He began learning to read the Quran at the age of ten, under the guidance of carefully selected tutors, and successfully completed his studies, performing forty formal recitations.

[c][11] The teachings of Abdul Mokti Nasar, one of his most influential mentors, had a profound impact on Omar Ali, shaping his vision for modernising Brunei’s religious institutions and strengthening the role of Islam in governance.

[12] From an early age, Omar Ali was entrusted with elders who imparted knowledge and skills necessary to finish his upbringing, specifically about Islamic rules and the traditions and rituals that the royal family had followed in the past.

[4][1] After just one week of arriving in Brunei Town, he returned from Malaya in 1936 and was invited by Sir Roland Evelyn Turnbull, the British Resident, to Kuala Belait, where he would work as a cadet officer[6] in the Forestry Department, which was then led by Mr. Smith.

Under his supervision, he was encouraged to study, review, and analyse the Criminal Procedure Code, which he had started to learn at Kuala Belait, as well as the tale of him and the District Officer Ibrahim bin Andor trying a case together.

[19] Omar Ali Saifuddien embraced his new role and asserted his authority by directing his late brother's burial at the Royal Mausoleum upriver, contrary to Tengku Raihani's preference.

During a news conference held in Singapore early on 7 June 1950, Gerard MacBryan stated that the intended coronation of Omar Ali Saifuddin would not be possible without the elements of the Brunei royal regalia he had obtained.

Additionally, the government provides scholarships to a limited number of students to pursue further education overseas at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt; Islamic College in Klang; and Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah in Singapore.

The commission, which had seven appointed members and was called Jawatankuasa Menyiasat Perlembagaan (JKPP) or Tujuh Serangkai,[27] demonstrated his willingness to take into account the opinions of the people in spite of his absolute power.

[2][31] By mid-1955, Omar Ali Saifuddien's demands to secure roles for his Wazirs in the Legislative and Executive Councils complicated the drafting of Brunei's constitution and disrupted British plans for parliamentary re-organisation.

Colonial authorities supported the goals of the PRB, but they believed that the organisation's demands for equal pay, worker welfare, ministerial governance, and public elections were too extreme.

[36] Following the Merdeka Talks, Brunei's constitutional problems became the attention of British authorities, who summoned the Sultan to London in early 1959 to finalize the document with the Colonial Secretary.

[37] The outcome of the deal that satisfied the main requests of the Brunei Constitutional Committee in 1954, which included the appointment of a Menteri Besar and the adoption of staggered implementation measures beginning on 1 July.

One of the primary goals of this plan is to supply enough water, create bridges, telephones, buildings, and electric power plants for the convenience of Bruneians, and widen highways for communication.

Omar Ali Saifuddien and his son, Hassanal Bolkiah was saved from his palace by Digby Willoughby and a small group of Gurkha soldiers, earning the Sultan's unwavering gratitude.

The proposed five-year term for Omar Ali Saifuddien to serve as Malaysia's Yang Di-Pertuan Agong is another point of contention for the people of Brunei.

He gave the government orders to revitalise the people's livelihood through national progress and development programs, which were effectively carried out and improved the welfare of the populace as well as their quality of life.

[63] Following the declaration of abdication, Pengiran Haji Muhammad Yusuf bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahim, the Acting Menteri Besar, issued the following announcement on 5 October, in his capacity as head of Brunei's administration:[64] The President of the Council of Succession announced that on 4th October 1967 His Majesty Al-Sultan Sir Omar 'Ali Saifuddien has in accordance with Section 19 of the Succession and Regency Proclamation 1959, proclaimed his intention which cannot be withdrawn of abdicating from the throne of the Government.

[6] Even after his abdication in 1967, Omar Ali Saifuddien continued to be involved in matters pertaining to the lives of the people, counselling and mentoring his oldest son in the roles of both a politician and a father.

[69] At the stroke of midnight on 31 December 1983 in a public event held at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah officially proclaimed that Brunei Darussalam had achieved its independence and sovereignty after 97 years of British protection.

The initial announcement of a royal death reached Bruneians through the disruption of regularly scheduled television and radio shows including readings from the Quran.

[79] The casket was carried out of the palace, with President Wee, the Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang, Brig-Gen Lee, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, and his eldest son positioned behind it.

[58] Foreign dignitaries and statesmen that traveled to Brunei to pay their tributes, prayers, and final respects to the late Omar Ali Saifuddien were:[81][79] In addition to messages of condolences, several heads of state and governments have given their quotes.

Omar Ali Saifuddien holds a "unique position in the history of Brunei and in the hearts of all who knew him in Britain," according to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Presidents Suharto of Indonesia, Zia Ul Haq of Pakistan, and Corazon Aquino of the Philippines all expressed shock at his passing, describing it as an irreparable loss for Brunei.

In addition to his exceptional contributions to his people, President of Bangladesh, Hussain Muhammad Ershad expressed his deep appreciation for him for his vision, foresight, and wise leadership.

In a speech delivered on 20 October 1986, live on RTB from Istana Nurul Iman, on the occasion of the Council of Cabinet Ministers of Brunei's reorganisation, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah mourned the death of his father, saying he could never be replaced.

[89] Omar Ali Saifuddien wed Dayang Siti Amin binti Awang Hashim[d] upon his return from Kuala Belait to Brunei Town in 1937.

[14] After an earlier meeting with a representative of the Limbang pengirans and Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin in February 1941, MacBryan was able to effectively arrange settlements with both parties, resulting in Omar Ali Saifuddien receiving Straits $2,000 as a wedding present.

"[110] The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque stands as a permanent homage to his long legacy, and the people of Brunei continue to be moved by his magnanimous reign and visionary leadership.