Ottoman Connections to the Malay World

by Saim Kayadibi (Editor)

"This book constitutes a study of Southeast Asia, discussing the Malay world's long historical connection with the Muslim people including the Rumi-Turks, Hadramis and the Ottomans. These connections reflect religious, political and legal cooperations. It also discusses the Ottomans? policy of pan-Islamism and the role of Sultan Abdulhamid II in improving ties with the Malay world and their scholars, rulers and heritage, in the fight against Western colonial powers. In seven essays, the contributors to this book discuss the early religious-intellectual network in the region as well as the evolution of the judicial and political systems."

Genres: History

267 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Aiman Haris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this book does its job well. I think I saw a review saying it's like "Wikipedia articles jumbled up in a book". I would like to ask them; have you never read an academic book? What did you expect? A novel sejarah like Abdul Latip Talib?

There some great references and back stories to the Malay World and the Ottomans, notably Johor. There was also some great new information to me about Aceh, Dayah Tanoh Abee etc.

There are some points worth scrutinising, such as the claim that Ibn Batuttah set foot in Kuala Krai, Kelantan! It's only briefly mentioned, without further elaboration. The real location of the land ruled by Queen Urduja is still up to debate, and disputed even with the Philippines.

It's a comprehensive read, but not outstanding.

[Aradweb Aradweb Adil · Rating 3 out of 5]

What you get when you have several research paper compile into a book?. A Paper version of WiKi.

[Jiwa Rasa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Himpunan artikel akademik. Menarik diketahui tentang tokoh-tokoh negara yang berdarah Turki. Dato Onn Jaafar, Prof Naquib Al Attas rupaya ad atali persaudaraan.

[Lalu Zam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a collection of various papers about Ottoman-Malay relationship in the past and its effect in today's Malay legal system. The term Malay in this book did not cover the people living in the Malay peninsula (modern Malaysia) only, but also the people of Aceh (Acehnese). This book focused on the link, and influence between old Malay kingdoms such as the Aceh kingdom, Johor kingdom etc with the Ottoman empire in shaping their society, identity and modern legal system.

It is an interesting book that tried to argue that islam came to the Malay region of Malaysia and Indonesia through Persians, Indian, Arabs and Ottoman traders that in time were, exerted its influence in the foundation and development of local Malay kingdoms. Over time, the islamic teachings became the culture and tradition of the Malay society and the main reason of revolting against the western colonial period around 13-20th century.

However in the middle, there are 2 chapters about islamic law and its evolution from the time of the prophet mohammed to the Ottoman period. How the implementation of the shariah (islamic legal code) in Ottoman empire, its relation with the European legal code and the rise of dual system of legal code in islamic countries post western colonialisation period which I think is not in junction with the theme of the book.

It is ended with analysis of an interesting Malaysia legal code which is an example of a dual system (islamic and western law) that is argued by the writer as a prime example on how the islamic law can go hand in hand harmoniously with the western civil law as an alternative to the other Islamic countries/muslim majority countries that want to apply the islamic law/tradition for their muslim subjects.

[Alia Salleh · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is basically research papers lumped together in a book. While the minor editing errors nags, the whole thing is very readable for people with no prior knowledge on the topic. An interesting & quick read.