Mahmud Saedon Othman
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Mahmud Saedon Othman was a Muslim intellectual and academician, arguably the best that had ever been born and raised in Brunei Darussalam. His full title was Dato Paduka Seri Setia Professor Dr Haji Awang Mahmud Saedon which was awarded by the Brunei government and Malaysian government. Among his many achievements was to be the first known Malay to have succeeded in obtaining a Doctorate of Philosophy from the oldest university in the world, Al-Azhar in Cairo, Egypt.
Mahmud Saedon Othman was born on 20th December 1943 in Kampong Padang, Brunei Darussalam. His father was Awang Othman bin Pehin Orang Kaya Perdana Indera Mohammad Jair and his mother was Malai Marhani binti Sheikh Mahmud. He had two older brothers, a younger brother and a cousin adopted as a sister.
Based on a short biography contained in a book entitled "Allahyarham Dato Paduka Seri Setia Professor Dr Awang Haji Mahmud Saedon bin Awang Othman: Dalam Kenangan" (Pusat Da'wah Islamiah, Kementerian Hal Ehwal Ugama, Negara Brunei Darussalam; 1424H/2003M), the following is known about his educational background:
1951 - Started schooling at Sekolah Melayu Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam (SMJA) in Bandar Brunei.
1955 - Studied at Government English School in Brunei.
1955 to 1961 - Studied at Madrasah al-Juned in Singapore.
1962 to 1967 - Studied at Kolej Islam Malaya, obtaining the College's Lower Certificate and then its Higher Certificate (First Class).
1968 to 1970 - Studied and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Usuluddin (Tafsir Hadis) at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt.
1971 - Continued his study at Al-Azhar University and obtained a Master of Arts degree in Syariah wal-Qanun (Siasah as-Syar'iah).
1972 to 1976 - Studied and successfully obtained a Doctorate of Philosophy in Fiqh al-Muqaran.
Among the posts held by him were:
Lecturer, Faculty of Islam National University of Malaysia (1976-1983)
Lecturer (1984-1990) Professor (1991-1994) International Islamic University of Malaysia
Islamic Legal Specialist Ministry of Religious Affair, Brunei Darussalam (1994 until his death)
Professor Institute of Islamic Studies Brunei Darussalam (1994 until his death)
Vice Chancellor University Brunei Darussalam (1999-2002)
He died on 24th June 2002.
