JAKARTA, Feb 28 — Yayasan Ikatan Rakyat Malaysia-Indonesia (YIRMI) in collaboration with Islamic universities in the archipelago will encourage more publication of Islamic books in an effort to strengthen Islamic solidarity and regional culture.

Government adviser on Social and Cultural Affairs, Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim said 12 Islamic universities in Malaysia and Indonesia have been identified to ensure the success of the pilot program in producing Islamic books of intellectual, spiritual and research.

“For a start, this book will be sent to all 12 universities and we will expand it to Brunei and southern Thailand.

“We will take this approach to foster relationship and intimate friendships (among the Muslims in the archipelago),” he told reporters after the opening of the Indonesian Islamic Book Fair 2014, here today.

The fair was officiated by former vice-president of Indonesia Jusuf Kalla.

Jusuf also launched a book of poems written by Rais called Pantun & Beautiful Language: Malay Cultural Window during the event.

Rais said a book fair will be held at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC ) in April, with emphasis on the publication of Islamic concept.

Rais who is also President of International Islamic University (IIU) said IIUM will have collaboration with Islamic universities in Indonesia to produce books that not only focuses on Islamic academic-material-oriented but also on aspects of civilization, arts, culture and heritage archipelago.

In a related development, he said YIRMI would organise meetings among Muslim intellectuals throughout the archipelago to further enhance co-operation and friendship.

He said a meeting involving scholars from Malaysia and Indonesia was expected to be held in May.

On the production of the book containing the 230 poems, he said it was to ensure that the beautiful language that reflected the heritage of the archipelago’s civilisation would not be marginalised by young people in the modern world now.

He said a total of 3,500 copies have been sold through the first print and to be reprinted with the same quantity soon.

“I plan this poetry book to be marketed in Indonesia, “ he said. — Bernama