Manuscripts and texts are inseparable from the humanistic study of Islam. In the era of digitalization and the growing field of digital humanities, manuscripts have become increasingly accessible and prominent. Despite the dominance of social sciences in the study of contemporary Muslims worldwide, scholars and students must also consider the importance of texts, whether in the form of manuscripts, archives, inscriptions, or published books, not only to understand the intellectual traditions of Muslims but also to explore their practices as recorded over the centuries.

This summer school aims to provide an introductory yet critical approach to Islamic texts within the interdisciplinary study of Islam and Muslim societies, with a particular emphasis on Southeast Asia. Participants will first be introduced to the broader world of Arabic manuscripts, tracing their development and transmission from the Middle East to Southeast Asia. Building on this wider perspective, the program will examine Qur’anic manuscripts in Southeast Asia, highlighting their transmission, production, and significance within the region’s Islamic scholarly tradition. The summer school will also explore the illumination of Southeast Asian Islamic manuscripts, focusing on the artistic traditions, aesthetic features, and cultural contexts reflected in manuscript decoration. Participants, ideally advanced graduate students in Indonesia or those with an academic interest in Malay or Indonesian studies, will receive introductory training in codicology, philology, and interdisciplinary approaches to the study of Islamic texts. Courses will be held at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII).

• Proficiency in Arabic (minimum B2 level)
• Knowledge of Jawi (Malay) and/or Indonesian is preferred