Students Embark on an Enlightening Educational Journey in Malacca

By Nor Fatin Najwa, Muhammad Airiel Nashriq, and Izzah Syahirah

Purpose, Participants, Departure Time and Transportation

On May 24, 2023, 36 students of Islam and the Malay World class, together with our respective lecturer, Prof. Dr. Hafiz Zakariya, took a trip to Malacca. The class not only consisted of the students of the History and Civilization programme but talso from other programmes. The purpose of this tour is to gather data for our next Malacca Exhibition on June 1, 2023 (Thursday). We were visiting Institut Tun Perak and Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam, both of which hold a wealth of information and artifacts pertaining to the history of Malacca. At 7.30am, we gathered at the main staircase of the Muhammad Abdul Rauf (MAR) building and boarded the bus to Malacca. 

We split into two groups. The first group went Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam, and the second group went to Institut Tun Perak. At 9.40am, we arrived at Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam. We were welcomed by Datuk Dr. Jamil Bin Mukmin, who is the Chairman of the Institute for the Study of the History of Malaysian Patriotism (IKSEP) and Vice Chairman of the Malay World Islamic World (DMDI). During an interview session with Datuk Dr. Jamil he briefly explained about DMDI and how it existed.

Since its formation in 2000, it has connected diverse groups through joint projects and programmes. There was general information that we got from our interviews with Datuk Dr. Jamil in the library of Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam. He politely shared beneficial information that our group needed from this trip to DMDI.  At the end of our conversation with Datuk Dr. Jamil, we were given a book entitled “Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam”. 

We were also given two hours to conduct research on the library, which is related to DMDI. Literally, our groups found beneficial books as our secondary resources after the interviews. We also exchanged and shared the information that we got from each other. The environment in the library of Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam was calm, even though the space was quite smaller than we thought after we arrived in Malacca. However, we successfully finished our research in Dunia Melayu Dunia Islams library, and we gained valuable information.

At 10.00am, the second group, led by Prof. Dr. Hafiz Zakariya, arrived at Institut Tun Perak (ITP). Prof. Madya Dr Ainuddin Iskandar Lee, the institution’s Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Mohamad Nazri Bin Haris, its Project Manager, welcomed us. After we arrived, they offered us nasi lemak, a traditional breakfast dish made of rice cooked in coconut milk from the Malay culture. Additionally, we were talking about the institution and our purpose for visiting there.

After we got the information needed for the exhibition, we arrived at Sultan Salai at 12.00pm. to have lunch together. We were served with various side dishes that were delicious. After lunch, we continued to the Chinese mosque to perform the Jama prayer. Upon our arrival in Melaka, it was only natural for us to take the opportunity to visit the citys historical landmarks and buildings including notable sites like A Famosa, the Museum and various other significant locations. At 3.00pm, we arrived at Menara Taming Sari, and we were given one hour to walk around the place. After that, we enjoyed the famous coconut shake in Klebang around 5.00pm. Lastly, we continued our journey back to the University and arrived at 8.30pm.

Background on Dunia Melayu Resource Centre

The Islamic World Malay World (DMDI) was established in 2000 as a result of the resolution of the first Muslim World Malay World Convention and led by YBhg Tan Sri Dr HJ Mohd Ali Bin Hj Mohd. Rustam as President of DMDI. It is a Melaka State Government Company (from 2000 to 2017) that acts to promote unity and solidarity among the Malay-Muslims while promoting cooperation in all aspects of development between the Muslim-Malays and other nations in the world. The members of this group are from Malay Muslim communities from countries in Southeast Asia, People from countries with large Malay populations such as South Africa, Sri Lanka, Australia and Madagascar, People from countries with large Muslim populations such as China, India, Japan, Russia, North America and Europe, People from Islamic countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iraq and People from countries that have had trade relations with Malacca since the 15th century such as Britain, Portugal, Holland, Spain. In addition, Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam (Malay World, Islam World) may be considered one of the State of Melakas flagship nongovernmental organisations (NGOs). It has worked hard to forge fraternal ties among the regions Melayu speaking communities and build religious relations between itself and the larger Muslim world. 

The Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam Resource Center is an initiative by the Institute of the Malay World and Civilization (ATMA), which is located at the National University of Malaysia. The Resource Centre aims to be a hub of information, research, and promotion of Malay and Islamic culture and heritage in Malaysia and beyond. The centre offers a vast collection of books, journals, and other publications related to Malay and Islamic studies, as well as a range of multimedia resources, including photographs, videos, and audio recordings. The centre also organises seminars, conferences, and exhibitions that showcase various aspects of Malay and Islamic culture and history. Its goal is to encourage greater appreciation and understanding of the rich and diverse heritage of the Malay and Islamic worlds.

Background of Institute Tun Perak

Institute Tun Perak, formerly known as Institut Kajian Sejarah dan Patriotisme Malaysia (IKSEP) (Institute for Historical Studies and Patriotism of Malaysia), was established on May 11, 1994, and was incorporated under the Company’s Act limited by guarantee and has no share capital. It was formerly known as Institut Kajian Sejarah dan Patriotisme Malaysia (IKSEP).

Institute Tun Perak is a company that does not make a profit. The previous Institute Tun Perak (IKSEP) played a role in bringing people, especially young people, to a profound understanding of the history of the nations heritage and also improving the spirit of patriotism. The establishment of IKSEP at that time was in line with the resolution of the Konvensyen Melaka Dalam Warisan Dunia (Malaccan Convention on World Heritage) held in April 1993 in Malacca.  The official launch was carried out by the Chief Minister of Melaka on the occasion of Konvensyen Kebangsaan Sejarah Malaysia (National Convention on Malaysian History) on 16 August 1994 in Dewan Hang Jebat, Expo Center, Air Keroh, Melaka. On 28 June 2018, the YAB Chief Minister of Melaka at the time in his media session announced the name of Institut Kajian Sejarah Patriotisme Malaysia (IKSEP) changed to the Institute Tun Perak. (ITP).

This institute is a well-known organization committed to offering top-notch instruction and talent development. It has established itself as a hub of knowledge in the area thanks to its lengthy history and dedication to quality. The institute also provides a small library with numerous books on subjects other than history, such as religion and other subjects. The Malay sultanate of Malacca was recently re-examined, and a new date for the founding of the Malay kingdom of Melaka, which is 1262, was confirmed. This institute is also well-known for its book sales, modern facilities, and knowledgeable faculty that can create the perfect learning environment for students to succeed. 

Past Proceedings:

Institut Tun Perak 

Among the archives or proceedings available at this Institute are titles related to Malacca and its history. For example, one of the interesting titles currently available there is, “Penelitian Semula Kesultanan Melayu Melaka”, (translated as a “Re-research of the Malay Sultanate of Malacca”). Besides that, the New Discovery of The Establishment of The Malay Empire of Malacca in 1262 was also produced by this Institute. In addition to that, the history of Islamic Kingdoms can also be found in the library of Institute Tun Perak.

Trip to Masjid China

Masjid Cina in Krubong became the preferred mosque, recommended by Dr. Hafiz for the students to perform Zohor and Asr prayers in Jamaq and Qasar. Even on the bus, we could see the striking red colour of the gateway of Masjid Cina with its distinctive Chinese architectural design. Upon getting off the bus, we were welcomed by the Chinese calligraphy and pagoda that could always be seen on drama, variety shows or video logs. Red colour dominates the scheme colour of the mosque, but after observing the design, we discovered that all mirrors were green colour.  

The mosque receives many visitors from amongst local and foreign Muslims all over the area, reflecting its reputation as one of the famous tourist places in Malacca. Concerning the influence of Chinese design, specifically from Beijing, Shanghai and Xian, we could spot the Chinese elements in the decorations around the mosque, such as koi ponds and bamboo trees. We could see that the mosque was taken care of and managed well, as some areas were under the guards’ supervision. 

It is crucial to note that before entering the mosque, a signboard was at the corner of the building to remind visitors to cover their aurah. The mosque even provided cloaks and scarves mainly for non-Muslims to ease them from entering. Aside from this, other amenities like a small library and a recreational area were also being supplied, leading to the students’ desire to stay for a longer time. 

Inside the mosque, there was a vast space for the visitors to perform their praying comfortably, as it could accommodate 2000 people at a time, corresponding with an extensive parking lot outside. Even though it was scorching hot, we were still excited to take many pictures of the building and ourselves with the mosque in the background.

Our educational trip to Malacca was a truly enriching experience that deepened our understanding of the historical and cultural significance of the region. The visit to Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam provided us with insights to the history and heritage of the Malay world and the spread of Islam in the region. We learned about the significant role of Malacca as a Centre of Islamic learning and its contributions to Islamic civilization. 

We are grateful for the abundance of valuable and comprehensive information that we were able to gather from our visit to Institute Tun Perak. The vast historical data and insights we obtained during our time there provided a lot of input to our Malacca exhibition. This trip is surely vital for students to acquire new knowledge and understanding of the history, culture and heritage of Malacca. This educational trip also has provided a more comprehensive and engaging learning experience for students. ***