Solehah Yaacob

Dr Solehah Yaacob
Official portrait, 2018
Born
Pasir Mas, Kelantan, Malaysia
OccupationsLinguist, academic
Known forScholarship in Arabic grammatical theory and historical linguistics
TitleProfessor of Arabic linguistics

Solehah Yaacob is a Malaysian linguist, academic and author who had served as Professor of Arabic linguistics at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) until April 2026.[1][2] Recognised for her scholarly work on Arabic grammatical philosophy and the historical development of the language, she has contributed several studies examining the relationship between Arabic, civilisation and Islamic intellectual heritage.[3][4] Her work is frequently associated with IIUM’s broader intellectual project of integrating Islamic values within contemporary academic disciplines.

Solehah Yaacob is widely known for a series of controversial pseudohistorical claims. Her claims include that ancient Malays could fly and taught the Chinese "flying kung fu", that ancient Romans have learned shipbuilding techniques from Malays, and that the abundance of iron ore in ancient Kedah resulted of meteor strikes.[5][6][7] In August 2026, IIUM confirmed that it had terminated Solehah's employment with effect from 27 April and that she was no longer permitted to identify herself as a professor or claim any official affiliation with the university.[8][9]

Early life and education

Solehah was born in Pasir Mas, Kelantan and pursued all her tertiary education at IIUM.[1] After completing a bachelor’s degree in the Arabic language and literature and a master’s degree in Teaching Arabic as a Second Language, she earned a PhD in Arabic linguistics. Her doctoral dissertation examined the historical evolution of the classical theory of ʿamal, a cornerstone of Arabic grammatical analysis.[10]

Academic career

Solehah began her career at IIUM in 1995 and later becoming full professor in 2020.[1] At the Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, she taught courses on Arabic grammar, semantics, pragmatics, historical linguistics and comparative linguistic theory.[11]

Solehah also works as the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Arabic Language Specialized Research (J-ALSR) and has overseen publications on contemporary and classical debates in Arabic linguistics.[12] She has also collaborated with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), IIIT and other national research bodies on Arabic language studies and the Islamisation of the human sciences.[3]

Controversial claims

In September 2024, a video clip circulated on social media in which Solehah discussed claims that Khadija bint Khuwaylid, the first wife of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, may have originated from the Malay world. Solehah later denied claiming that Khadija was Malay, saying that the video had been edited.[13][14]

In September 2025, Solehah claimed on a Gabungan Nasionalis ("Nationalist Coalition") podcast that ancient Malays could fly and had taught the Chinese "flying kung fu". Malaysian historians rejected the claim as myth rather than history.[5]

In November 2025, a brief excerpt from one of Solehah's lectures, in which she claimed the Romans had learned to build ships from Malays, circulated online and became the subject of regional media coverage. Media coverage from Sinar Harian, Berita Harian, New Straits Times, Malaysiakini, Free Malaysia Today, The Rakyat Post, The Straits Times and the South China Morning Post documented various public responses and institutional clarifications.[15][16][17][18][19][20][6][21] In mid-November 2025, the International Islamic University of Malaysia confirmed it would establish an internal inquiry panel to examine Solehah's claims, pending disciplinary proceedings.[22][23]

Also in November 2025, independent scholar Sharifah Munirah Alatas pointed out that Solehah's 2018 paper had cited a satirical news from The Onion as factual evidence. The news jokingly claimed that historians had fabricated ancient Greek civilisation. Sharifah Munirah called for Solehah‘s paper to be retracted, citing its use of an unreliable source and improper attribution.[24][25]

In March 2026, Solehah asserted that Rentap, a prominent 19th-century Iban warrior, was of Malay ancestry and a descendant of the legendary Malaccan figure Hang Tuah. The claim was disputed by Malaysian academics, who accused her of attempting to rewrite Sarawak's history.[26][27]

In August 2026, Solehah was reported presenting a theory that the abundance of iron ore mined and smelted in ancient Kedah was due to a meteor shower. This theory was refuted with archeological studies of the iron ore recovered at the Sungai Batu Archaeological Complex, showing that the ore was of earthly origins, and there was no records of a meteor shower that could drop iron ore in the area.[7][28]

Termination from IIUM

On 23 August 2026, IIUM confirmed that it had terminated Solehah's employment on 27 April. As part of her termination, Solehah was prohibited from using any titles or positions linking her to IIUM in any promotional materials, media reports, advertisements, social media content, publicity material, or any other form of public dissemination.[2][8] Solehah intended to challenge the termination in the Industrial Court on grounds that the university was unprofessional about the termination, refusing to allow her to appeal it.[29]

Research and scholarship

Arabic grammatical philosophy

Much of Solehah’s scholarship centres on the classical Arabic grammatical tradition. In her analytical study of the theory of ʿamal, she re-examines the conceptual foundations of Arabic syntax and its philosophical underpinnings.[10] Her work frequently highlights the intellectual sophistication of early Arabic grammarians and the organic relationship between linguistic theory, logic and Islamic intellectual history.[30]

Semantics, pragmatics and rhetoric

Her 2018 monograph connects the classical field of Arabic rhetoric (balāghah) with modern semantic and pragmatic theory, presenting the two traditions as complementary rather than competing.[11] She has also contributed to studies on the linguistic and cultural dimensions of pre-modern Arabic texts.[31]

Historical linguistics

Solehah’s work in historical linguistics frames Arabic as a central civilisational language with a long intellectual reach across regions and time periods. Her DBP monograph discusses the evolution of Arabic and its interactions with neighbouring linguistic and cultural spheres.[3] She has also examined comparative Semitic linguistics, proposing ways in which classical Arabic may serve as a reference point for understanding the broader family of Semitic languages.[4]

Islamisation of knowledge

In line with IIUM’s long-standing institutional mission, Solehah has written on the integration of Islamic ethical perspectives into contemporary knowledge production.[32] Her work in this area explores how language, meaning and ethical reasoning interact within both Islamic and modern academic frameworks.

Selected works

Books

  • Yaacob, Solehah (2014). Dirāsah Naqdiyyah fī al-Tafkīr al-Naḥwī al-ʿArabī. Cairo: Dar as-Salam.
  • Yaacob, Solehah (2016). The Intricacy and Delicacy in the Historical Development of Arabic Language. Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.
  • Yaacob, Solehah (2018). Balaghah, Semantik dan Pragmatik Bahasa Arab. Kuala Lumpur: IIUM Press.

Articles

  • Yaacob, Solehah (2014). "Arabic Language as the Foundation of Semitic Languages". Arab World English Journal. 5 (3): 278–290.
  • Yaacob, Solehah (2019). "The Syntactical Regulator in Arabic Syntax: An Analytical Study". Intellectual Discourse.
  • Yaacob, Solehah (2022). "The Relationship between Literature, Language and Culture in Ancient Texts". Majalah al-Dad.
  • Yaacob, Solehah (2024). "Integration of Islamic Values within Science Based on IOHK Theory". International Journal of Religion.
  • Yaacob, Solehah (2025). "A Review of Arabic Linguistic Argumentations and Their Misconceptions". Journal of Advanced Research in Social and Behavioural Sciences. 28 (2).

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Staff Profile: Prof Dr Solehah Yaacob". International Islamic University Malaysia. Retrieved 13 November 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. 1 2 Lee, Benjamin (23 August 2026). "IIUM strips controversial academic of titles following April dismissal". The Star. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Yaacob, Solehah (2016). The Intricacy and Delicacy in the Historical Development of Arabic Language. Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.
  4. 1 2 Yaacob, Solehah (2014). "Arabic Language as the Foundation of Semitic Languages" (PDF). Arab World English Journal. 5 (3): 278–290.
  5. 1 2 "No, Malays could not fly: Scholars call out pseudohistory". Scoop. 1 October 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
  6. 1 2 Hassan, Hazlin (11 November 2025). "Romans learnt shipbuilding from Malays? Malaysian academia's integrity in question after claim". The Straits Times. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  7. 1 2 "Iron From The Sky, Romans, Flying Kung Fu: The Theories Keep Coming, The Evidence Keeps Saying No". The Rakyat Post. 21 August 2026. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
  8. 1 2 "IIUM ends lecturer Solehah Yaacob's service". Free Malaysia Today. 23 August 2026. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
  9. ↑ "IIUM ends ties with academic behind controversial Roman-Malay shipbuilding claim". Malay Mail. 23 August 2026. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
  10. 1 2 Yaacob, Solehah (2014). Dirāsah Naqdiyyah fī al-Tafkīr al-Naḥwī al-ʿArabī. Cairo: Dar as-Salam.
  11. 1 2 Yaacob, Solehah (2018). Balaghah, Semantik dan Pragmatik Bahasa Arab. Kuala Lumpur: IIUM Press.
  12. ↑ Yaacob, Solehah (2025). "A Review of Arabic Linguistic Argumentations and Their Misconceptions". Journal of Advanced Research in Social and Behavioural Sciences. 28 (2). Karya Ilham Publications.
  13. ↑ "Prof. Solehah nafi dakwa Siti Khadijah dari alam Melayu, ceramah disunting". Malaysia Gazette (in Malay). 1 September 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  14. ↑ "IIUM acts against lecturer over 'prophet's wife from Malay realm' clip". Malaysiakini. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  15. ↑ Husin, Mukhriz (5 November 2025). "'Rom belajar bina kapal daripada orang Melayu' - Professor Dr Solehah". Sinar Harian. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  16. ↑ Hamid, Suralinda (19 November 2025). "UIAM tubuh panel inkuiri jalankan penelitian dakwaan kapal Taa dun Rom". Berita Harian. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  17. ↑ Hassan, Hazween (10 November 2025). "IIUM Professor doubles down: 'Romans learned shipbuilding from Malays theory' based on extensive study". New Straits Times. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  18. ↑ "Prof Solehah tetap pertahan dakwaan Rom belanar buat kapal dark Melayu". Malaysiakini. 10 November 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  19. ↑ "IIUM lecturer defends claim Romans learned shipbuilding from Malays". Free Malaysia Today. 9 November 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  20. ↑ "How to Sink a Theory: Academic responses discussed". The Rakyat Post. 11 November 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  21. ↑ "Did Malays teach Romans shipbuilding? Malaysian academic's claim draws brickbats". South China Morning Post. 7 November 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  22. ↑ "IIUM sets up inquiry panel over lecturer's claim on shipbuilding". Free Malaysia Today. 18 November 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  23. ↑ "Is another right-wing linguist trying to politicise history with "Malay civilisation older than China's"?". Focus Malaysia. 15 August 2026. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  24. ↑ "Lecturer's 2018 journal article should be retracted, says scholar". Free Malaysia Today. 10 November 2025. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  25. ↑ "UM urged to retract journal article after scholar cites satirical news as fact". The Vibes. 10 November 2025. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  26. ↑ "Prof Solehah trolled for staking lineage claim of famed Iban warrior as "being of Malay origin"". Focus Malaysia. 12 March 2026. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  27. ↑ DayakDaily Team (13 March 2026). "'Don't rewrite our history': Activist slams claim linking Rentap to Malay narrative". DayakDaily. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  28. ↑ "Prof Solehah: Ancient Kedah's iron ore abundance due to meteoric shower, not natural formation". Focus Malaysia. 20 August 2026. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  29. ↑ Augustin, Sean (23 August 2026). "Controversial lecturer Solehah to challenge termination by IIUM". Free Malaysia Today | FMT. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  30. ↑ Yaacob, Solehah (2019). "The Syntactical Regulator in Arabic Syntax: An Analytical Study". Intellectual Discourse. IIUM Press. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  31. ↑ Yaacob, Solehah (2022). "The Relationship between Literature, Language and Culture in Ancient Texts". Majalah al-Dad. 6 (1).
  32. ↑ Yaacob, Solehah (2024). "Integration of Islamic Values within Science Based on IOHK Theory". International Journal of Religion. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
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