ISDEV GRADUATE DISCOURSE - PHD PROPOSAL DEFENSE BY SURAYA ISMAIL AND MOHAMAD HILMI HIDHIR

9 Feb - With the time allotted for 30 minutes each, two ISDEV PhD candidates, Suraya Ismail and Mohamad Hilmi Hidhir took the opportunity wisely to present their Phd research proposal in front of more than 50 attendees consisting of ISDEV lecturers and postgraduate students at the Conference Room, C06, School of Social Sciences.

The first candidate, Suraya Ismail presented her proposal on 'The Thinking of Shari'ah Advisor Council in Malaysia and Its Implications on the Construction of Islamic Bank's Products", while the second candidate, Mohamad Hilmi Hidthir presented his proposal on 'The Macroeconomic Condition and Debt Financing Mode: An Empirical Analysis of Financing Risk, Liquidity Risk, and Financial Stability on Islamic Banks in Malaysia".

Suraya Ismail (above) and Mohamad Hilmi Hidthir (below) listening to questions fielded to them

During the presentations, both of them tried their best to explain in detail about their proposals. Scores of questions to them ensued their presentations which included questions fielded by Dr Zakaria Bahari as the assessor of Suraya's PhD research proposal and Dr Tajul Arifin Masron as the assessor of Hilmi's PhD research proposal.

After a detailed evaluation, both Suraya and Hilmi finally received the good news that their PhD research proposal were accepted. They have been given the endorsement to proceed with their thesis proper, under the supervision of Prof Muhammad Syukri Salleh and Dr Zakaria Bahari respectively.

Dr Tajul Arifin Masron commenting on Hilmi's proposal

Parts of the ISDEV graduate students attending the proposal defense

TUESDAY STUDY SESSION--LESSONS FROM A PENCIL

23 Feb - As usual, the Tuesday Study Session this week was divided into two sessions, the Tazkirah and the lecture session.

This week the Tazkirah was delivered by ISDEV ASTS Fellow Ustazah Azrin Ibrahim. She talked about a Pencil. To her, there are 5 types of lessons that can be extracted from a pencil. Firstly, pencil reminds us that we can do great things in this life. But one has to be conscious that there is always a guiding hand in this life. It's Allah SWT. He always guide us according to His will.

Secondly, when sharpened, a pencil could hurt but this is not its aim. Its sharpness is meant to smoothen the writings. In lives, trials and tests certainly make us feel sore and painful. But be
assured that there are wisdoms behind them, at least to make us better than ever.

Thirdly, a pencil always give us the opportunity to capitalize on the eraser, correcting the wrong words. Therefore, eliminate our wrong-doings to get better attitude. Fourthly, the most important parts of a pencil is charcoal in it. Without the charcoal, the pencil is useless. So is a human being. One has to be careful and aware of things inside himself. Fifthly, a pencil can leave an impact and scratches. Analogically, one has to be always careful and aware of every action taken, for they will have an impact.

The second part of the the Study Session was led by Ustaz Syakir. He talked about 'Tawakal'. The question and answer session which ensued was lively as a number of queries were fielded to Ustaz Syakir who had managed to answer them all well.

ISDEV LECTURE SERIES ON CONTEMPORARY ISLAM IN MALAYSIA FOR NORWAY UNIVERSITIES' STUDENTS

2 Feb- 30 undergraduate students from Agder University and Bergen University College, Norway, were at ISDEV to participate in the 4th Annual Lecture Series on Contemporary Islam in Malaysia. They were led by Professor Dr Levi Geir Eidhamar. It was an annual occasion resulting from a signing of an MoU between ISDEV and the Norway Universities four years ago.

This year, Dr Shaikh Abdullah from the School of Distance Education delivered a talk on 'The Use of the Name of Allah SWT' while Associate Professor Dr Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid from the same School delivered a talk on 'Bumiputera Policies in Malaysia'. Dr Zakaria Bahari from ISDEV serves as the chairman of the program.

Back row from left: Dr Zakaria Bahari, Dr Shaikh Abdullah and Associate Professor Dr Ahmad Fauzi

Second from left: Professor Dr Levi Geir Eidhamar

The talk in progress

A NAS A WEEK - 3 JUMADIL AWWAL 1433

(He) who created death and life to test you (as to) which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving [al-Mulk, 67:2].

SUHRAWARDI PASSED HIS PHD WITH DISTINCTION

Suhrawardi (sitting, right) with the Board of Examiners after the viva

18 Jan 2012 - Being hard working and without feeling tired in the pursuit of knowledge, Saudara Suhrawardi is now able to smile because he finally will get the title of Doctor of Philosophy.

Suhrawardi defending his thesis, observed by Dr Zahri Hamat, one of the internal examiners

Located at the Institute of Post Graduate Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, almost 50 people from ISDEV consisting of lecturers and students came to support and give full encouragement to the candidate as early as 8.30 am. Before that, solat-ul-hajat as usual was observed by ISDEV's male members at Al Malik Khalid Mosque, USM.

The solat-ul-hajat led by Dr Sukiman from Institut Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN) Medan

At 9.30am sharp, the viva began. Even though not all ISDEV members could be in the viva room for the lack of space, prayers and support from all of them have never broken even by just watching on the television screen provided at the viva lounge.

The viva in progress: The Board of Examiners listening to the comments from external examiner Professor Dato' Dr Hailani Muji Tahir from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia through tele conferencing

With the presence of his beloved wife who consistently gave her support, Suhrawardi enthusiastically defended his thesis entitled "Cash Waqf of Muhammadiyah of North Sumatera: A Study of Law and Potentials" (Wakaf Tunai Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara: Kajian Hukum dan Potensi). He was supervised by ISDEV Director Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh and Dr Zakaria Bahari. At the end of the viva voce, the Board of Examiners agreed to pass Suhrawardi with distinction and his thesis be nominated for a Best Thesis Award.

Suhrawardi's wife, Ibu Latifah, congratulating him

A thanksgiving ceremony was held after the viva.

Happy faces of Suhrawardi's friends

A high-tea, to celebrate Suhrawardi's success

A NAS A WEEK - 27 RABI'UL TSANNI 1433

Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that A'isha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say, "If someone fears that he will sleep through till the morning, let him pray the witr before he sleeps, and if some one hopes to wake for the last part of the night, let him delay his witr." [Hadith from Translation of Malik's Muwatta', Book 7: Tahajjud, Hadith Number 7.3.18].

HISBAH AND THE DEFECT OF MAINSTREAM ISLAMIC ECONOMICS

Milenia Muslim March issue publishes two articles (in Malay) by two ISDEV members. The first article is on Hisbah by ISDEV ASTS Fellow Azrin Ibrahim, while the second on the defect of mainstream Islamic economics by ISDEV Director Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh.

Azrin deliberates the ability of Hisbah in diagnosing the problems and prescribing the solutions to socio-economic and political chaos, while Professor Muhammad Syukri highlights the first defect of mainstream Islamic economics relating to its mould. The latter has mentioned seven defects of mainstream Islamic economics altogether, the six of which will be subsequently appear in the coming issues of Milenia Muslim as a series, InshaAllah.

THE FIRST DBP-ISDEV BOOK WRITING WORKSHOP

The participants-cum-authors at the workshop

8 Feb - Located at Social Sciences Conference Room, a Book Writing Workshop organized by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) in collaboration with ISDEV were successfully held. It was part of the endeavours in realising the DBP-ISDEV MoU that has been signed during the Vice-Chancellor's Annual Message on 5th January 2012.

The workshop was led by DBP General Public Book Editor, Tuan Hj Jamaludin Mohd Sulong, assisted by ISDEV Director, Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh. A total of 19 ISDEV authors, consisting of ISDEV lecturers, Fellows of Academic Staff Training Scheme, and PhD students who are writing a total of 20 book manuscripts for the DBP participated in the Workshop.

In this workshop, Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh formally accepted the DBP appointment as the Coordinator of the DBP-ISDEV Book Writing Project.

The 2nd DBP-ISDEV Book Writing Workshop will be held on 7th March 2012.

Professor Syukri accepting the appointment by the DBP as the Coordinator of the DBP-ISDEV Book Writing Project from Tuan Haji Jamaluddin Mohd Sulong

The Workshop in progress

Some of the participants of the Workshop

A NAS A WEEK - 12 RABI'UL TSANNI 1433

And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw (yourselves) with your (own) hands into destruction (by refraining). And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good [al-Baqarah, 2:195].

ISDEV SIGNS MOU WITH DBP TO PUBLISH 20 TITLES OF BOOKS

The signing of the MoU in progress, witnessed by the Penang TYT, Tun Dato' Seri Utama (Dr) Hj Abdul Rahman Hj Abbas

5 Jan 2012 - In conjunction with the Vice Chancellor Annual Message at DTSP USM, Pulau Pinang, a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) and ISDEV was held. The 5-year MoU consists of an agreement between both parties to publish 20 titles of books, of which ISDEV agrees to write/provide the book manuscripts while the DBP agrees to publish them.

The MOU was signed by USM Vice Chancellor Professor Dato' Dr Omar Osman on behalf of ISDEV and the Director of DBP Tarmizi Hj Aziz on behalf of DBP. It was witnessed by Penang TYT Tun Dato' Seri Utama (Dr) Hj Abdul Rahman Hj Abbas.

A word of thanks from the TYT

Some of ISDEV members at the MoU signing ceremony

ISDEV Director Prof Muhammad Syukri Salleh with DBP officers

A NAS A WEEK - 5 RABI'UL TSANNI 1433H

Narrated Abu Umamah The Prophet (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) said: I guarantee a house in the surroundings of Paradise for a man who avoids quarrelling even if he were in the right, a house in the middle of Paradise for a man who avoids lying even if he were joking, and a house in the upper part of Paradise for a man who made his character good [Hadith from the Translation of Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 41: Kitab al-Adab, Hadith Number 4782].

A NAS A WEEK - 20 RABI'UL AWWAL 1433

Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels (ask Him to do so). O you who have believed, ask (Allah to confer) blessing upon him and ask (Allah to grant him) peace [al-Ahzab, 33:56].

ISDEV'S IDEAS IN MILENIA MUSLIM

Ideas of three ISDEV members have appeared in the January 2012 issue of Milenia Muslim. Prof Muhammad Syukri Salleh in his column talked about the implications of halal foods; Dr Zahri Hamat talked about the rate of zakat; and Ustaz Mohd Shukri Hanapi talked about the desire for consumption. Below are the said ideas.

Professor Syukri's article

Dr Zahri's ideas

Ustaz Shukri's article

A NAS A WEEK - 13 RABI'UL AWWAL 1433

Narrated By Abu Huraira : The Prophet said, "Leave me as I leave you for the people who were before you were ruined because of their questions and their differences over their prophets. So, if I forbid you to do something, then keep away from it. And if I order you to do something, then do of it as much as you can." [Hadith from Sahih Bukhari Volume 009, Book 092: Holding Fast to the Qur'an and Sunnah, Hadith Number 391].

KNOWLEDGE BLESSING NIGHT FOR MISDEV10

29 Dis- Three semesters have passed. The 12 Master (Mixed-Mode) students, or popularly known as MISDEV10, have completed their study. For this, a special ceremony known as Knowledge Blessing Night (Malam Restu Ilmu) was held at the Banquet Hall, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.

The Director of ISDEV, Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh in his welcome speech stressed that the main objective of the ceremony was to formally permit all the knowledge poured to the students to be practised, used and disseminated to wider society.

Symbolic gestures then followed. The students came to each lecturers, hugging and shaking hands, asking for forgiveness, blessings and permission to practise, utilise and disseminate the knowledge they got from the lecturers.

It was indeed a sad night, but on the face of each students there was a glimpse of happiness - a happiness that contains hundreds of fond memories.

Congratulations MISDEV10.