Leading the way: Brunei's legacy of national poets

MALAY Literature Professor at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Prof Dato' Dr Hashim Awang , 71, says that Brunei Darussalam has been the leading Malay-speaking nation in promoting Islamic literature since the 1960s.

"Brunei took the lead by developing a profound interest in the development of religious literature, especially in the form of poetry," Prof Dato' Hashim said.

The pioneers of this great stride, he added, were taken by young Bruneians, some of whom studied at Kolej Islam Malaya in Malaysia.

"They were not only studying religion, but also developing their creativity by writing poems," he said, adding that all the poems by the select scribes highlighted their passion for Islamic nuance.

The passion of those then-young Bruneians continued long after they completed their degrees, and most still write poetry today, even though many are high-profile officials.

Among these great poets, said Prof Dato' Hashim, are State MuftiPehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr Ustaz Hj Abdul Aziz Juned, who writes under the pen name Adi Rumi; as well as Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman (pen name Badaruddin HO) and his wife Datin Hjh Maimoonah Hj Omar.

He also gave special mention to Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Awg Mohd Zain Hj Serudin (Syukri Zain), Chief Syarie Judge Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Yahya (Yahya MS) and Deputy Minister of Education, Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad Pg Hj Abdul Rahman (Zairis MS).

Their literary works represent Brunei's position at the forefront of Islamic literature among Malay communities, Prof Dato Hashim said.

In appreciation of the country's achievement in Islamic literature, a 135-page anthology of poems entitled Puisi Hidayat (Guidance Poems) has been published by the Islamic Da'wah Centre. In this latest edition, Prof Dr Hashim presents his preface and provides commentary after each poem.

The Brunei Times