ISDEV IN THE MAKINGS OF 'ULUL-ALBAB'

(seated from left to right) Distinguished Prof. Tan Sri Dr Mohd Kamal Hassan,
Prof. Muhamad Jantan (Deputy Vice-Chancellor) and Prof. Syukri Salleh (ISDEV Director)

The term 'Ulul al- Baab' is derived from the verses in the Quran. There are 16 different instances where the term is used in the Quran. Ulul al-Baab in its literal sense means 'the members of the door' but in its Quranic terminology brings forth the meaning that a group of people who have understanding about their creation and that they are in a constant state of remembrence to  Allah SWT. It is said that these characteristics could be present in each and every ISDEV member especially ISDEV students. Thus it is not an impossibility that ISDEV has the ability to give birth to this group of Ulul al-Baab.

Prof. Tan Sri Mohd Kamal delivering his lecture

This is the view expressed by YBhg. Distinguished Professor Tan Sri Dr. Mohd. Kamal Hassan during a closed-door meeting-cum-discussion session with ISDEV fraternity held in the afternoon of 21 October 2013 at the University Conference Hall (DPU), USM. During this session, students were given the opportunity to interact and discuss openly on identifying these Ulul al-Baab, the challenges and opportunity for the Ulul al-Baab as well as the criteria needed in achieving the status of Ulul al-Baab.

The audience at DPU were all eyes and ears in giving their full attention to the lecture

Prior to the closed-door session, the morning session saw Distinguished Professor Tan Sri Dr. Mohd. Kamal Hassan delivering a lecture in conjunction with the 9th ISDEV Lecture Series on 'The Heart of the Problems vis-a-vis the Problems of the Heart' to a full-house audience. His detailed lecture started with an introduction on the global ethical crisis of liberal democracy and how the scholars and intellectuals perceive the malady that is befalling mankind. Professor Mohd. Kamal then examined how major world religions view the importance and role of the spiritual heart before finally discussing the spiritual heart from the perspective of the Quran.

A moment to cherish - group photo with Prof. Tan Sri Mohd Kamal Hassan

Professor Mohd. Kamal's next series of lecture, as a continuation to the recent lecture, has been planned to take place in February 2014. Professor Mohd. Kamal is now ISDEV's Eminent Visiting Professor, appointed by USM for a duration of one year, beginning 21 October 2013 till 20 October 2014.