Azlan Othman

Travel enthusiast Najmun Nahar is impressed with life in the Sultanate, describing it as peaceful, rich in natural biodiversity and filled with friendly people.

The Bangladeshi-Swede, who has already travelled to 140 countries, told the Bulletin that she prayed for world peace and prosperity while at the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan. “I felt like crying inside the mosque,” she said.

“I am also a peace runner, and have received a Peace Torch Award in the United States (US). Mankind should not fight with each other. I also inspire children not to drop out of school, and I tell them they can do it if they have goals.”

“Brunei is the 140th country that I have visited. I like to see the country’s heritage, culture and beauty.”

Najmun will be in Brunei until February 2, before flying back to Sweden.

“My mother told me to go back to Sweden quickly, amid news of the spreading coronavirus,” she said. “I began wearing a face mask when I was in Japan, before heading to Taiwan, the Philippines and then Brunei Darussalam.”

In recalling her journey around the globe, Najmun revealed that she has had five unnerving experiences, including one in Guinea Conakry in West Africa, in 2018.

“The car that I was travelling in broke down in the middle of the road,” she said.

“My father once told me to never be afraid of the dark, since there will always be light. You have to be brave. I walked three hours to the nearest village and six kilometres to get water, with only an orange to sustain me.”