IPOH: The Perak Islamic Religious Council (MAIPk) will help a Malaysian student in Egypt bring old indigenous Nusantara books (kitab turath) written by Malay scholars back to the country.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad (pic above) said discussions were currently ongoing on the process of bringing the books back.
"The student is sponsored by MAIPk.
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"As the state government, we will take responsibility to bring home the texts and we appreciate his effort," he said in a press conference after launching the state subsistence and emergency aid initiative for Perak-born undergraduates at his office on Wednesday (April 17).
"The books will be kept in a research library at MAIPk," he said, adding that the state was prepared to help with the cost of bringing back the books.
Muhammad Nur Hadi Sallehuddin, 24, who studies at Al-Azhar University, Egypt, has collected nearly 200 old indigenous Nusantara books written by Malay scholars from between the 1920s and 1960s during his studies at Al-Azhar University, Egypt.
Muhammad Nur Hadi, from Taiping, began collecting the books in early 2020, most of which were printed by Mustafa al-Halabi, one of the oldest printing and bookselling companies in Egypt.
Saarani said the state appreciated Muhammad Nur Hadi's efforts, who had spent his own money of about RM20,000 to collect the books.
"He is committed.
"We want to recognise his efforts, so it can also inspire others to do the same," he said.
