Fridays in Malaysia have now been declared as ‘Jawi Day’, effective today (10 July).

To uphold the culture

According to a report by Bernama, this has been announced by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Senator Datuk Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri in a statement.

The move, according to Zulklifi, is apparently to boost a tradition and culture that has shaped Malaysia.

Zulkifli said the proposal for Fridays to be declared as ‘Jawi Day’ was made in the Cabinet meeting on 8 July, and it got full support from all the ministers.

“The government is serious about upholding the jawi script. I urge all ministries, departments, federal and state agencies, non-governmental organisations and Malaysians to work together in preserving this national heritage,” he was quoted as saying.

Zulklifi added that official letters from the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) will bear jawi script on the letterhead.

The use of Jawi will also be expanded to information on the agency’s official social media sites, he added.