| By Rosli Abidin
Yahya
Prof Madya Dr Hj Hashim handing out a souvenir copy of his
latest book, ‘Islam in Brunei Darussalam - a socio-cultural
analysis’ to Pg Hj Md Don bin Pg Hj Besar, the advisor of
GAPHAR
A book written by a local
academician is now available as a source of reference for
teachers, university students and other members of the public.
Entitled ‘Islam di Brunei
Darussalam - Satu Analisis Sosio-Budaya’ (‘Islam in Brunei
Darussalam - a Socio-Cultural Analysis’), the book is written
by Professor Madya Dr Hj Hashim Hj Abd Hamid, the Director of
Academy of Brunei Studies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD).
He said the book, published by
the Malay Literature Department of UBD, mainly focuses on Islam
as a way of life for Muslims.
“The book is based on my
research on three villages in Kampong Ayer - Kg Saba, Kg Burong
Pingai Ayer and Kg Sungai Kedayan”.
“The research was done for my
PhD thesis which I did in Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur in
1994,” he said.
His research shows how Muslims
in Brunei Darussalam used Islam as a way of life.
“The book is an important
reference for interested parties as it also contains the history
of Islam and how Islam affects people’s lives. Islam is also
adopted in the national concept of Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB),”
he said.
To date, he has written six
academic books - Junjung Tinggi (1993), Riak Sastera Darussalam
(1994), Cerucuk Budaya Brunei (1999), Lanang Beladu Lanang:
Pengantar dan Koleksi Pantun Brunei (2001), Bicara Sastera
Brunei (2002) and Islam di Brunei Darussalam - Satu Analisis
Sosio-Budaya (2003).
His books can be purchased at
his office in UBD at $17 for a hard cover edition and $14 for
the soft cover.
Being an associate professor
specialising in regional and local Malay culture, he has to date
delivered around 76 working papers at international, regional
and local conferences.
He is currently finishing
another academic book - an in-depth study of Syair Rakis
entitled ‘Menyuruki Syair Rakis’.
Early last July, Professor
Madya Dr Hj Hashim became the first local to be promoted as an
associate professor.
His contribution is not only
limited to universities and conferences.
He is also a literature and
culture activist, and is currently a member of SEA Write Award
judging committee, Brunei Literature Council (MASTERA), Fukuoka
ASEAN Japan Cultural Prizes and ASEA Awards on Culture and
Information.
He is also the editorial
advisor of Pangsura Journal, a Language and Literature Bureau (DBP)
publication.
Prof Madya Dr Hj Hashim is
currently involved in a project entitled “Critical Anthology
of Poetry and Fiction in Southeast Asia” for the University of
Western Australia.
In addition, he has been the
honorary secretary of Persatuan Sejarah Brunei since 1990 and
the leader or Ketua 1 of the Brunei Literary Writers Association
or ASTERAWANI since 1983.
Apart from being an author of
academic books, Prof Madya Dr Hj Hashim is also a poet and a
Malay literature critic.
Born in Kg Setia Pahlawan, in
the water village on the Brunei River, the contributions of Prof
Madya Dr Hj Hashim in academic, research, publication and
service to the community have also received recognition from His
Majesty, as he has been decorated with two medals, SMB and PIKB.
Associate Professor Dr Hj
Hashim did his first degree in the UK, and his masters and
doctorate at Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur.
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