DR FADZILA AZNI WINS AGAIN

Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad receiving the Award from Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Dato' Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin, observed by Higher Education Minister Dato' Seri Mohamad Khaled Norrdin and ISDEV Director Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh

The much awaited and anticipated announcement on the winner of the prestigious Anugerah Tesis Terbaik Y.A.B. Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Muhyiddin Bin Haji Mohd. Yassin was finally made known on 23 November, 2009 at the Prince Hotel & Residences in Kuala Lumpur. Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad has done it again with her winning thesis entitled “Management Methods of Islamic Development Institutions In Malaysia”.

As the winner in the category of the Best PhD Thesis Award, Dr Fadzila Azni received a gold medal valued at RM10,000-00, cash of RM5,000-00 and a Certificate which was presented to her by the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia Y.A.B. Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Muhyiddin Bin Haji Mohd. Yassin.

Opening speech by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Dato' Haji Muhyiddin Haji Mohd Yassin

Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh presenting report analysis of the evaluation of the Award

A speech from the winner
Sharing the happiness with parents
Interviewing by reporters

Winner with ISDEV delegates

THE 3RD ISDEV INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE SUCCESSFULLY ORGANIZED

The two days 3rd ISDEV International Islamic Development Management Conference (IDMAC) with the theme set on the Islamic Capital Market was successfully organized by ISDEV. The Keynote Address for the Conference “Challenges of Realising Maqasid Al-Shari’ah in Islamic Capital Market” was delivered by Associate Professor Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dato’ Dusuki, Head of Research Affairs, International Shari’ah Research Academy for Islamic Finance (ISRA). IDMAC which was held from 28 October, 2009 to 29 October, 2009 saw a total number of 17 papers presented ranging from topics on “Fiqh Mu’amalat” to “Sukuk” and from “Shares and Stock Market” to “Islamic Capital Market”. The opening and closing remarks for the conference was given by ISDEV Director Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh and Dr Zakaria Bahari, Chairman of the IDMAC Organizing Committee respectively.

Some of the participants

A participant engaging in a discourse

Keynote speaker Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dato' Dusuki of ISRA (left) receiving souvenier from ISDEV Director Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh (right)

University of Malaya's Researchers at ISDEV

On 17 November 2009, a group of researchers led by Dr Rahimin Affandy (sitting 2nd from left) from Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya visited ISDEV. They have an intellectual discourse with ISDEV Director Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh and ISDEV Associate Fellow Dr Abdul Rahman Haji Abdullah (sitting 3rd and 4th from left respectively) on their research about contemporary Islamic institutions.

A NAS A WEEK - 4 MUHARRAM 1431H

The number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve (in a year) - so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred: that is the straight usage. So wrong not yourselves therein, and fight the Pagans all together as they fight you all together. But know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves [at-Taubah, 9: 36].

PHD CANDIDATE HERI KUSMANTO GETS THE APPROVAL TO PROCEED

Heri Kusmanto (middle) presenting his PhD research proposal

The ISDEV fraternity congregated at the Social Sciences Meeting Room (C06) on 30 October 2009 (Friday) for its Monthly Graduate Supervision. This time around it was Heri Kusmanto’s who presented and defended his proposed PhD thesis entitled “Masyarakat Sivil Muslim di Indonesia Setelah Reformasi” (The Muslim Civil Society in Indonesia After Reformation). After receiving comments from his reviewers, Associate Professor Dr Abdul Fatah Che Hamat and Shaikh Abdullah Hassan Mydin, Mr Kusmanto was nonetheless given the unanimous endorsement to proceed with his PhD proper.

Assoc. Prof Abdul Fatah (left) & Shaik Abdullah (right)

Some of the audiences

A NAS A WEEK - 27 DZULHIJJAH 1430H

Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah's Apostle (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) arrived at Medina with Abu Bakr, riding behind him on the same camel. Abu Bakr was an elderly man known to the people, while Allah's Apostle (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) was a youth that was unknown. Thus, if a man met Abu Bakr, he would say, "O Abu Bakr! Who is this man in front of you?" Abu Bakr would say, "This man shows me the Way," One would think that Abu Bakr meant the road, while in fact, Abu Bakr meant the way of virtue and good. Then Abu Bakr looked behind and saw a horse-rider persuing them. He said, "O Allah's Apostle (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam)! This is a horse-rider persuing us." The Prophet looked behind and said, "O Allah! Cause him to fall down." So the horse threw him down and got up neighing. After that the rider, Suraqa said, "O Allah's Prophet (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam)! Order me whatever you want." The Prophet said, "Stay where you are and do not allow anybody to reach us." So, in the first part of the day Suraqa was an enemy of Allah's Prophet and in the last part of it, he was a protector [Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 58: Merits of Helpers in Medina (Ansaar), Hadith Number 250].

A NAS A WEEK - 20 DZULHIJJAH 1430H

And the first to lead the way, of the Muhajirin and the Ansar, and those who followed them in goodness - Allah is well pleased with them and they are well pleased with Him, and He hath made ready for them Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide for ever, That is the supreme triumph [at-Taubah, 9:100].

A NAS A WEEK - 13 DZULHIJJAH 1430H

Narrated 'Abdullah: Allah's Apostle said, "Do not wish to be like anybody except in two cases: The case of a man whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it in the right way, and that of a man whom Allah has given religious wisdom (i.e., Qur'an and Sunnah) and he gives his verdicts according to it and teaches it." (to others i.e., religious knowledge of Qur'an and Sunnah (Prophet's Traditions))." [Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 92: Holding Fast to the Qur'an and Sunnah, Hadith No. 419].

A NAS A WEEK - 6 DZULHIJJAH 1430H

That they may witness the benefits (provided) for them, and celebrate the name of Allah, through the Days appointed, over the cattle which He has provided for them (for sacrifice): then eat ye thereof and feed the distressed ones in want [al-Hajj, 22: 28].

A NAS A WEEK - 28 DZULQA'IDAH 1430H

Narrated Uqbah ibn Amir: The Prophet (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) said: The day of Arafah, the day of sacrifice, the days of tashriq are (the days of) our festival, O people of Islam. These are the days of eating and drinking [Hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud, Book No. 13: Fasting (Kitab al-Siyam), Hadith No. 2413].

A NAS A WEEK - 21 DZULQA'IDAH 1430H

Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious [an-Nahl, 16: 125].

AN EMOTIONALLY CHARGED EVENT

On 16 October, 2009 proved to be yet another highlight in the annals of ISDEV activities. Two proposal presentations, one by Brother Muhammad Tahir (PhD Candidate) and another by Brother Ekarat Sitisan (Master Candidate – by Research) were successfully granted approval to proceed with the full research.

Brother Muhamad Tahir, ISDEV PhD candidate from Sulawesi, Indonesia

Brother Ekarat Sitisan, ISDEV M.Soc. Sc. candidate from Bangkok, Thailand

Thereafter ISDEV celebrated all newly-weds members in ISDEV with a brotherly advice on marriage from the Director of ISDEV, Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh followed by a cake cutting ceremony.

A collective cake cutting ceremony by ISDEV newly-weds members

The wedding cake

Then came the highlight of the day for the first batch of Master in Social Sciences (Islamic Development Management) (or MISDEV ’08) with the “Majlis Restu Ilmu”. The event proved to be an emotionally charged. ISDEV lecturers gave their blessings and permitted (menghalalkan) the knowledge that they have imparted and shared with MISDEV’08. It brought to light the aspects of habl min al nas (relationship between servants of Allah) from mere idealism to actuality.

Some of the MISDEV08 students

Brother Ismail Shafie (left), representing MISDEV08 students, giving a gift to ISDEV via ISDEV Director Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh (right)

A special farewell cake for MISDEV08 students

A NAS A WEEK - 14 DZUL QA'IDAH 1430H

Narrated An-Nu'man bin Bashir: I heard Allah's Apostle (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) saying, 'Both legal and illegal things are evident but in between them there are doubtful (suspicious) things and most of the people have no knowledge about them. So whoever saves himself from these suspicious things saves his religion and his honor. And whoever indulges in these suspicious things is like a shepherd who grazes (his animals) near the Hima (private pasture) of someone else and at any moment he is liable to get in it. (O people!) Beware! Every king has a Hima and the Hima of Allah on the earth is His illegal (forbidden) things. Beware! There is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoilt the whole body gets spoilt and that is the heart [Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book No. 2: Belief, Hadith No. 49].

A NAS A WEEK - 7 DZUL QA'IDAH 1430H

But teach (thy Message) for teaching benefits the Believers [Al-Dzaariyaat, 51: 55].

In September, the frenzied atmosphere that surrounded the first batch of Masters Students in Islamic Development Management (MISDEV ’08) were felt as the due date for the submission of their written dissertation edged closer and closer. Although not a mandatory requirement, four students from MISDEV ’08 volunteered to present and shared their findings which were slotted for in three consecutive Fridays of September – all during the month of Ramadhan. The intellectual discourse for these students proved to be beneficial as the feedback received from the reviewers appointed allowed the students to improve on their dissertation before the final submission.

Dissertation presentation by Zaleha Embong

Dissertation presentation by Hasliza Saad

Dissertation presentation by Shereeza Dissertation presentation by Mohd Zulhafiz

In the midst of the dissertation fever felt by MISDEV ’08, the blessed fasting month did not pass by ISDEV idly. To celebrate in the barakah found in the month of Ramadhan, ISDEV feasted its members on 11 September, 2009 at the Dewan Bankuet, USM to iftar (the breaking of fast) which was followed by tazkirah and the congregational prayers of maghrib, then isya and the nawafil tarawikh prayers.

Iftar
Iftar

MISDEV09 Students with Prof Syukri's wife and daughter (4th & 5th from right respectively) at ISDEV's Iftar

The Chairman of the ISDEV's Iftar Organizing Committee Dr Zakaria Bahari (left) and ISDEV Director Prof Syukri (right)

DR FADZILA AZNI AHMAD IS ISDEV NEWLY APPOINTED DEPUTY DIRECTOR

ISDEV is steadily but surely growing. With this growth, more responsibilities and more challenges await. As such the appointment of Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad (or affectionately known as Dr Sukainah among ISDEV members) as the Deputy Director of ISDEV came as no surprise. In fact it is news that is greatly anticipated by many within ISDEV. Her appointment as ISDEV 1st Deputy Director which commenced from 15 May, 2009 until 31st December, 2011 is definitely a boost to ISDEV and an indication of ISDEV growing recognition.

Heartiest Congratulations to Dr Fadzila Azni!

A NAS A WEEK - 1 DZUL QA'IDAH 1430H

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "A believer is not stung twice (by something) out of one and the same hole."[Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Volume 8, Book No. 73: Good Manners and Form (al-Adab), Hadith No. 154].

AMIDST THE SILENCE: ISDEV A BUZZ WITH ACTIVITIES IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER

It has been said that time and tide waits for no man. ISDEV is surely not exempted from the ticking of time too. Amidst the apparent silence ISDEV has been a buzzed with activities in these past three months.

In August, whilst the majority of USM fraternity were basking in the mid-semester break, ISDEV members were busy organizing and simultaneously participating in the 4th International Graduate Workshop held at Dewan Persidangan Universiti, USM on 18 – 19 August, 2009. A total of 61 working papers were presented of which participants from varied international background congregated at the said workshop. There were two keynote addresses which were aptly themed on “Academic Integrity”. Director of ISDEV, Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh, the first key note speaker talked about Academic Integrity in Writing whilst the second key note speaker, Dr. Mohammad Zaini bin Abdu Bakar delivered his address on the second day about Academic Integrity in Research.

Certificate of Participation

Dr Zakaria (left) from USM and Avrizal (right) from Medan

Registration: Sunaryo from Malang, Indonesia (left) and Dr Masakaree Ardae from Thailand (right)

Registration

The Conference


The Dean of the Institute of Postgraduate Studies, Prof Roshada Hashim (left) receiving a gift from the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad (right) after closing the Conference

More events have been planned for the month of October. Recently MISDEV’09 organized an intellectual trip to the headquarters of HPA in Perlis (with a shopping spree to Padang Besar and a bite at Radix Fried Chicken in Alor Star). In the pipeline for this month are as follows:

1) Four proposal presentations of ISDEV postgraduate students by research on 16th and 30th October respectively
2) Feast for ISDEV newly-wed members on 16th October
3) Farewell feast for MISDEV ’08 coupled with “Majlis Restu Ilmu” on 16th October, and
4) The 3rd ISDEV International Islamic Development Management Conference: Islamic Capital Market on 28-29th October and

5) Monthly Graduate Supervision on 30th October

Prof Syukri giving an introductory lecture in the bus on a trip to HPA in Perlis

ISDEV Post-Doctoral Fellow Dr Miftah Rohim delivering tazkirah on the journey to HPA in Perlis

Dinner at Radix Fried Chicken restaurat in Alor Setar, Kedah

From left: Mohd Amin, Mohd Zulhafiz and Ekarat Sitisan at the Radix Fried Chicken restaurant

A NAS A WEEK - 23 SHAWWAL 1430H

"... Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another in sin and rancour: fear Allah: for Allah is strict in punishment." [al-Maaidah, 5: 2; Translation by Abdullah Yusuf Ali]

A NAS A WEEK - 16 SHAWWAL 1430H

Narrated Samurah ibn Jundub: The Prophet (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) named our cavalry "the Cavalry of Allah," when we were struck with panic, and when panic overtook us, the Apostle of Allah (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) commanded us to be united, to have patience and perseverance; and to be so when we fought [Hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud, Book No. 14: Jihad, Hadith No. 2554].

A NAS A WEEK - 9 SHAWWAL 1430H

Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth, prepared for the righteous [Aali 'Imraan, 3:133].

A NAS A WEEK - 2 SHAWWAL 1430H

Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) as saying: He who observed the fast of Ramadan and then followed it with six (fasts) of Shawwal, it would be as if he fasted perpetually [Hadith from Sahih Muslim, Book No. 6: The Book of Fasting (Kitab al-Sawm), Chapter No. 36: Excellence of Observing Fast for Six Days in the Month of Shawwal, Hadith No. 2614].

HAPPY EID-UL-FITRI FROM ISDEV

ISDEV WISHING ALL A HAPPY EID-UL-FITRI May Allah swt accepts our ibadah and forgives our deficiencies during Ramadhan

A NAS A WEEK - 24 RAMADHAN 1430H

The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practise regular charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise [at-Taubah, 9: 71].

A NAS A WEEK - 17 RAMADHAN 1430H

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that Allah's Messenger (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time [Hadith from Sahih Muslim, Book No. 6: The Book of Fasting (Kitab al-Sawm), Chapter 37: One Should Exert More (In Devotion and Prayer) in the Last Ten Days of Ramadhan, Hadith No. 2644].

A NAS A WEEK - 10 RAMADHAN 1430H

Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur-an, as a guide to mankind, also Clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful [al-Baqarah, 2: 185].

A NAS A WEEK - 3 RAMADHAN 1430H

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) as saying: When there comes the month of Ramadan, the gates of mercy are opened, and the gates of Hell are locked and the devils are chained [Hadith from Sahih Muslim, Book No. 6: The Book of Fasting (al-Sawm), Chapter 1: Excellence of the Month of Ramadhan, Hadith No. 2361].

A NAS A WEEK - 26 SYA'ABAN 1430H

O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint [al-Baqarah, 2:183].

A NAS A WEEK - 19 SYA'ABAN 1430

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, 'I am fasting." The Prophet added, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times."[Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book no. 31: Fasting, Hadith No. 118].

A NAS A WEEK - 12 SYA'ABAN 1430H

Did ye think that ye would enter Heaven without Allah testing those of you who fought hard (in His Cause) and remained steadfast? [Aali 'Imran, 3: 142]