UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES OF THAILAND

In front of Baan Nua Mosque

11, 12, 13 Nov - A memorable trip to Thailand organized by USM MISDEV' 11, have shown a big success. The trip had taken place in 3 different areas in South Thailand- Nakhorn Si Thammarat, Baan Nua and Hat Yai. The purpose of the trip is to gain a better understanding on the subject SIW505- Islamic Epistemology & Tasawwur.

The journey began on the bright Friday morning with the group of 52 delegates including lecturers, researchers and students departed from USM Penang at 8 am with the target to reach Walailak University which is located in the district of Nakhorn Si Thammarat at 5 pm.

Walailak University

In the middle of the journey, we stopped at Sadau for Friday Prayer and lunch. The very outrages spicy foods from Thailand had become the first hurdle for most of the delegates. At 7 pm (Thailand time), the delegates arrived safely at Walailak University even thought it is 2 hours behind the real schedule. The greetings from Walailak University was overwhelming.

Walailak University President, Dr. Keerath Saguansai

The opening ceremony of the night started with the reporting speech from Islamic Studies and Muslim Community Development for Peaceful Social Integration of Walailak University (ISWU) President, Associate Prof. Dr. Chairat Siripatana. All delegates were very delightful when the Walailak University President, Dr. Keerath Saguansai waited for almost 2 hours to give the welcoming himself and be part of the MoU signing ceremony. Before the MoU signing ceremony took place, Prof. Muhammad Syukri Salleh, the Director of ISDEV gave his appreciation speech to Walailak University. The MoU signing ceremony between ISDEV and ISWU went smoothly. The purpose of this collaboration is to develop a good relationship between ISDEV and ISWU. This collaboration enhanced the strength of ISDEV and ISWU in continuing their journey together. The night ended with a very delicious dinner prepared by Walailak University.

Prof. Muhammad Syukri Salleh, the Director of ISDEV

After the signing of the MoU (L-R: Dr Chairat, Dr. Keerath Saguansai and Prof Syukri)

On the second day, the event continued with the presentation by Associate Prof. Dr. Chairat Siripatana regarding Walailak University and ISWU. Dr. Fadzila Azni then continued to share with ISWU about ISDEV. Two MISDEV11 students, Dalfiza and Marhamah also presented their experiences in ISDEV. The event then continued with the ISDEV-ISWU-AMRON Intellectual Dialogue.

Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad

L-R: Dalfiza and Marhamah sharing their experiences

The second place to visit is Baan Nua. After 3 hours journey from Walailak University, we reached Baan Nua mosque safe and sound. The event at Baan Nua started with the dinner. After performing Maghrib prayer, the delegates were separated into groups. It was surprised when all the delegates were divided into group of 5 or 10 people to stay at the home stay provided by the Baan Nua mosque. Then the event of the night continued with the welcoming ceremony from Baan Nua mosque committee. The delegates were so lucky to have Ajan Razak as the translator. After the event, the delegates were then served with a late night supper. After that the delegates went back to their home stay separately to experience the local lifestyle of the Baan Nua community.

The Baan Nua Mosque

Baan Nua village tour

One of the houses of Baan Nua villager

The third day has finally arrived. On the bright sunny morning, we were given the opportunity to have a tour around the village of Baan Nua. After a very enjoyment tour, the delegates were then proceeded to Hat Yai. We arrived Hat Yai at 11.30 am, to shop and tour around Hat Yai city.

Shopping at Hat Yai

At 2.30 pm, it's time for us to return USM, Penang. On the way back, the delegates stopped at Al-Bukhary Mosque, Alor Star, Kedah and had the opportunity to perform prayer. At 9 pm, the delegates arrived safely in Penang. This memorable trip was a priceless life time experiences that every one of the delegates were very anxious to come back to Thailand if they were given another opportunity. MISDEV'11 had the best opportunity to gain much info regarding Islamic Epistemology and Tasawwur.

At Walailak University

ISDEV IN THE NEWS

ISDEV IN MEDAN NEWS

ISDEV activity at Universitas Pembinaan Masyarakat Indonesia (UPMI) covered by Sumut Pos

As scheduled, ISDEV lecturers were in Medan from 24th till 29th July to fulfill their appointment as Visiting Professor and Visiting Fellows at Universitas Pembinaan Masyarakat Indonesia (UPMI), Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU), Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), and Universitas Medan Area.

Their first academic activity began at UPMI on the morning of 25th July 2011. ISDEV Director Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh as UPMI's Visiting Professor and Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad and Dr Zahri Hamat as UPMI's Visiting Fellows, delivered a series of lectures on Heart-to-Heart Education: Theory and Practice. A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed by UPMI's Rector H. Syahruddin Siregar and ISDEV Director for future cooperation and activities.

ISDEV LECTURERS APPOINTED AS VISITING PROFESSOR & FELLOWS BY INDONESIAN UNIVERSITIES

In the news: Announcing the programmes of ISDEV lecturers at one of the universities in Medan, Indonesia

Five ISDEV lecturers have been appointed by three universities in Medan as their Visiting Professor and Visiting Fellows, beginning 24 July 2011.

ISDEV Director Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh has been appointed as a Visiting Professor at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), Universitas Medan Area (UMA) and Universitas Pembinaan Masyarakat Indonesia (UPMI), for a duration of between 6 to 12 months. Currently, he is also in his second term of his appointment as a Visiting Professor at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU).

Apart from him, ISDEV Deputy Director Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad and ISDEV Management Committee Member Dr Zahri Hamat have also been appointed as Visiting Fellows by Universitas Pembinaan Masyarakat Indonesia (UPMI) while ISDEV Management Committee Members Dr Mohamad Zaini Abu Bakar and Dr Zakaria Bahari have been appointed as Visiting Fellows by Universitas Medan Area (UMA).

In fulfilling the appointments, all of them will have their first trip to Medan during 24 until 29 July 2011. During the trip, Professor Syukri will talk on Heart-to-Heart Method in Teaching-Learning Process at UPMI and UMSU, on Islamic Rural Development Strategy at USU, and Opportunities and Challenges of Islamic-Based Development at UMA.

Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad will deliver a lecture at UPMI on Heart Management in the Heart-to-Heart Learning-Teaching Method and Dr Zahri Hamat on Personal Experience in Realizing Heart-to-Heart Learning-Teaching Method. Both of them also will be involved in a discussion at UMSU on the Opportunities for Research Partnership.

Dr Mohammad Zaini Abu Bakar, who is currently already at UMA, will deal with conflict management while Dr Zakaria Bahari will be delivering a lecture on Islamic finance at UMA.

In between these programmes, there will also be collective and personal supervisions for all ISDEV graduate students in Medan, as well as a PhD proposal presentation by Al-Umry, entitled Wakaf Pokok Kelapa di Kabupaten Asahan, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia: Suatu Kajian Hukum dan Mekanisme Operasi (Tree Waqf in Kabupaten Asahan, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia: A Study on Laws and Operational Mechanaisms).

ISDEV ACADEMIC VISIT TO ISLAMIC SCIENCE UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA (USIM)

On 22 February 2011, 34 ISDEV entourage visited the Faculty of Economics and Muamalat (FEM) and the Islamic Finance and Management Institute (IFWMI) of the Islamic Science University Malaysia (USIM) in Bandar Baru Nilai, Negeri Sembilan. While establishing institutional networking, they held a half-day intellectual discourse.

It began with two ISDEV PhD students presenting a paper each. Mohd Shukri Hanapi talked on Graduate Researches at ISDEV while Warjio talked on Graduate Supervision at ISDEV. It was followed by another two presentatations by IFWMI PhD students. Supiah Salleh talked on her research on Shari`ah Audit and Wan Khadijah Wan Mohd Nasir on Halal Traceability of the Halal Products respectively.

Mohd Shukri Hanapi presenting his paper. On his left is Warjio.

The occasion ended with a conclusive presentation by AssociateProfessor Dr Kalsum Ahmad of FEM on Instrumention in Research Methodology.

Earlier, ISDEV entourage were received by the Dean of the FEM Dr Asmaddy Haris and the Director of IFWMI Dr Zurina Shafii as well as their staff and graduate students.

FEM Dean Dr Asmaddy Haris (left) with ISDEV Director Prof Muhammad Syukri Salleh

ISDEV MEMBERS TREATED TO HOME-COOKED FOOD

The recent trip of the ISDEV fraternity to Medan, Indonesia was truly amazing. ISDEV members had the chance to taste Medan home-cooked food almost every dinner time whilst they were there from 1 August 2010 until 7 August 2010. Each of ISDEV PhD candidates who hailed from Medan took turn to host the ISDEV delegates who were there for the 7 day 6 night trip.

Brother Dato’ Khairil Anwar was the first to host the dinner at his lovely abode in a place called Gelugor. He had also surprised ISDEV Director, Professor Dr Muhammad Syukri Salleh, with a birthday cake. The next in line was dinner at Brother Farid Wajdi’s abode for dinner. He surprised ISDEV members with delectable home-cooked eel which was, to some, simply too irresistible.

For the fourth night, Brother Heri Kusmonto honoured ISDEV members with dinner at his exquisite residence which was quite a distance from the hurried and bustling life of the third busiest city in Indonesia. Some members who looked forward to be served with the mouth-watering cucumber juice were definitely contented with the luxurious delightful spread.

ISDEV members were brought to Prapart on the fifth night. Dinner was at the great outdoor with the beautiful and scenic Lake Toba in the backdrop. There ISDEV members were treated with “Ikan Bakar” and the delicious king of the fruits durians of North Sumatera.

Back form Prapart, Dr Sukiman, an ISDEV alumni gave a dinner treat at his beautiful house. Besides presenting the appetizing fair with a mixture of Medan and Aceh home-cooked food, there was a presentation by a Marhaban Group and another birthday cake for Prof Syukri (as he is affectionately known) to commemorate his 56th Birthday.

Just before flying back to Penang, ISDEV members were then hosted for lunch at Brother Suhrawardi Lubis’ private residence. His family members especially his wife, Sister Latifah, was all smiles as she saw ISDEV members tasting her home cooked dishes with such enthusiasm. In enjoying the food that had been prepared the ISDEV fraternity was at all times mindful of the adab (the manner and decorum) of being a guest and of eating as exemplified by Rasulullah s.a.w.