AWESOME NEWS YET AGAIN FOR ISDEV - WARJIO EXCELS

ISDEV PhD candidate Brother Warjio had superbly succeeded to defend his viva which was held on Thursday 7 April, 2011 at the Mc Clintock Room of the Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IPS) Building. His PhD Thesis was on “Parti Politik Dakwah di Indonesia: Ideologi, Strategi dan Pencapaian Partai Keadilan Sejahtera (PKS) 1998-2009” (Political Da’wah Parties in Indonesia: Ideology, Strategy and Achievements of the Partai Keadilan Sejahtera (PKS) 1998-2000). Warjio’s thesis was supervised by Dr. Zaini Abu Bakar and Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh. He took a minimum duration of just two years to complete his study.

Warjio had confidently answered questions posed by the panel of examiners during the viva chaired by Professor Munirah Ghazali. The three examiners were Professor Dr. Badlihisham Mohd. Nasir of Jabatan Pengajian Dakwah & Kepimpinan, UKM, Dr. Wan Asna binti Wan Mohd Nor @ Wan Zakaria of Pengajian Jarak Jauh, USM and Dr Fadzila Azni of Pengurusan Pembangunan Islam, USM. Dr Zahari Hamat represented the Dean of Social Sciences and Professor Dr Badlihisham who was on post-operation medical leave.

The examiners unanimously gave their recommendation that the thesis is suitable to be nominated for Best Thesis Award (Pure Arts) at the university level.

Before the viva, solatul hajat and doa were held, led by Warjio himself

Then, having breakfast together

And now, the real occasion, Warjio defending his thesis

After the defence and happy decision, Warjio with Board of Examiners

And finally, the thankful feast

A NAS A WEEK - 6 JAMADIL AWWAL

And We charge no soul except (with that within) its capacity, and with Us is a record which speaks with truth; and they will not be wronged [al-Mu'minuun, 23:62].

A NAS A WEEK - 29 RABI' AL-THANI 1432

Narrated Abu Musa: Some people asked Allah's Apostle, "Whose Islam is the best? i.e. (Who is a very good Muslim)?" the Prophet salallahu 'alaihi wassalam replied, "One who avoids harming the Muslims with his tongue and hands." [Hadith from the Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 2: Belief Volume 1, Hadith Number 11].

ISDEV IN THE NEWS, NST 15 MARCH 2011

MEMORIES OF ISDEV GRADUATION NIGHT 2011

The backdrop of the Night, themed Ruhbanun fil Lail, Wa Fursanun fin Nahar

In memory of the recent ISDEV Graduation Night 2011, which meant to celebrate the completion of the study of 23 ISDEV graduates (20 ISDEV Master Mixed-Mode and 2 PhD and 1 Master Research-Mode), here are some photographs taken during the Night.

Table 1 with some of the food

MISDEV10 Juniza, Aisyah and Shahirah: three of the Organizing Committee Members of the Night

Some of family members of graduating Tuan Azura (standing right)

Dean of the School of Social Sciences Associate Professor Dr Ismail Baba giving a welcoming speech

Dr Ahmad Azrin Adnan (left), one of PhD graduates who won ISDEV Excellent Thesis Award 2011, receiving the Award from the Dean of the School of Social Sciences (middle), witnessing by ISDEV Director Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh (right)

ISDEV Master Mixed-Mode Khairul Faizi (left), one of six Master Mixed-Mode graduates who won ISDEV Excellent Dissertation Award 2011, receiving the Award from ISDEV Director (right)

Some of the graduating ISDEV graduates with the Dean and lecturers

ISDEV GRADUATE NIGHT 2011

ISDEV Deputy Director Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad (2nd left) during ISDEV Graduation Night 2011 with MISDEV09 graduates - (l-r: Lenny, Azrin and Shafiza who have successfully completed their Master degree

On 18 March 2011, ISDEV celebrated the success of its graduates in an annual ISDEV Graduate Night 2011. A total of around 150 ISDEV fraternity, consisting of the graduates who received their degrees at USM March's convocation the next day, their families, on-going graduate students, as well as ISDEV academic staff and families, were there.

ISDEV is proud to have two PhD and one Master by Research students, plus 20 Master Mixed-Mode students that have succeeded in their studies, hence the celebration. The two PhD students, Dr Ahmad Azrin Adnan and Dr Muhammad Tahir, were unanimously agreed by their examiners to be nominated for USM Best Thesis Award (Pure Arts), while another 6 Master Mixed-Mode students, viz. Shafiza Shaari, Inke Kesumawati Adnan, Abdullah Fahimy Abu Bakar, Siti Syuhada Mohamad, Khairul Faizi Mohd Rafie and Lenny Luat have been acknowledged by their examiners to have written excellent Master Dissertations.

During the Night, ISDEV appreciated the high achievement of these graduates by awarding ISDEV Excellent Thesis Award to the two PhD graduates and ISDEV Excellent Dissertation Award to the six Master Mixed-Mode graduates. The former was given away by the Dean of the School of Social Sciences Associate Professor Dr Ismail Baba while the latter by ISDEV Director Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh.

ISDEV graduates and family members having dinner during the Graduation Night

Mohd Syakir and Anwar entertaining the guests with nashid performance

The Dean of the School of Social Sciences (middle) Associate Professor Dr Ismail Baba presenting ISDEV Excellent Thesis Award to Muhammad Tahir, watched by ISDEV Director Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh (right)

L-R: Dr Muhammad Tahir and Dr Ahmad Azrin Adnan who won ISDEV Excellent Thesis Award 2011

Ekarat Sitisan who has successfully completed his Master degree

A NAS A WEEK - 23 RABI' AL-THANI 1432H

And [they are] those who do not testify to falsehood, and when they pass near ill speech, they pass by with dignity [al-Furqan, 25:72].

MEDAN 2011 MISSIONS ACCOMPLISHED

ISDEV fraternity on their arrival at the International Polonia Airport in Medan, Indonesia, on 11 March 2011, performing thankful prayer for their safe journey and stay

During the seven-days trip to Medan, from 11 to 17 March 2011, five targeted missions of 43 ISDEV fraternity were accomplished. The missions were firstly, the signing of Memorandum of Cooperation between ISDEV and Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU); secondly, the International Seminar on the Islamic Management Applications; thirdly, the intellectual expedition to Lake Toba and Samosir Island; fourthly, the launching of Journal of Islamic Development Politics (JISDEV); and fifthly, the 4th International Workshop on Islamic-Based Development (WAPI4).

Signing of Memorandum of Cooperation by Director of ISDEV Prof Muhammad Syukri Salleh and Rector of UMSU Drs Agussani M.AP. For the last four years, ISDEV and UMSU have been cooperating annually in various activities, especially in the organisations of international conferences, public academic lectures, pursuance of graduate studies and appointment of Visiting Professorship.

ISDEV fraternity at the International Seminar on Islamic Management Applications, 12 March 2011. In this Seminar, ISDEV Director Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh, ISDEV Deputy Director Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad, and ISDEV Management Committee Member Dr Zakaria Bahari presented their respective papers related to Islamic management. Other presenters were Affandy of UMSU, Delyuzar Syamsi of Bank Muamalat Jakarta, and Professor H.M.S. Idrus of the University of Brawijaya, Malang.

Parts of the participants of the Seminar

A dinner hosted by ISDEV PhD candidate in Medan, Ali Mukti. It seems to be a tradition that lunches and dinners were hosted by members of ISDEV Graduate Students Association in Medan. Amongst them this time were Hasrita, followed by Datuk Chairil Anwar, Azuar, Heri Kusmanto, Kasyful Mahalli, and Suhrawardi Lubis.

As usual, listening to tazkirah after fajr congregational prayer at Royal Perintis Hotel, ISDEV accommodation in Medan.

ISDEV Alumni Dr Sukiman of Medan Institut Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN) delivering a lecture in the bus, during the journey to Lake Toba, Prapat. Dr Sukiman has just completed a draft of his book entitled Islamic Education Model - A Learning Experience at ISDEV, Universiti Sains Malaysia, expected to be published this year.

An ad hoc `nashid concert' by Anwar Rosli (left) and Mohd Syakir (right) after a dinner at Wisma Wisata Bahari, where ISDEV fraternity stayed in Prapat. Also presenting religious songs/poems at this `concert' were Dr Sukiman, Datuk Chairil Anwar, Ridzuan and Muhammad Taha Omar.

ISDEV PhD candidate from Aceh, Ridzuan, presenting a song entitled Tuhan (God), in the bus during the journey back to Medan from Lake Toba.

The Journal of Islamic Development Politics (JISDEV) that has been launched by ISDEV Director Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh at the 4th International Workshop on Islamic-Based Development (WAPI4) on 15 March 2011. JISDEV is co-published by ISDEV, the Graduate Programme of Universitas Medan Area and the Centre for Islamic Political Development (CISDEV) of Universitas Sumatera Utara. Potential contributors and interested subscribers could get in touch with its Editor-in-Chiefs, Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad at suekainah@yahoo.com or Heri Kusmanto at heri.kusmanto@gmail.com or with its Executive Editor Warjio at mywarjio@yahoo.com

Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh, Dr Zakaria Bahari and Dr Zahri Hamat at the 4th International Workshop on Islamic-Based Development (WAPI4). In this Workshop, Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh delivered a keynote address on The Direction of Islamic-Based Development: Strengthening Islamic or Conventional Systems, while all other ISDEV fraternity presented their papers, based on their research for Master or Doctoral degrees, totalling nearly 40 papers altogether

A NAS A WEEK - 16 RABI' AL-THANI 1432H

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) said, "Allah said, 'I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine. And the most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (praying or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him, so I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks My protection (Refuge), I will protect him; (i.e. give him My Refuge) and I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer, for he hates death, and I hate to disappoint him." [Hadith from the Translation of Sahih Muslim,Volume 8, Book 76: To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq), Number 509].

ANOTHER ISDEV TRIP ABROAD

A total of 43 ISDEV fraternity, consisting of lecturers, post-doctoral fellow and graduate students are set to fly to Medan, Indonesia on Friday 11 March 2011. The missions abroad this time are to participate in two international seminars co-organised by ISDEV and Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) and embark on an intellectual expedition to Lake Toba (Prapat) organised by ISDEV Graduate Students Association in Medan. All the activities take 7 days, necessitating them to be in Indonesia until 17 March.

Backdrop of the 2010 International Seminar on The Dakwah Role of Higher Learning Institutions: Model, Application and Prospects

The first International Seminar to be held on 12 March at UMSU is on Islamic Management Application while the second to be held on 15 March at the same venue is on Islamic-Based Development (WAPI-4). A total of 42 papers will be presented by the ISDEV entourage from Penang, apart from by paper presenters from among the members of ISDEV Graduate Students in Medan and other outsiders.

The International Seminars and intellectual expedition are actually ISDEV annual exercises. This year is the fourth year of such an exercise. Photos in this posting are those of the last year's exercise.

ISDEV is praying that its fraternity to Medan this year would benefit the most as the previous years, and more important would be blessed, helped and protected by Allah SWT.

ISDEV fraternity presenting their papers

Parts of the participants of last year's WAPI-3 2010

As usual, congregational prayer wherever they are

2010 Intellectual expedition to Samosi Island, Prapat

A NAS A WEEK - 2 RABI'UL AKHIR 1432

So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are (true) believers [Aali'Imraan, 3: 139].

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

A NAS A WEEK - 25 RABI'UL AWWAL 1431H

Khaula bint Hakim Sulamiyya reported: I heard Allah's Messenger (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) as saying: When anyone lands at a place, and then says:" I seek refuge in the Perfect Word of Allah from the evil of what He has created," nothing would harm him until he marches from that stopping place [Hadith from Sahih Muslim, Book 035: The Book Pertaining to the Remembrance of Allah, Supplication, Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness (Kitab Al-Dhikr) , Hadith Number 6541].

RADIEAH WON TAN SRI MUHYIDDIN MOHD YASSIN BEST MASTER THESIS AWARD 2010

Radieah with her Award

In an awarding ceremony held at Prince & Residence Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on 21 February 2011, ISDEV Master Mixed Mode 2008 student, Radieah binti Mohd Noor was announced as the winner of the annual national Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin Best Master Thesis Award 2010.

Based on an assessment on her thesis entitled Principles of Islamic-based Development in Ibn Khaldun's Mukadimah, the Award consists of a gold medal, cash and certificate totalling RM10,000.00 altogether. The Award was delivered at the ceremony by Deputy Prime Minister YAB Tan Sri Dato' Haji Muhyiddin Haji Mohd Yassin himself.

Another ISDEV Master Mixed Mode 2008 student, Zaleha Embong has also won an Excellent Master Thesis Prize. Her thesis was on the analysis of Nik Abdul Aziz's Thought on Spiritual Development.

Radieah with her supervisor Prof Muhammad Syukri Salleh (left) and her husband (right)

Zaleha Embong (2nd left) at the Awarding ceremony

In the 2010 exercise, a total of 38 nominations consisting of 24 PhD and 14 Master theses on Islam submitted by Malaysians to universities worldwide have been assessed. The Best PhD Thesis Award has been won by Dr Munif Zarirrudin Fikri Nordin of Universiti Utara Malaysia, with his thesis entitled Bahasa Kepimpinan Rasulullah SAW: Analisis Wacana Khutbag Ghazawat al-Rasul, submitted to the University of Malaya.

A NAS A WEEK - 11 RABI'UL AWWAL 1432H

And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion [al-Talaaq, 65:3].

PHD STUDENT MUHAMMAD TAHIR NOMINATED FOR BEST THESIS AWARD

Muhammad Tahir (sitting, 2nd left) with members of the Board of Examiners

Another ISDEV PhD student, Muhammad Tahir, has successfully passed his PhD with flying colours. He has been suggested by all his three thesis examiners, external and internal, to be nominated for USM Best Thesis Award (Pure Arts) 2011. This was decided at the end of his viva voce held on Thursday 10th February 2011. The title of his thesis is The Methods and Practice of Tazkiyyah An-Nafs in Islamic-Based Development: A Case Study of Koperasi Pondok Pasentren (KOPENTREN), Darul Tauhiid, Bandung, Indonesia.

Prior to this, in 2008, three ISDEV PhD students, Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad, Dr Zahri Hamat and Dr Nor Azzah Kamri were also nominated by the School of Social Sciences for the same Award. Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad won it and later in 2009, she also won Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin Best PhD Thesis Award. In 2009, another ISDEV PhD student Dr Ahmad Azrin Adnan was also nominated by all his three thesis examiners for the USM Best Thesis Award (Pure Arts). His nomination was postponed to 2011 as he has yet to received his degree in a convocation. However, in the same year, another ISDEV student, Master student Shereeza binti Mohamed Saniff won USM's Persada Kencana Award (the Best Student - Coursework & Mixed Mode).

The nomination of Muhammad Tahir this year would mean a competition with Dr Ahmad Azrin Adnan, another ISDEV Phd student. Whoever wins the Award, however, ISDEV would be equally happy as both of them have been nurtured by ISDEV.

Congratulation Muhammad Tahir and many thanks to all who have contributed to his success, direct or indirectly.

ISDEV brothers wishing Muhammad Tahir good luck after a special solatuhajat held before the viva

ISDEV brothers and sisters expressed their thanks to God after knowing Muhammad Tahir has passed his PhD with flying colurs

Finally, a feast of thanks hosted by ISDEV, held immediately after the viva voce

A NAS A WEEK - 4 RABI'UL AWWAL 1432

Narrated 'Abdullah: I visited the Prophet salallahu'alaihi wassalam during his illness and touched him while he was having a fever. I said to him, "You have a high fever; is it because you will get a double reward?" He said, "Yes. No Muslim is afflicted with any harm, but that his sins will be annulled as the leave of a tree fall down." [Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 70: Patients, Number 565].