Book On Pioneer Modern Islamic Poetry Launched
By Azrol Azmi

Bandar Seri Begawan - A book entitled 'Shukri Zain - Pioneer of Modern Islamic Poetry in Brunei Darussalam' was one of the books that were launched during the official launching of the Brunei Book Fair 2006 organised by the Language and Literature Bureau, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in conjunction with the 22"a National day Celebration of Brunei Darussalam.

The launching ceremony held at the Indoor Stadium, Hassanal Bolkiah Complex in Berakas yesterday afternoon was officiated by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Awang Mohammad bin Haji Daud.

'Shukri Zain - Pioneer of Modern Islamic Poetry in Brunei Darussalam' is a book about Brunei Islamic literature that was written for the first time in Arabic language by Dr Arif Karkhi Abukhudairi, an Associate Professor of Literature at Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

Published in Egypt by the Maktabat al-Adap, the book was previously launched. at the international book fair in Cairo in January this, year. For those who are interested, the book is available at the Book Fair 2006 at the Dakwah Centre booth.

According to Dr Arif Karkhi Abukhudairi, "Brunei isn't just a country rich with oil and natural resources, but more importantly, it is also rich with its Islamic Malay heritage, ideal kings, and its gifted poets and writers. Not many countries have such great number of Islamic poets, from a renowned king like the late Sultan Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien, the 28' ruler of Brunei, Pengiran Shahbandar Haji Muhammad Salleh, to several ministers, deputy ministers and other prominent figures like Shukri Zain, Badaruddin H.O., Yahya M.S., Yura Halim, Wijaya, Zairis M.S. andAdi Rumi."

However, he stated that "unfortunately, such great writers' works are not exposed to the world."

These two very facts - the beauty and richness of Brunei literature on one hand and the lack of exposure to the outside world on the other - urged him to take the initiative to write the book 'Shukri Zain - Pioneer of Modern Islamic Poetry in Brunei Darussalam', mainly to introduce Brunei Islamic literature to the international community especially the Arab world.

Among the many works that Dr Arif Karkhi has done so far included translating Shukri Zain's 'Damai Dalam Sentuhan', Pengiran Mohammad's `Harga Waktu' and Yahya M.S. superb verses into Arabic, all were published in Egypt.

The book not only aimed at introducing Brunei Islamic poetry to the Arab world and those who speak the Arabic language, the publication is also meant to give Brunei literature the recognition it deserves and to highlight its significance and status in world literature. In this respect, a comparison of Brunei poems with poems _of famous poets like Verline, Tagore, Farazdaq, Usman Awang, and Muhammad Igbal are dealt with in the book.

In brief, this book tries to highlight the significant role that Shukri Zain plays as a leader of Islamic literature in Brunei Darussalam.

The book includes the Madkhal (Prelude) and two chapters, The Poet and Poetry.

In the prelude, the writer highlights the rise of Islamic literature in Brunei Darussalam, and'presents Brunei's greatest poet, Sultan Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien and his works such as Syair Perlembagaan Negeri Brunei, Syair Nasihat and Rambaian Laila Syair. An illustration on the value and the importance of his writings and their place in Malay and Brunei heritage is also discussed.'

The writer also refels to Pengiran Shahbandar Haj i Muhammad Salleh and his anthology of `Syair Rakis' as well as W ijaya andYura Halim followed by the three well known Bruneian poets, namely Adi Rumi, Badaruddin H.O. and Yahya M.S. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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