Lankan scholar here to write on local Malays
View(s):The Lankan scholar has written several books on Sri Lanka’s Malay Community and the history of Brunei, which was acknowledged by Brunei’s Defence Minister and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Renowned Sri Lankan scholar Prof. B.A. Hussainmiya is in the country to collect material for two books on the local Malay Community. The Lankan scholar has written several books on Sri Lanka’s Malay Community and the history of Brunei, which was acknowledged by Brunei’s Defence Minister and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Prof. Hussainmiya’s books on Brunei include the biography of Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien (r.1950-1967), who was known as the architect of the modern Brunei Darussalam.
Prof.B.A. Hussainmiya was presented with honorary medal by Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Brunei’s Defence Minister and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
This book was followed by several other books and research articles on Brunei history. For his work, he toured the world to countries such as United States, United Kingdom, Philippines and Malaysia to gather information as they were scattered. “I have much passion for writing and took great pleasure in writing Brunei’s history, for which, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah bestowed high State honours on me with a medal during its 60th anniversary,” the Prof. said.
Prof. Hussainmiya was Chairman of the 2nd Malay World international symposium held in Colombo in August 1985. He is also the first to discover the world’s first Malay newspaper, Alamat Langkaturi and other Malay literary manuscripts which identifies Sri Lanka as a part of the Malay world. “My wish is to fulfill my role as a member of the Muslim community and to write books on its establishments, as there is a rich history but not well documented,” he said.
- Aanya Wipulasena
Follow @timesonlinelk
comments powered by Disqus