UMP and Pahang Foundation to Study the History of Islam's Arrival in Pahang

KUANTAN, 21 June 2023 - Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) and Pahang Foundation will conduct a study on the Validity, Documentation, and Conservation of the Permatang Pasir Tombstone Heritage in Pekan, Pahang.

The approval letter for the study, issued by the Institute of Civilization and Strategic Studies (ITKAS), and a research grant of RM100,000, was presented by the Chief Executive Officer of Pahang Foundation, Dato' Indera Mahmud Mohd Nawawi, to the project consultant and researcher, ITKAS Director Associate Professor Dr. Hasan Ahmad, recently at Pahang Foundation.

Also present at the event were the Senior Director of Research at the Research Management Centre, Prof. ChM. Dr. Mohd Hasbi Ab Rahim, and the Dean of the Centre for Humanities Studies (PSK), Dr. Mohamad Hilmi Mat Said.

The Chief Operations Officer of Pahang Foundation, Abd Razak Abu Musa Saari, and the Manager of the Social and Industrial Development Unit, Ustaz Khairul Anuwar Abu Bakar, were also in present.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Hasan, this study aims to validate the documentation and conservation of historical heritage in Pahang, starting with the tombstones found in Permatang Pasir, Pekan, Pahang.

Sharing his research, he stated that the initial study found that the discovery of tombstones in Kampung Permatang Pasir, Pekan, in June 1953 indicated the arrival of Islam in Pahang.

"The discovery of these tombstones is recorded in The Malayan Historical Journal Vol. 2, where an article about the discovery was written by the first Chief Minister of Pahang, Datuk Sir Mahmud Mat.

"The tombstones bear verses from the Quran in Thuluth calligraphy, along with the date of death.

"Therefore, further research on these tombstones needs to be conducted as it is evidence of the arrival of Islam in Pahang," he said.

He further explained that the findings of this study will be documented for reference purposes.

"Further research on these tombstones is also to determine whether the arrival of Islam in Pahang predates the arrival of Islam in Terengganu," he added.

Meanwhile, according to Dato' Indera Mahmud, the effort undertaken by UMP is significant and aligns with the objectives of Pahang Foundation in ensuring the preservation and conservation of Pahang's heritage, particularly in the area of these tombstones, through the implementation of this study.

"The study also involves UMP lecturers from ITKAS and PSK, as well as several other external universities and agencies, including Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), the National Heritage Department (JWN), and the Pahang Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MUIP).

In addition, the Chairman of the UMP Board of Directors, Tan Sri Dato' Sri Dr. Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman, stated that this study is one of the initiatives under ITKAS, closely related to its function of conducting research activities and providing consultation services based on UMP's expertise to the Pahang State Government and relevant parties.

He expressed gratitude for the cooperation of all parties involved in conducting this study.

Apart from that, he also mentioned that the success in obtaining this grant is a proud achievement and aligns with the purpose of establishing ITKAS, which is to conduct research related to the history and civilization of Pahang.

He hoped that this would be the beginning of a collaboration between ITKAS, UMP, and Pahang Foundation, and would open up opportunities for further collaborations in the future.

By: Mimi Rabita Haji Abdul Wahit, Corporate Communications Division, Chancellery Department

Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, UMP Career Centre (UMPCC)