Malay language strengthened after the arrival of Islam, with various institutions elevating the language through significant works on Malay culture and worldview.
Dr. Noriah @ Jariah binti Mohamed, Manuscript Researcher at Yayasan Karyawan Malaysia, further explained that the great Malay works were written in Malay, including dialects from the Peninsula and Nusantara regions such as Sumatra, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, Sumbawa, and Lombok. “They use Jawi script and cover fields of thought, philosophy, and worldview inherited through generations. These works are a great cultural heritage of the Malay nation,” she said during her presentation titled ‘Manuskrip Nusantara (Adi Karya)’ at the International Islamic Manuscript Conference 2025 held at the Dewan Auditorium Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (BKISHHB) yesterday.
She added that each great work has specific characteristics that distinguish it as truly great because every piece of writing inevitably reflects the cultural thoughts of the people born from its author. Accordingly, several characteristics are outlined, such as symbols and messages intended, cultural values and worldview, intellectual values, authorship techniques, and language artistry.
The guest of honour at the event was the Deputy Minister (Security and Law), Prime Minister’s Department, Yang Mulia Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Sufian bin Haji Sabtu. The program began with a recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and a prayer led by Mosque Affairs Officer, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Awang Abdul Muhaimin bin Dr. Haji Serbini. Participants were also given the opportunity to ask questions after the presentation during a Q&A session with Dr. Noriah @ Jariah.
Meanwhile, the International Islamic Manuscript Conference 2025, themed ‘Manuskrip Islam: Jambatan Antara Masa Lalu dan Masa Depan’, was held from 21 to 24 June 2025, organized by BKISHHB in collaboration with Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), and Kolej Universiti Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan (KUPU SB). It was also held in conjunction with the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition 2025 (Brunei MYCE 2025).
One of the objectives of the conference was to introduce and raise awareness about the importance of Islamic manuscripts as a bridge connecting the intellectual and cultural heritage of the past with the future of the Muslim community.
Dr. Noriah @ Jariah was born on 20 January 1944 in Sabak Bernam, Selangor. She began her career as a teacher before pursuing her Bachelor’s degree at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and obtained a Master’s degree in Malay Literature.
She then continued her studies to the Doctor of Philosophy level at Universiti Malaya and completed it in 1991. Throughout her career, she served as a Lecturer and Professor at UKM, including as a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Malay World and Civilisation (ATMA), and was a visiting lecturer at various international institutions such as Moscow University, Universitas Negeri Riau, and Ibn Sina Institute in Mauritius.
As a Great Works Researcher at Yayasan Karyawan Malaysia, Dr. Noriah @ Jariah is a prolific scholar in Traditional Malay Literature and Javanese Literature, with more than 30 scholarly publications including books, journal articles, and interactive CDs. She is also active in presenting papers and delivering public lectures nationally and internationally, frequently invited as an advisory panel member, columnist, and researcher of great works, as well as involved in various Nusantara cultural and heritage projects.
In recognition of her great contributions to academia and cultural heritage preservation, she has received various awards and honors including the Kridha Budaya Medal, Pushkin Medal from Moscow University, and several Prime Literary Awards.
