More Chinese To Learn Jawi
By Sobrina Rosli

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Chinese community in Brunei Darussalam has a unique opportunity to learn the Jawi writing as a workshop starts today.

The are 57 participants taking part in the three-day workshop divided into classes for beginner and advanced learners at the Islamic Da'wah Centre in Kampung Pulaie.

Jawi writing is Arabic alphabet adapted to be used for writing Malay language.

The script is also used in Indonesia, Malaysia, southern -Phillippines, Singapore and Pattani in southern Thailand especially for religious purposes.

In Brunei, however, Jawi script is one of the two official scripts being used here in addition to the Roman alphabet. The script is taught in Brunei throughout the primary school levels.

The participants, aged between 18 to 45 years of age, will be learning the script under the tutelage of Abdul Kadir Leong and Jumat Tuah. This week's workshop is the second after a similar workshop organised in 2004 which received a good response among Chung Hwa Secondary school teachers.

There are about 40,000 Tiong Hua or Chinese residents in the country. While the majority professes Buddhism or traditional beliefs, some have converted to Islam:

The workshop is conducted two hours daily until next Wednesday followed by a closing ceremony next Thursday.

All participants are either Chinese local citizens, Chinese permanent or temporary citizens. Organised by the Islamic Conversion and convert support Department at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the workshop aims to provide the Tiong Hua community and those who are interested, the opportunity to learn the Jawi script.

The ministry also aims to spread Islam to the Tiong Hua community through the teachings of the Islamic culture.

It is also hoped that the workshop will help develop the usage of Jawi writing in the non-Muslim community. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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