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This blogspot is a medium to share my thoughts and adventures apart from promoting my books. Below are the books which have been written or authored and published by myself.


"Berpetualang ke Aceh: Mencari Diri dan Erti".

ISBN 983-42031-0-1, Jun 2006


"Berpetualang ke Aceh: Membela Syiar yang Asal"

ISBN 983-42031-1-x, May 2007


"Berpetualang ke Aceh: Sirih Pulang ke Gagang?"

ISBN 978-983-42031-2-2, November 2007


It is interesting to note that while these books were written in Malay it has gained enough attention to merit being part of the collections of the American Library of Congress and National Library of Australia. Look here and here.


While the first three books were published by my own company, the fourth titled "Rumah Azan" was published in April 2009 by a company called Karnadya with the help of the Malaysian national literary body Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. It features beautiful pictures along with stories behind selected mosques which could be related to the history of Islam and the Malays alongside the formation of the Malaysian nation. Look at the article A collaboration of old collegemates - the book "Rumah Azan".


My fifth book "Ahlul Bait (Family) of Rasulullah SAW and Malay Sultanates", an English translation and adaptation of the Malay book "Ahlul Bait (Keluarga) Rasulullah SAW dan Kesultanan Melayu" authored by Hj Muzaffar Mohamad and Tun Suzana Othman was published early 2010. Look here... My 5th book is out! Ahlul Bait (Family) of Rasulullah SAW and the Malay Sultanates... . For more information check out my Malay blogspot CATATAN SI MERAH SILU.



Like my fourth book "Rumah Azan", the sixth book "Kereta Api Menuju Destinasi" is also a coffee-table book which is published by the company Karnadya with the cooperation of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (the main Malay literary body in Malaysia). Coming out January 2011 it features pictures and stories on the adventure travelling by train to all of Peninsular Malaysia along with the interesting places which could be reached this way.


My seventh book "Jejak keluarga Yakin : Satu sketsa sejarah" in turn is a coffee-table book which is written, editted, designed and has pictures taken by me. Coming out of the factory October 2011, this book which combines family history with history of places such as Singapura, Johor, Batu Pahat, Muar and in fact the history of the island of Java and England has been reviewed with me interviewed live in the program Selamat Pagi Malaysia at RTM1. Look at the article Siaran langsung ulasan buku "Jejak keluarga Yakin : Satu sketsa sejarah" dan temu ramah di Selamat Pagi Malaysia. Some selected contents have been featured in Sneak peek "Jejak keluarga Yakin : Satu sketsa sejarah".


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The "Berpetualang ke Aceh" series of novels could be obtained in e-book form. Enter http://www.e-sentral.com/, click general novel and go to page 4. You can also type the word "Aceh" at the search box. Or click straight Book 1, Book 2 and Book 3.


Monday, October 18, 2010

The Malay Islamic civilisation exhibition at Brunei's international convention centre

Continued from The flight to Brunei



The first thing we did after landing was to go to Brunei's international convention centre. Well, actually we did go to the place where we would put up first to drop our luggage but that doesn't count. I guess...




Anyway, the convention centre is situated somewhere between the airport and the place where we put up. Thus our host Hajah Sopiah felt it would be good if we made a visit.




There's an exhibition on Malay Islamic civilisation going on and she wanted us to have a look.





With some exhibits signifying the locals' loyalty to their ruler, the Sultan and the institution of monarchy, you could say it is also some sort of crash course on the Bruneian psyche.




For the Bruneians really love their rulers, a mindset that in South East Asia could only probably be matched by the Buddhist people of Thailand.



My wife with Hajah Sopiah.



The oath of loyalty made by titled officials to the Sultan.




The Brunei cabinet members...




Now on to the actual Malay Islamic civilisation exhibition. But where's the people? (We'll get on to that later)... :]




I'm not sure why the following pictures taken were mostly on money. Frankly I can't recall the total scope of exhibition. After all this trip was made over 2 months ago and there's so much activities done in my 8 days there. I'm just writing right off the hat... that is, I write whatever I can remember and what flows out upon seeing the pictures.


The idea here is to show that since at least half a millenium ago the Malay kingdoms already have a solid and stable monetary system which complies to Islamic economics ideals.




There's the thriving port of Melaka and Aceh to testify to the Malay's greatness in promoting the Islamic way...



Currencies using gold and silver were the way to go.


Tin mining was a major economic activity in some areas.



Oh. Kedah was a major entreport.




Here's a bit of history on the usage of Dinar gold coins in the Middle East, usage which was then emulated by the Malay kingdoms especially with the advent of Islam. Oh, in case you noticed the absence of crowd in the pictures, well, I was told the exhibition has been going for about a week and we came on the last day. So the number of visitors have dropped down. Furthermore we came as the hall was about to be closed. Still it was a good start before we stopped to rest for the day...


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