Book on history of Malay Muslim organisations to be published next year

A group of Malay and Muslim community leaders are to write a book on the contributions of 40 past and present Malay Muslim organisations.

It will trace their history and evolution from the 1900s in areas such as education, social welfare, culture, arts and sports.

One organisation to feature in the 250-page hardback will be the Singapore Baweanese Association which was set up in the early 1930s and helped to house the Baweanese community in communal houses known as pondoks.

The Baweanese migrated from Pulau Bawean in East Java to Singapore in the 1900s. Most found jobs here as drivers and horse-trainers.

The project committee - which comprises organisations such as Berita Harian and the Malay Youth Literary Association, or 4PM - said the book will cost $120,000 to publish. It will seek funding from the National Heritage Board and SG50 Celebration Fund.

The book will be launched in August next year as part of the nation's golden jubilee celebrations.

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