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Hidayah Amin

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Hidayah Amin at her book launch

Hidayah Amin (full name: Nor Hidayah binte Mohd. Amin; born July 28, 1972) is an entrepreneur, award-winning author, publisher and social activist. She founded Archipelago Consultancy which specialises in Research, Heritage, Education and Creativity (Helang Books is a publishing imprint of Archipelago Consultancy). Hidayah is proficient in English, Malay, Bahasa Indonesia and French. She spent a few years studying Arabic and Hebrew.

Early Life[edit]

Hidayah (pronounced as he-da-yah) was born in Singapore to Mohamed Amin (father) and Asia Jofrie (mother) and is known as 'Cik Idah' to family members and close friends. She was born in her family home, Gedung Kuning[1] (Yellow Mansion) in the historic district of Kampong Gelam in Singapore. Hidayah is of Banjarese and Javanese ancestries. Her Banjarese paternal great-grandfather originated from Banjarmasin, Kalimantan, Indonesia while her Javanese maternal great, great-grandfather originated from Solo, Java, Indonesia. She is a fourth generation Singaporean.

Hidayah began her primary school education at Temasek Primary School in Singapore. She received her master’s degrees from the University of Cambridge (UK), and Lehigh University (USA) where she was a Fulbright Scholar. Whilst doing her undergraduate studies at the National University of Singapore, she went on an exchange programme to Sciences-Po Paris where she studied Philosophy, Politics, Economics in French as well as Arabic. Hidayah is the first Malay girl who received the President's Guide Award in 1989.

Books[edit]

Hidayah's first short story (The Funny Incident)[2] was published in ‘Newstrap’ when she was 11 years old. She resumed writing and published Gedung Kuning: Memories of a Malay Childhood in 2010.[3]

No. Titles ISBN Genre Year Published
1 Gedung Kuning: Memories of a Malay Childhood[4] 978-981-08-4756-2 English non-fiction 2010
*A revised edition is published to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the publication 978-981-14-8235-9 2021
2 The Mango Tree[5] 978-981-07-5134-0 Children’s picture book, non-fiction (also available in Braille and eBook) 2013
3 Malay Weddings Don’t Cost $50 and Other Facts about Malay Culture[6] 978-981-09-1051-8 English non-fiction 2014
4 Hang Nadim and the Garfish[7] 978-981-09-4899-3 Children’s picture book, fiction, Dyslexie font, Braille, tactile pictures 2015
5 Mina meets Cambridge[8] 978-981-09-4282-3 Children’s picture book, non-fiction (also available in Braille) 2015
6 A Journey of Giving: The LBKM Story[9] 978-981-09-7996-6 English non-fiction 2016
7 Kampung Tempe: Voices from a Malay Village[10] (with Yahaya Sanusi) 978-981-09-9815-8 English non-fiction 2016
8 My Name is Mikhail. I have Cerebral palsy.[11] 978-981-11-3080-9 Bilingual (English & Malay), children’s picture book, non-fiction 2017
9 Bahasa: A Guide to Malay Languages

Banjar, Bawean, Buginese, Javanese, Malay, Minangkabau, Slitar and Tagalog[12]

978-981-11-3883-6 English non-fiction 2017
10 Be Ready! Be Steady![13] (with Lee Seow Ser) 978-981-11-5797-4 Children’s picture book, fiction, Dyslexie font, Braille, tactile pictures 2018
11 The Otters of Pulau Kawan[14] (with Lee Seow Ser)[15] 978-981-11-6395-1 Children’s picture book, fiction, Dyslexie font, tactile pictures 2018
12 Siti Wan Kembang and the Deer[16] 978-981-11-7474-2 Children’s picture book, fiction, Dyslexie font, Braille, tactile pictures 2018
13 Leluhur: Singapore's Kampong Gelam[17] 978-981-11-5806-3 English non-fiction 2019
14 Kuih: From Apam to Wajik, a Pictorial Guide to Malay Desserts[18] 978-981-14-0704-8 English non-fiction 2020
15 Sang Nila Utama & Tun Seri Lanang: Singapore’s Last Malay Schools[19] 978-981-14-3298-9 English non-fiction 2021
16 The Malay Annals: Attack of the Garfish and Other Adventures[20] 978-981-123-331-9 Children’s book (with Augmented Reality elements) 2021
17 Hang Nadim dan Todak[21] 978-981-18-3534-6 Bilingual (Malay & English), children’s picture book, Dyslexie font 2022
18 My Name is Riz. I have Motor Neurone Disease.[22] (with Asri Sunawan) 978-981-18-5394-4 Bilingual (English & Malay), children’s picture book, non-fiction 2022
19 Nasi: When Rice Grains Cry, A Pictorial Guide to Malay Rice Dishes[23] 978-981-18-7132-0 English non-fiction 2023

Translator:

No. Title ISBN Genre Year
1 My Name is Nadia. I have Autism.[24]

Author: Huda Patel, Malay text: Hidayah Amin

978-981-11-13499 Bilingual (English & Malay), children’s picture book, Dyslexie font, non-fiction 2017
2 Sima Guang dan Balang Besar[25]

Author: Lee Seow Ser, Malay text: Hidayah Amin

978-981-18-3536-0 Bilingual (Malay & Chinese), children’s picture book, Dyslexie font 2022

Editor:

No. Title ISBN Genre Year
1 The Pursuit of Knowledge: Stories that Inspire and Empower[26] 978-981-09-5277-8 English non-fiction 2015
2 Hijab: Everyday Stories of Muslim Women from Singapore and Beyond 978-981-18-8413-9 English non-fiction 2023

Honorary Consultant:

For 'Girl Guides Singapore Centenary Storybooks Project'. The project aimed to instil a love for reading and creative writing in Brownies and Girl Guides by publishing a special commemorative book of stories to celebrate 100 years of Guiding in Singapore.[27]

No. Title ISBN Genre Year
1 Centurion Lady 978-981-11-4477-6 Children's picture book 2017
2 Lend a Hand 978-981-11-4478-3 Children's picture book 2017
3 Acts of Kindness 978-981-11-4480-6 Children's picture book 2017
4 Campfire's Burning 978-981-11-4479-0 Children's picture book 2017

Media Productions[edit]

Besides writing, Hidayah also dabbles in film-making, often as the scriptwriter, researcher or producer. She has a decade of media experience: producing documentaries, video and audio resources. Hidayah was also the producer for a series of five short films[28] depicting the plight of people suffering from mental illness (the films were directed by award-winning director Sanif Olek).

Awards and Nominations[edit]

No. Awards Titles Results Notes Year of Award
1 Newnham Short Story

Competition 2010-2011

Demon Wind Finalist Competition organised by Newnham College, University of Cambridge. 2011
2 2014 Singapore Literature Prize[29]

Category: English, Non-Fiction

The Mango Tree Shortlisted The book was the only children’s book among the other four shortlisted non-fiction works. 2014
3 2015 Hedwig Anuar Children’s Book Award[30] The Mango Tree Winner There were 63 entries from Singapore. 2015
4 2015 Samsung KidsTime Authors' Award[31] The Mango Tree Grand Prize

winner

There were 149 entries from the ASEAN countries, 32 second prize winners.

Grand Prize Winners: 2 from Vietnam, 2 from the Philippines, 1 from Indonesia and 1 from Singapore

2015
5 2016 International Book Awards[32]

Category: Multicultural Non-Fiction

Malay Weddings Don’t Cost $50 and Other Facts about Malay Culture One of two

finalists

2016
6 2017 IBBY Selection of Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities[33][34] Si Ma Guang and the Giant Jar

Author: Lee Seow Ser, Publisher: Helang Books

One of the

50 titles selected

First Singapore-published book in the collection since it was started in 1985.

*IBBY: Switzerland-based International Board on Books for Young People.

2017
7 2018 Singapore Book Awards [35]

Category: Best Non-Fiction Title

Bahasa: A Guide to Malay Languages

Banjar, Bawean, Buginese, Javanese, Malay, Minangkabau, Slitar and Tagalog

Finalist The Singapore Book Awards is awarded by the Singapore Book Publishers Association (SBPA).[36]

33 of the best fiction and non-fiction titles by local and international publishing firms in Singapore have been shortlisted for seven categories.

2018
8 2021 NUS Singapore History Prize[37] Leluhur: Singapore's Kampong Gelam Winner[38] There were 31 submissions, 6 books shortlisted. 2021
9 2021 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards [39] Kuih: From Apam to Wajik, a Pictorial Guide to Malay Desserts Nominated Kuih: From Apam to Wajik, a Pictorial Guide to Malay Desserts is nominated for two categories: B07 Illustrations and E03 Pastry.

B07 nominated books are from Colombia, France, Germany, Panama, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, UK, Uruguay and USA.

E03 nominated books are from Estonia, France, Iceland, India, Israel, Kuwait, Singapore,Sweden, UK and USA.

2021

Community Work[edit]

Hidayah is active in community work and participates in humanitarian activities in Singapore and overseas. Some of her voluntary activities included:

  • Founding member of Club HEAL, a registered charity that aims to assist and empower persons with mental illness to regain confidence in themselves and others in their journey towards community reintegration.[40]
  • Co-Founder of Singapore Muslim Students Overseas (SMSO).
  • A Specialist Singapore Volunteer Overseas (SVO) on the Bhutan W.I.R.E.D project (2010).[41][42]
  • Volunteer in Lehigh University’s SummerSERVE (2007) – Worked with Sioux YMCA on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, Dupree, South Dakota, USA. Initiated the Young Lakota Film-maker Project where she taught Native American children film-making.[43]
  • Volunteer in St Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA (2006-2007).
  • Volunteer in Lehigh University’s WinterSERVE[44] (2007) – Worked with the Habitat for Humanity team from Warren County to build houses for Hurricane Katrina survivors in Slidell, Louisiana, USA.[45]
  • Volunteer in Lehigh University’s DC SERVE (2006) – Worked in various soup kitchens and homeless shelters in Washington DC, USA.
  • Volunteer in the Singapore Red Cross’ Medical Relief Mission (Team 10), Meulaboh, Aceh, Indonesia (2005) – aftermath of tsunami in Aceh.
  • Public Relations Head and Organizing Committee member in the YMS Cambodia Experience 2001 in Phum Srash, Ponhea Krek District, Kampung Cham Province, Cambodia (2001) – Volunteers built wells, village hall, school, operated a mobile clinic as well as disbursed clothes and food items such as rice to the villagers.[46]
  • Voluntary Tutor for the Yayasan Mendaki Weekend Tuition Scheme (1993, 1997-2006) – The tuition programme aims to help financially poor students attain better results in their examinations.

Hidayah has organised inclusive activities, book launches and reading sessions for children with different abilities.[47] She has donated proceeds from her book sales to charities and organisations which deal with special needs children.[48] For example, Hidayah also donated £1 for every 'Mina meets Cambridge' book sold towards a bursary for Newnham College students.[49]

Personal Life[edit]

Hidayah has a younger brother, Hadi. She is a Sunni Muslim of the Shafi’i school of thought.

References[edit]

  1. "Gedung Kuning: Memories of a Malay Childhood – BiblioAsia". www.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 2018-04-09.
  2. Newstrap. Singapore: Temasek Primary School. 1983. Search this book on
  3. Lydia Vasko (26 November 2011). "Remembering life in a colonial-era home". The Straits Times.
  4. Amin., Hidayah (2010). Gedung Kuning : memories of a Malay childhood. Singapore Heritage Society. Singapore: Singapore Heritage Society. ISBN 9789810847562. OCLC 496760565. Search this book on
  5. Amin,, Hidayah (2013). The mango tree. Idris Mohd Ali, 1944-. Singapore: Helang Books. ISBN 9789810751340. OCLC 823876145. Search this book on
  6. Amin,, Hidayah (2014). Malay weddings don't cost $50 and other facts about Malay culture. Singapore. ISBN 9789810910518. OCLC 881199927. Search this book on
  7. Amin,, Hidayah (2015). Hang Nadim and the garfish : a Singapore folktale. Tan, Ai Khim,. Singapore. ISBN 9789810948993. OCLC 905891728. Search this book on
  8. Amin,, Hidayah (2015). Mina meets Cambridge. Jafri Janif, 1970-, Nathan, S. R., 1924-2016,. Singapore. ISBN 9789810942823. OCLC 902751197. Search this book on
  9. Amin,, Hidayah. A journey of giving : the LBKM story. Lembaga Biasiswa Kenangan Maulud,. Singapore. ISBN 9789810979966. OCLC 931481991. Search this book on
  10. 1959-, Yahaya Sanusi, (2016). Kampung Tempe : voices from a Malay village. Singapore. ISBN 9789810998158. OCLC 949984890. Search this book on
  11. Amin,, Hidayah (2017). My name is Mikhail, I have cerebral palsy = Nama saya Mikhail, saya palsi serebrum. EorG,, Tay, Stacey,. Singapore. ISBN 9789811130809. OCLC 976429116. Search this book on
  12. Amin,, Hidayah (2017). Bahasa : a guide to Malay languages : Banjar, Bawean, Buginese, Javanese, Malay, Minangkabau, Slitar and Tagalog. Idris Mohd Ali, 1944-, Abdullah Hassan (Linguist),. Singapore. ISBN 9789811138836. OCLC 989685257. Search this book on
  13. Amin,, Hidayah (2018). Be ready! Be steady!. Lee, Seow Ser,, Tan, Ai Khim,, Temasek Foundation Cares,. ISBN 9789811157974. Search this book on
  14. Amin, Hidayah (2018). The Otters of Pulau Kawan. Singapore. ISBN 9789811163951. OCLC 1020309367. Search this book on
  15. "Stories that Save Lives".
  16. Amin, Hidayah (2018). Siti Wan Kembang and the Deer. Singapore. ISBN 9789811174742. OCLC 1036843036. Search this book on
  17. Amin, Hidayah (2015). The Pursuit of Knowledge: Stories that Inspire and Empower. [Singapore]. ISBN 9789810952778. OCLC 1246212295. Search this book on
  18. Amin, Hidayah (2020). Kuih: From Apam to Wajik, a pictorial guide to Malay desserts. Singapore. ISBN 9789811407048. OCLC 1085535716. Search this book on
  19. Amin, Hidayah (2021). Sang Nila Utama & Tun Seri Lanang: Singapore's Last Malay Schools. Singapore. ISBN 9789811432989. OCLC 1121577085. Search this book on
  20. Amin, Hidayah (2021). The Malay Annals: Attack of the Garfish and Other Adventures. Singapore: World Scientific Education. ISBN 9789811231957. OCLC 1246212295. Search this book on
  21. Amin, Hidayah (2022). Hang Nadim dan Todak. Singapore. ISBN 9789811835346. OCLC 1309518902. Search this book on
  22. Amin, Hidayah (2022). My Name is Riz. I have Motor Neurone Disease. Riz Sunawan (co-author), Khairudin Saharom (illustrator). Singapore: Helang Books. ISBN 978-981-18-5394-4. OCLC 1342056043. Search this book on
  23. Amin, Hidayah (2023). Nasi: When Rice Grains Cry, A Pictorial Guide to Malay Rice Dishes. Jafri Janif (illustrator). Singapore: Helang Books. ISBN 978-981-18-7132-0. OCLC 1375623070. Search this book on
  24. [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/960792074 My Name is Nadia, I have Autism. Singapore. 2017. ISBN 9789811113499. OCLC 960792074. Search this book on ]
  25. Amin, Hidayah (2022). Sima Guang dan Balang Besar. Singapore. ISBN 9789811835360. OCLC 1309519181. Search this book on
  26. Amin, Hidayah (2015). The Pursuit of Knowledge: Stories that Inspire and Empower. Singapore. ISBN 9789810952778. OCLC 911258849. Search this book on
  27. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/new-books-mark-100-years-of-guides
  28. "Videos". www.clubheal.org.sg. Retrieved 2018-04-09.
  29. "Singapore Book Awards 2018" (PDF). Singapore Book Publishers Association.
  30. "Hedwig Anuar Children's Book Award". Singapore Book Council.
  31. "Samsung KidsTime Authors Award". Singapore Book Council.
  32. "2016 International Book Award". International Book Awards.
  33. "Singapore book for special needs kids lauded". The Straits Times. 6 February 2017.
  34. "Good Company". The A List Singapore. 26 May 2017.
  35. "Singapore Book Awards 2018" (PDF). Singapore Book Publishers Association.
  36. "Singapore Books Publishers Association".
  37. https://fass.nus.edu.sg/news/2021/09/09/book-on-history-of-kampong-gelam-clinches-nus-singapore-history-prize/
  38. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/kampong-glam-book-by-former-resident-hidayah-amin-wins-50k-singapore-history-prize
  39. https://www.cookbookfair.com/
  40. "'Ganding bahu bantu pesakit mental' by Dewani Abbas". Berita Harian. 15 June 2013.
  41. "Tidak sabar laksanakan misi walau pada Ramadan". Berita Harian. 6 August 2010.
  42. "CHUKHA HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL (BHUTAN WIRED PROJECT)". chukhahss.web.fc2.com. Retrieved 2018-04-09.
  43. lisaya7 (2007-08-28), A Young Lakota Filmmaker Project, retrieved 2018-04-09
  44. "SERVE Trips | Student Affairs". studentaffairs.lehigh.edu. Retrieved 2018-04-09.
  45. "Update from past pecipients (Hidayah Amin)".
  46. "Youths on mercy mission to Cambodia". The Straits Times. 9 March 2001.
  47. "Story-telling and Dramatisation Event for 30 blind kids from Lighthouse School, 25 Primary 6 kids from Zhangde Primary School and about 10 families from the homeschool community". 14 October 2016.
  48. "Book Launch at Singapore Writers Festival (SWF) 2017".
  49. "Newnham College Winter 2016 newsletter" (PDF).


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