Prince Abdul Qawi

Abdul Qawi ibni Mohamed Bolkiah (born 27 January 1974) is a businessman and member of the Brunei royal family. He is the nephew of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and the brother-in-law of Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan, Malaysia.

Early life and education Pengiran Muda Abdul Qawi was born on 27 August 1974 at 2 p.m. in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. He is the eldest son of Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah. He received his early education at St. Andrew's School before continuing his secondary education at Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College, where he passed the GCE Ordinary Level. Following this, he pursued his GCE A Levels at St Andrew's College in the United Kingdom and later continued his studies at Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, where he earned a Bachelor of Politics with business management degree. Additionally, he attended the Singapore Armed Forces' Commando School.

Business career After graduating in 1998, Abdul Qawi began his career as a research officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. However, in 2000, he resigned from his role to pursue a career in business. Over the years, he has held several significant leadership positions. He was the chairman of The Brunei Hotel, and served as deputy and executive chairman of QAF Brunei. He was also a member of the Baiduri Group and a director at Baiduri Bank from 2000 to 2010.

From 2002 to 2012, he was a member of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, and since 2005, he has actively participated in the INSEAD East Asia Business Council and patron to the Brunei–Britain Business Forum. thumb Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah and Abdul Qawi touring the RSS Persistence (209) on 10 March 2005 Further cementing his diplomatic involvement, Abdul Qawi joined Al-Muhtadee Billah during an official visit to Singapore in March 2005. The visit, which also included Princess Sarah, offered him the opportunity to learn about Singapore's defence strategies, international terrorism, and regional security, as well as the country's developments in broadcasting through a visit to MediaCorp Caldecott Broadcast Centre.

In August 2010, Abdul Qawi accompanied the Al-Muhtadee Billah to Kuwait, where he participated in high-level meetings with officials, including the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, the Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and the deputy chairman of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. This visit also saw him attend official events, such as a luncheon with the Acting Prime Minister and a supper hosted by the President of the National Security Bureau at the Kuwait Towers, further strengthening bilateral relations.

Abdul Qawi's role as an international ambassador continued in September 2011, when he joined Al-Muhtadee Billah at George Washington University. Their discussions focused on potential collaborations in foreign affairs, science, sustainability, faculty research, and student exchanges, advancing Brunei’s educational and research partnerships.

In July 2013, his father, Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, discussed Abdul Qawi's involvement in foreign relations with Japan's Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. The talks highlighted Japan’s support for Brunei's ASEAN chairmanship and extended congratulations on his wedding, reaffirming Japan's diplomatic support for Brunei.

Abdul Qawi's business acumen was evident in May 2016 when he led an international business delegation seeking investment opportunities in Vietnam's Thanh Hóa province. He was welcomed by State President Tran Dai Quang. His efforts attracted investments from Canada, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Spain, focusing on energy, infrastructure, and industrial development.

In November 2022, he met with Zainal Fatah, the secretary general of Indonesia's public works ministry, to discuss Brunei’s involvement in the construction of Nusantara, Indonesia’s new capital. Their discussions centred on potential collaboration in government-business partnerships for infrastructure projects, such as water supply systems and toll roads, showcasing Qawi’s continuous engagement in international business ventures.

Personal life Personal interests On 9 May 2006, Abdul Qawi visited the Singapore Badminton Association (SBA), where he participated in a friendly badminton match. He partnered with Lim Swee Say, president of the SBA and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office. Subsequently, he joined forces with Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah in a competitive match against Singaporean national players Erwin and Kendrick Lee.

On 24 January 2007, QAF FC's captain, Abdul Qawi, guided his squad with a positive attitude throughout the 2007–08 Brunei Premier League final. Christopher Ambun and Viban Francis Bayong both headed goals from corner kicks to give QAF FC an early lead under his direction. Despite QAF FC's ultimate 3-2 loss against MS ABDB in extra time, he was able to keep the team's morale up throughout the game.

The equestrian polo competition at the 2017 SEA Games, Kuala Lumpur began on 22 August at the Putrajaya Equestrian Park. According to the list of competing teams, four of the seven players mentioned in the Brunei polo squad—Prince Abdul Mateen, Princess Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah, Pengiran Muda Bahar, and Abdul Qawi.

Marriage On 24 June 2013, the parents of Pengiran Muda Abdul Qawi attended the wedding ceremony in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, marking the union of their son with Tengku Amalin A'ishah Putri, daughter of Sultan Ismail Petra. The Majlis Akad Nikah ceremony took place on 27 June 2013 at Istana Mahkota, where formal messages were exchanged between representatives of the royal families during the engagement ceremony took place at . The exchange of gifts on bronze trays and adherence to traditional customs underscored the ceremonial legacy shared by both royal families. Another significant event, the Majlis Kesyukuran and Doa Selamat on 8 July 2013, commenced with the lighting of the Dian Empat candles and the recitation of prayers, symbolising blessings for the union. Distinguished guests, including members of the royal family, Pengiran Cheterias, and high-ranking officials, gathered to celebrate the historic union of the two royal families.

Issue From their marriage, the royal couple has four children. On 13 April 2014, the royal couple welcomed their first child, a princess named Pengiran Anak Tengku Afeefah Musyafaah Bolkiah Putri. Their second child, a daughter, Pengiran Anak Tengku Azzahra Iffatul Bolkiah Putri, was born on 24 June 2016. A fourth child and first son, Pengiran Anak Tengku Abdul Muhaimin Bolkiah Petra was born on 26 June 2022. Name Born Place Birth Age Pengiran Anak Tengku Afeefah Musyafaah Bolkiah Putri Singapore Pengiran Anak Tengku Azzahra Iffatul Bolkiah Putri Singapore Pengiran Anak Tengku Zaafirah Muizzah Bolkiah Putri Kelantan, Malaysia Pengiran Anak Tengku Abdul Muhaimin Bolkiah Petra Brunei

Titles, styles and honours Titles and styles Abdul Qawi was honoured with the title of during the investiture ceremony held in conjunction with Sultan Muhammad V's 53rd birthday celebration in Kota Bharu in 2022. This prestigious award, presented by the Sultan, was part of a broader ceremony recognising the contributions of several dignitaries. In addition to this, Abdul Qawi was also awarded the (SPMK) which carries the title of .

Honours Honours awarded to him are as follows:

National

Foreign

Ancestry