan has pronounced Talaq Satu on his second wife now to be known as Dayang Hajah Mariam binte Haji Abdul Aziz with all her royal titles removed.

The announcement last night came as a shock to Bruneians although rumours have been rife over the past several months of an impending royal marriage rift between the 56-year-old Brunei ruler and his second wife.

The official announcement said, "By the Command of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mui'izzadin Waddaullah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Council of Adat Istiadat of Brunei Darussalam announced that His Majesty with the guidance of Syara' Laws pertaining to marriage and divorce that is in relations to wed with good intention - Ma'aruf - and to divorce with good intention - Ihsan - as stated in part of verse 229 of the Surah Al-Baqarah of the Holy Quran.

On this Sunday, the 30th of Zulkaedah 1423 corresponding to the 2nd of February 2003, His Majesty announced the first stage divorce - Talaq Satu - upon His Majesty's second wife, Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri Hajah Mariam binte Haji Abdul Aziz.

In this regard, by the command of His Majesty the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, with effect from the date, titles conferred by His Majesty to His Majesty's former wife are now withdrawn."

His Majesty the Sultan married her on October 28, 1981 and they were bestowed with two princes and two princesses, viz His Royal Highnesses Prince Haji Abdul Azim and Prince Abdul Mateen, and Her Royal Highnesses Princess Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah and Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolqiah.

Princess Mariam was twenty-six when she became a royal bride and had been educated in Bandar Seri Begawan before being recruited by the newly formed Royal Brunei Airlines where she worked for six years as an airline stewardess.

After the wedding, Princess Mariam moved into Muara Lodge until the Istana Nurul Izzah was completed on the coast of South China Sea near Jerudong Park.

It had become a royal custom that His Majesty's first wife Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha and Princess Mariam accompany the Sultan at official functions and at some overseas trips.

She had been patron to two Brunei charities for the Disabled and Handicapped Children Association (KACA) and the Paraplegic and Physically Handicapped Association (PAPDA) and both she and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha are patrons of Basmida, the anti-drugs association.

Under Islamic Laws there are three types of divorce a man can pronounce when divorcing his wife. 

If he pronounces Talaq Satu as what was pronounced to Hajah Mariam then the man has the right to withdraw his Talaq or divorce and this is called "Rujuk".  

However this must be done within three months and ten days from pronouncing Takaq Satu. 

In this event there would be no need for another "Nikh" (pronouncement of marriage ceremony). 

If the man pronounces Takaq Dua then there is no "Rujuk" period. He has to go through the "Nikah" ceremony. 

The most serious type of all the divorces is Talaq Tiga where the man can only marry the same woman provided she remarries someone else and had been divorced by that husband.

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