OOZING OUT OF ISDEV: THE CALL TO TRAVEL FAR AND WIDE

Taken in Rome - Prof Syukri (centre) with postgraduate
students from Africa and Indonesia (second from left)

7 Oct – The real, actual and absolute knowledge comes from Allah SWT. In fact Allah SWT states in Surah Al-Kahfi, 18:109 and Surah Luqman, 31:27 that even should the seas and the trees (as ink) be dried up and replenished its supply, they would still be exhausted before the Words of Allah SWT would be finished. This was the strong reminder that ISDEV Director, Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh, gave to ISDEV members in the slot known as Tarbiyyah Pengarah ISDEV during the ISDEV Monthly Graduate Supervision. For this month the programme was held at USM’s University Conference Hall on 27 September 2013 at 9:30am.

Prof. Syukri (standing) in a cheerful mood delivering the Tarbiyyah Pengarah ISDEV

Verily in fortifying and increasing one’s knowledge and propagating the call to Islam, a Muslim is very much encouraged to travel (musafir). ISDEV members need to be instilled with the characteristics of a Messenger who goes about on this world and are able to share knowledge; disseminate knowledge and teach as well as lead. In fact engaging in a travel is of no loss as much can be learned and acquired during the whole travelling period especially if the travels entail a long journey. This is the very attitude that ISDEV tries to instil into each and every member of ISDEV besides focusing solely on their studies.

As a recap to-date for this year alone, ISDEV members have travelled to almost all the continents on this planet earth. First Prof Syukri and Dr Zakaria were off to Istanbul, Turkey. Then ISDEV members flew to Medan, Indonesia. Thereafter Puan Khatijah presented her paper in South Korea. A group of 5 RISDEV students went on a teaching spree for two weeks at Ban Nua in Thailand. ISDEV had Dr. Shukri who presented his paper in a closed-invited session at Ankara, Turkey while Prof Syukri and Dr Zakaria were in Tunisia in North Africa. Again Prof Syukri dan Dr. Zakaria travelled to Bangkok to serve as observers at a closed conference there. Then as facilitators, Prof Syukri dan Dr Shukri were off to Brunei. As presenters, both Prof Syukri and Dr Shukri was then to Rome, Italy.

Prof Syukri (left) with a fellow Muslim brother from Bangladesh
who earns his living and resides in Paris

Closer to home, Dr Shukri with two MISDEV’12 students, Nadia and Syamir presented their papers at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Dr Shukri and Puan Khatijah each presented their papers at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) while Dr Zakaria and Dr Zahri went to Kuching to present their papers related to Islam in Borneo. Ustaz Shahir Akram was recently in Terengganu to attend a Seminar on Mantiq at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA).

A small section of the well attended ISDEV Monthly Graduate Supervision
held at DPU

There are still more travels to come before 2013 close for the year. ISDEV Alumni member, Dr Wajio went to Vietnam and later will be flying off to Doha. Thereafter it will be Germany for him and Dr. Heri Kusmanto, another ISDEV alumni. In the meantime Dr Zaini, Dr Zahri and Ustaz Shahir Akram are set to go to Paris in December.

Prof. Syukri reiterated that Muslims in Malaysia, have their strengths and advantages especially abroad. On the whole Muslims are thought off highly due to their high degree of good and noble attitude. As long as ISDEV members carry the image of Islam in their travels, help and assistance is usually only an arm’s length away. Besides gaining new knowledge, these travels could also infuse the spirit of bravery and self-confidence and heavy reliance on Allah SWT as one is far from home and loved ones. Reliance is only to Allah SWT. In meeting this challenge, Prof. Syukri affirmed that ISDEV is dedicated to train and equip its members by organizing a series of conferences, local and abroad, of international standing annually.

A Summary of the Annual Series of Training provided by ISDEV

Hence ISDEV members are encouraged to travel far, wide and beyond as Allah SWT has made this earth expansive indeed and there is knowledge awaiting to be discovered. Thus overcome fear of travel and inculcate the courage to travel alone because the benefits that can be derived is not only to one’s self but to Islam as well.

Dr Fadzila Azni sharing her "Tips on Starting Your Thesis Writing" 

The Monthly Graduate Supervision then continues with a lecture given by Dr. Fadzila Azni Ahmad. Her topic was on “Tips on Starting Your Thesis Writing” which gave some useful pointers to ISDEV students who are still meandering on their written dissertation or thesis.