Omar Ali Saifuddien III

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III was the 28th Sultan and the first Minister of Defence of Brunei Darussalam. He was Sultan during his reign from 4 June 1950 until 5 October 1967. He was also referred to as names The Architect of Modern Brunei, The Royal Poet and Father of Independence.
== Early life ==
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III was born on 23 September 1914 in Istana Kota, as the second son of Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam II and Raja Isteri Fatimah. His older brother was Ahmad Tajuddin, and their father reigned during that time of his birth.
== Later life ==
He was later titled "Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan" after his abdication from throne, at the age of 53.
During the nation's independence day at midnight, held at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien, Omar Ali Saifuddien III chants "Allahu Akbar" (God Is Great) three times, and was followed by the national anthem, the RBLF 21-gun salute and a prayer by the State Mufti.
== Death ==
The Sultan passed away on 7 September 1986, aged 71. The funeral prayer was held at the namesake mosque in Pusat Bandar. He was then buried along with his wife Pengiran Anak Damit, his father Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam II, his grandfather Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin and his brother Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin in Kubah Makam Di Raja (Royal Brunei Mausoleum).
Notable leaders attended his funeral, including Singapore's former PM Lee Hsien Loong (on behalf of Lee Kyan Yew) and Malaysia's former PM Mahathir Mohamad, along with his wife, Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali. Whilst others paid tribute to the late Sultan, such as Margaret Thatcher and Queen Elizabeth II.
== Trivia ==
* His reign started during the time of his brother's death in Singapore, 4 June 1950. There were no male heirs at that time.
* He was 'wazir' and had the title Pengiran Bendahara Seri Maharaja Permaisuara one year after the birth of his son, Hassanal Bolkiah.
* His cause of death was an unknown type of sickness
** The body of him was first placed at the Old Lapau
** The royal flag was placed over his coffin, followed by a horse pulling it during the capital's funeral procession.
** His son delivered a speech on 20 October 1986, which he stated "As a son of a dear father, I still feel the feelings of sadness and grief, and will always be felt, which is not limited to a period of time. Because his death is a great loss for me and my family. Moreover, he is not only a father who always pour a friendly affection to his children, he always gave me advice up to the end of his life."
* The Sultan had interests in poetry and design. His well-known craftsmanship are flower patterns on the "Kain Tenunan Brunei". He was also interested in martial arts silat and kuntao.
* He became the nation's first Minister of Defence after its independence.