Mohammed H.

Al- Aqad
alakkadmohmad@um.edu.my

Nael F M Hijjo
nael_hijjo@yahoo.com

Faculty of Languages and Linguistics

University of Malaya

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFXx88cStKw

Abstract:

This paper investigates the linguistic status of Malaysian from Arab

descent of the South China Sea coastal communities focusing on language
as an ethnic identifier. The paper provides better understanding of the
Malaysian coastal communities from Arab descent in terms of language
shift and language maintenance.

Moreover, the study offers an explanation of the relationship between two

phenomena of language shift, the ethnicity and identity of Malayness and
Arabness.

Historically, Arabs especially of Hadhrami descent or Hadhramaut (Arabic:

)came from the Republic of Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula,
arrived to Malaysia Peninsula five centuries ago and played a significant
role in the Malay society. These people of Hadhramaut are called
Hadhramis and speak Hadhrami Arabic, which is almost the same but with
different accent. Hadhramis live in South China Sea coastal states such as
Kelantan, Kedah, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor.

They are very well-known in Malaysia as academics, Islamic scholars,

professional practitioners, political leaders, businessmen/women and
intellectuals; beside other occupations in various levels in the society.
Moreover, some of them are also members of loyal families in Perak &
Melacca

The History of Arab (Hadramis) in Malaysia.

The Hadhrami (Arabic: ,sing.) or Hadharem (Arabic:

,
pl.) are people inhabiting the Hadhramaut region in Yemen
and their descendants in diaspora communities around the world.
They speak Hadhrami Arabic, which belongs to the Semitic branch
of the Afro-Asiatic family.
As representatives of the pure source of Islam, Arab immigrants
commanded a natural respect in nineteenth century in Southeast
Asia, particularly if they were Sayyids. Isolated Arabs had made
their way east since the seventeenth century, and become extremely
influential in such states as Atjeh, Siak, Palembang, and Ponti- anak.
Larger-scale emigration from the impoverished Hadhramaut began
at the end of the eighteenth century, affecting Sumatra first, and
Java by the middle of the nineteenth century. Their number
remained relatively small. Netherlands India counted 20,500
persons claiming Arab descent in 1885 and 29,000 in 1905.

Hadramis have a long history of contact with South and South-East

Asia; most probably dating back to the pre-Islamic and early Islamic
days. Mainly through the trade in spices and incense.

It is in the 13th Century onwards, that large waves of Hadhramis

migrated to Malaysia; especially in the 17th, 18th and 19th
Centuries. Apart from trading, the Hadharem were missionaries too;
preaching and spreading Islam. Most went on to marry converted
Muslim women and settled in many parts of Malaysia. With time,
Hadhramis became some of the leading scholars, academics and
leaders in their newly adapted homeland. Being excellent
merchants, as few as they are, Hadhramis were very influential
traders; and still they are.

When the history of South-East Asia is mentioned, many times the

role of Hadhramis is ignored. But very few other people have left
such a deep, long lasting impact on Malaysia and many parts of that
part of Asia as the Hadharem.

Today: the Hadharem of Malaysia, like people of other origins,

though totally Malaysian, maintain in many ways - their ancestral
identities, through religious and cultural occasions and celebrations.
Like in Saudi Arabia, Amman and many other parts of the world
where Hardhramis settled, a number of 'Hadhramout' restaurants can
be found in Malaysia, serving Hadrami and other Yemeni cuisines.

Any Arab visiting Malaysia feels very comfortable and very much
at home, not only because of Islam but also due to the strong
Hadhrami foundation and presence there. Go to Malaysia streets
nowadays and you will find thousands of Arab visitors, tourists,
students and expatriates. Many Arabs from the Middle East are now
investing, trading and having second homes in Malaysia.

The first fruit of this new attitude in Southeast Asia was probably a
mission from Mecca in 1881.
British agents in Arabia reported the departure for Singapore of two
Imams and a trader who "occupy so important position in the
Mohamedan world hence, their movements seldom fail to have a
politicalobject.
Restrictions on the movement of Arabs were tightened and some
districts were banned to them altogether.
It is particularly at this period at the end of the nineteenth century
that Holland gained the reputation among Muslims as the most
fanatical opponent of Islam.
Malays are automatically Muslims, according to the Federal
Constitution of Malaysia, and Muslims are prohibited from leaving
Islam and converting to other religions. By law, Malays become
Muslims by birth, whether they like it or not, and once a Muslim
always a Muslim

The case in its contemporary settings:

Taking religion as not only a spiritual but also a civil and political
space, Hadhramis are important historical figures in the building of
public institutions and the formation of modern states; they played a
vital role as diplomats in particular.

Today they remain active in the public affairs of the Malay world.
For example, Syed Hamid Albar was appointed the minister of
foreign affairs of Malaysia from 1999 to 2008when he was made
minister of home affairs for one year, and he leads many high
position in the Malaysian community.

Typically, these prominent figures did not discuss the Hadhrami

element of their biographies, at least not in public.

Tuanku Zara
Salim, the wife
of the Sultan
of Perak, Raja
Dr Nazrin Shah

Neelofa Noor
Well-known
as Malaysian
actress and TV
hoster

Sheikh Muszaphar
Shukor Al Masrie is
a Malaysian
orthopaedic
surgeon and the first
Malaysian astronaut.

Tuanku Syed
Sirajuddin ibni
Tuanku Syed
Putra, is the
Raja Muda
(Crown Prince)
of the
Malaysian state
of Perlis.

Jan Stark (2007) in his article entitled Indian Muslims in

Malaysia: Images of Shifting Identities in the Multi-ethnic State
stated that The Arab-Malay minority has faced much lesser
problems in adjusting itself to the Malay-Muslim majority than the
Indian Muslims. Both being rooted in Islam that has been perceived
as an Arab religion, particularly after the emergence of the
Islamic resurgence in the late nineteenth century and again in the
1970s, as well as due to prestigious marriage alliances with Malay
royalty, the Arabs have been well-established in Malay society.
Since it is much more profitable to be Malay both economically
and politically, Malays of Arab descent have also established
alliances with Malay chambers of commerce and have been
admitted to the UMNO. Especially since the Islamization of the
UMNOs policies after Anwar Ibrahim was co-opted into the
Mahathir administration in 1982, Malays of Arab descents as
members of the Al-Attas family have played an active role in the
creation of Islamic discourses.

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi

Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi Arabic:

Abdullh ibn aajj Amad Badaw; was born in Bayan Lepas,
Penang to a prominent religious family. Badawi's paternal
grandfather, Syeikh Abdullah Badawi Fahim, was of Arab descent.
Abdullah born in 26 November 1939) is a Malaysian politician who
served as prime minister from 2003 to 2009. He was also the
President of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the
largest political party in Malaysia, and led the governing Barisan
Nasional parliamentary coalition. He is called as the Father of
Human Capital Development (Bapa Pembangunan Modal Insan).
Abdullah appointed by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as deputy
prime minister. Abdullah went on to succeed Mahathir as prime
minister in 2003.

Syed Ahmad Syed Mahmud Shahabuddin

Tun Datuk Seri Utama Syed Ahmad Al-Haj bin Syed Mahmud
Shahabuddin (4 May 1925 7 July 2008) was a Malaysian politician.
Syed Ahmad Hadhrami-Malay descent; his Arab ancestors had
migrated from Hadhramaut and settled in Kedah. He was the Menteri
Besar of Kedah from 1967 to 1978 and the fifth Yang di-Pertua
Negeri (Governor) of Melaka state from 1984 until 2004. Syed Ahmad
was appointed as Deputy Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs (1978
1982).
Syed Ahmad had wide experience and actively engaged in politics. He
was the Kedah UMNO Assistant Secretary (19511954), Secretary
Kedah UMNO (19541967), Chairman, UMNO State Liaison
Committee and Kedah National Front (19671978), UMNO Supreme
Council Member (19681978), and Deputy chairman, UMNO State
Liaison Committee and Kedah National Front (19781984).

Syed Mokhtar al-Bukhary

Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Shah bin Syed Nor Al-Bukhary (Arabic:
Sayyid Mutr h bin Sayyid Nr al-Bur; born
1952)
Brief biography: Syed Mokhtar's success story is one of rags-to-riches.
Born into poverty in Alor Setar, Kedah, the 3rd of 7 children, to a middlelow class Yemeni trader who settled down in Kedah during the 1940s, Syed
Mokhtar's family was so poor that they lived in a wooden shed without a
single piece of furniture; not even a bed, table, or chair. As a young child,
he helped his mother to grow and sell vegetables and at the market. While
studying at St. Michael's Secondary School, Syed Mokhtar sold roti canai at
the market to supplement the family's income.
Syed Mokhtar formed Bukhary (KL) Sdn Bhd in 1977 to cash in on the
lucrative government contracts awarded to bumiputera entrepreneurs. He
converted the ground floor of the shop house into a packaging factory,
trading in rice, tea, cocoa powder, milk powder, palm oil.
Syed Mokhtar soon obtained a multi-million ringgit contract to supply
330,000 uniforms and 120,000 pairs of shoes to the Ministry of Defence.

Even when countries officially recognize

multilingualism, the vast majority of
languages are left unsupported and
unrecognized
Schools, govt, administration, business, etc.
will be conducted in a majority language
Most languages of the world today are in
danger

Each language has unique structure,

grammatical categories, lexical items,
discourse-marking devices, etc. These are
irreplaceable, part of the collective genius of
the group. These can be lost, and translation
can never capture it all

Thanks
for listening