Bandar Seri Begawan - A One-day Jawi seminar, themed "Jawi Writing as a Reflection of Malay Identity", was held yesterday at Balai Sarmayuda of the Language and Literature Bureau (DBP), Old Airport Complex in Berakas.
Present as the guest of honour was Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Awang Haji Ahmad bin Haji Abdul Rahman.
Also in attendance were DBP Acting Deputy Director Dayang Aminah bte.Haji Momin, invited guests, and over 80 participants.
The guest of honour, in his speech, called for patience, durability and attentiveness in research among experts, adding "We should be proud that Brunei has a small collection of the old manuscripts, even though most of them are incomplete or without a conclusion.
"We should strive to increase efforts in encouraging the public to submit their Jawi manuscripts for the purpose of preserving the culture," be said.
The guest of honour also called on participants to be involved in research on Jawi before foreigners do.
Among the objectives of the seminar were: to create awareness among the Malay community on the importance of Jawi and the preservation of its heritage and to expose them to the proof that Jawi alphabets are of higher standard than their counterparts.
Meanwhile, on hand to facilitate the seminar were Dayang Hjh Fatimah bte Haji Awang Aji on "Jawi Writing in the Cultural Collection", Dr Haji Ramlee bin Haji Tinkong on "Sifat Dua Puloh Dengan Syair Nasihat", and Awang Haji Asri bin Haji Putih, Awang Haji Nayan bin Muhammad and Awang Abdul Munap bin Haji Jumahat on "Kitab Hulubalang".
Source: www.brudirect.com (3 September 2007)