ISDEV DISCOURSE: FADZILAH AKMAL YOU CAN PROCEED!

Fadzilah Akmal defends her PhD research proposal.

"Fadzilah Akmal you can proceed" was the delightful news that Fadzilah Akmal Hj Ali, a RISDEV (ISDEV Postgraduate by Research) student received from Dr. Zakaria Bahari, evaluator of her PhD thesis proposal. Fadzilah defended her research proposal on ‘An Exploratory Study in Constructing Islamic-Lifestyle Segmentation (ILS) for Muslim Tourists'. Her main supervisor is Dr. Fadzila Azni Ahmad while Dr. Wan Norhaniza Wan Hasan acted as a co-supervisor.

Dr. Zakaria shares his opinion and comments on Fadzilah's PhD research proposal.

The PhD proposal presentation was held on Thursday 23 April, 2015 at C05, ISDEV. Fadzilah tried her best to explain the details of the contents of her research proposal as a number of questions from the lecturers and fellow postgraduate students were directed to her. After quite a long and detailed evaluation, she received the good news that her research has been given the endorsement to proceed with the PhD thesis proper under the supervision of her respective supervisors. Heartiest Congratulations!

The usual compact scene at C05 - a venue that has proven to be far too small a space for the growing ISDEV fraternity.

A NAS A WEEK - 9 RAJAB 1436

And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees [of rank] that He may try you through what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful [al-An'aam, 6:165].

GRADUATE ASSISTANT SCHEME 2015 IS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATION!

An opportunity has availed itself to all  RISDEV (ISDEV Postgraduate  by research) students who are currently pursuing their studies without any form of financial assistance. The Institute of Postgraduate Studies is now inviting all USM full time postgraduate students by research to apply for the Graduate Assistant Scheme.

Kindly download the application form via http://www.ips.usm.my/index.php/news/160 and submit your application to ISDEV office before the closing date 29 April, 2015.

IT'S NOW OPEN: APPLICATION FOR MASTER IN ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT!

The application for Master in Islamic Development Management (Mixed Mode) offered by the Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV), Universiti Sains Malaysia is now open. This programme requires students to register for only four courses along with a 25,000 word written dissertation. The duration of the programme is for 3 semesters.

Among the pioneering batch of Master in Islamic Development Management who obtained their PhD degrees last year
with the Vice Chancellor of USM, Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman (3rd from left) and
ISDEV Director, Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh (3rd from the right).

Application is now open for both Academic Sessions. For the Academic Session 2015/2016 Semester I intake (Recruitment September 2015) application is now open from 5 March until 15 June 2015 while for the Academic Session 2015/2016 Semester II intake (Recruitment February 2016) application is also open from 5 March but ends on 15 October 2015.

Various prestigious awards won by ISDEV students.

Be part of an academic centre that thrives for excellence with a commitment that all  is done is for the sake of glorifying Islam. Since the establishment of ISDEV, various accolades, both at national and international levels, have been won by the students registered under this course. These are proofs of a winning formula that works time and time again. A holistic development and enrichment experience awaits you as a member of the esteemed Research Centre of Excellence - ISDEV. 

Harnessing the researcher in you - ISDEV students participate in the various conferences organised by ISDEV.

By using the principle of "Learning from Heart to Heart", students certainly will be guided personally by lecturers who are committed in fulfilling their duties. Various programmes have been set up specifically for students and successfully implemented such as Tuesdays Weekly Lecture, ISDEV Discourse Series, Monthly Supervisions, locally organized conferences and abroad as well as various social activities.

Part of the international exposure -ISDEV students take part in WAPI (an annual conference held in Medan, Indonesia).

As an ISDEV student you will have the opportunity to present your research papers at numerous annual conferences organized within and outside the country such as in Indonesia. There is a conference held annually with the cooperation and collaboration of the local universities there. You will also have the chance to organize the A to Z of a international-standing programme while visiting the Muslim community in Ban Nua, Thailand. This is one of the programmes which puts your leadership skills and team work spirit to the test.

Some of the activities held during the Ban Nua Community Programme and the Kem Pembangunan Insaniah. 

So do not hesitate, procrastinate and waste your time away by letting this opportunity idly pass by you. Be part of a holistic education that develops both your spiritual and intellectual acumen. Do visit the website at www.ips.usm.my to submit your on-line application today. Any further information related to this course can be obtained through the website http://isdev-misdev.blogspot.com.

A NAS A WEEK - 1 RAJAB 1436

Usamah ibn Zaid reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, I do not see you fasting any month as much as you fast during Sha’ban.” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “It is a month people neglect between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which the deeds are raised to the Lord of the worlds and I like for my deeds to be raised while I am fasting.” [Source: Sunan An-Nasa’i: 2357, Grade: Hasan (fair) according to Al-Mundhiri].

ANOTHER 3 RISDEV STUDENTS MAKE THE CUT

On the blessed Friday morning of 3 April 2015, two RISDEV (ISDEV Postgraduate by Research) students presented their PhD thesis proposal while another RISDEV student presented his final draft of the PhD thesis. More than 50 ISDEV members attended the ISDEV Graduate Discourse programme that day, held at the Conference Room of C06, School of Social Sciences.

The three RISDEV students were each given 30 minutes to present their PhD thesis proposal and final draft. The first in the line-up was Musmuliadi Kamaruding who preresented on ‘Pengurusan Kepadatan Manusia: Kajian Kes Konsep Pengurusan Lembaga Tabung Haji Malaysia (LTHM) di Mekah’,(Management of Mass Human Crowds: Case Study on the Concept of Management of Lembaga Tabung Haji (LTHM) in Mecca". He is directly supervised by ISDEV Director Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh. 

Musmuliadi Kamaruding during his presentation.

The second RISDEV student to present that day was Mohd Saharudin Shakrani. He had presented his PhD thesis proposal sometime in September 2011 and finally amidst some health challenges that he managed to overcome, he was able to present his final draft on “Penilaian Prestasi Sekuriti Patuh Syariah Terpilih Menggunakan Model Kemeruapan Bersyarat Perletakan Harga Aset Modal Islam’. (Performance Evaluation of Shariah-compliant Selected Securities using Conditional Volatility Model of Islamic Capital Asset Pricing). His main supervisor is Dr. Zakaria Bahari while Dr. Zahri Hamat served as his co-supervisor.

Mohd Saharudin Shakrani stressing a point to the evaluator.

The final RISDEV student to present that day was Nor Hatizal Amarul Shah. As with Musmuliadi, she too presented her PhD thesis proposal. Her research is on ‘Faktor-faktor yang Menentukan Pemilihan Pembiayaan Perumahan Musyarakah Mutanaqisah (MM) dalam Kalangan Pelanggan Perbankan Islam di Pulau Pinang’ (Factors that Determine Selection of Musharaka Mutanaqisah (MM) House Financing among Islamic Banking Customers in Pulau Pinang). She is currently pursuing her PhD under the supervision of her main supervisor Dr. Zakaria Bahari. 

Nor Hatizal Amarul Shah - the third candidate with her main supervisor Dr Zakaria.

All three RISDEV students proved to be resilient and defended their research proposals or findings with much commitment and fervour. They tried their best to explain in detail the contents of their theses. Scores of questions to them ensued their presentations which included questions fielded by ISDEV Director, Prof. Muhammad Syukri Salleh, ISDEV lecturers as well as other ISDEV students. 

A very good turn out for the ISDEV Graduate Discourse at C06.

After a detailed evaluation and comments given by ISDEV lecturers, all of them finally received the good news that they could proceed to the next stage of their PhD theses with modifications to be carried out based on the feedback given by the evaluators of the day Dr Wan Norhaniza Wan Hasan, Dr. Nor Asmat Ismail and Dr. Fadzila Azni Ahmad.

They were elated with joy upon hearing that they had been given the endorsement to submit his PhD Thesis proper for Mohd Saharudin, while for Musmiliadi and Nor Hatizal, to proceed with their PhD theses proper. All the candidates expressed their gratitude to Allah SWT and to their respective supervisors and co-supervisors for the guidance in helping them write their PhD thesis.

ISDEV MEMBERS PARTICIPATED THE 3rd IISC

The three ISDEV representatives - (from right to left) Dr. Mohd Syakir, Dr. Shahir Akram and Prof. Syukri Salleh.

The 3rd International Islamic Studies Conference (IISC) on "Islamic Values in a Changing World" was held from March 23- 25, 2015. The conference was organized by the Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus, Thailand.

Islamic leaders and academicians from over 30 countries worldwide participated in this prestigious conference including three members from the Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). ISDEV Director, Prof. Muhammad Syukri Salleh, Dr. Mohd Syakir Mohd Rosdi and Dr. Shahir Akram Hassan were the three privileged members of ISDEV who attended and participated at the IISC.

ISDEV Director, Prof Syukri, diligently filling up the  necessary papers during the conference's registration.

  

Located at the College of Islamic Studies, all participants who had gathered were then divided into seven parallel sessions for the two-days conference. ISDEV Director, presented his paper on Contemporary Islamic Values Revisited on the first day of the conference .

Prof. Syukri talked on Contemporary Islamic Values Revisted.

In his presentation, Prof. Syukri explained that his paper focused on the present usage of contemporary Islamic values that seemed to have followed the needs and trends of the changing world. In addition the shift seems to be inclined towards worldly pursuit rather than the pursuit for the Hereafter. According to him there were four factors that are attributable to the shaping of the contemporary Islamic values. They are the intentional or unintentional efforts of firstly universalizing, secondly realigning, thirdly accommodating, and fourthly ‘scientificing’ the Islamic values. According to Prof. Syukri, if this form of Islamic values were to be adopted in developing guidelines for a meaningful peace and harmony amongst various civilizations and mankind, it may mean an effort that was based on an in comprehensive meaning of Islamic values, leading to an imprecise diagnose and prescription of the problems of civilization. 

Dr. Mohd Syakir (right) and Dr. Shahir Akram (second from left) presented their papers on the second day.

Dr. Mohd Syakir Mohd Rosdi and Dr. Syahir Akram took their turn to present the papers on the second day of the conference. Dr. Mohd Syakir talked on The Values of Tahaluf Siyasi in Political Unity. He stressed on political coalition in the form of Tahaluf Siyasi (TS) that is practiced by some political parties in Malaysia. To him, TS referred a collaborative effort between two or more parties to achieve the same objective as long as it does not violate the tenets of Islam. Besides TS, the term Unity Government (UG) had also appeared as well as political consensus between the opposition party and the party in government. According to him, there are eight TS values that can lead to political unification. First, integration and cooperation; Second, prioritizing the truth; Third, peace; Fourth, fidelity; Fifth, sincerity; Sixth, brotherhood; Seventh, always ready: and the Eighth, the not to be easily manipulated by the enemy.

Group photo session with other participants from the region.

Meanwhile, Dr. Shahir Akram Hassan presented on The Use of Logic in Contemporary Islamic Discourse. According to him there is a dire need to rationally engage and logically address the controversies that challenge the sanctity of Islam - an ubiquitous feature of contemporary times. However, the current approach of totally relying on Logic as a tool to elucidate the problems and controversies besetting the Ummah is replete with numerous shortcomings as evidenced by the advent of deviationist ideologies detrimental to Islam such as pluralism, liberalism, and feminism. Thus Dr. Shahir sought to examine the nature of Logic within Islamic Discourse and how it is applied to not only portray Islam but to also delineate and clarify its adequacy in addressing contemporary issues and controversies bedeviling the Ummah. Thus he recommended that the application of logic in contemporary Islamic Discourse should be premised upon a hybrid approach that draws its synergy from the revelation-based approach but manifests itself via aql-based arguments whilst simultaneously complying with four basic rules i.e., possessing a clear Islamic epistemology and tasawwur, utilizing Islamic reasoning approaches, strengthening the Islamic framework and finally, emphasizing the means aspect of Western Logic rather than its end.

Dr. Mohd Syakir received a flower from one his fans during his performance.

Apart from main objective which is to present their working papers in the conference, ISDEV delegates also had the chance to mingle around with others participants. In fact Dr. Mohd Syakir received a special request by a participant during the reception dinner to perform a nasyeed. He even received a token from one of  his fans and positive responses from the audiences who were mesmerized by his performance.

Cruising and having dinner on Chao Phraya River (R) and 
Posing in front of a banner as the backdrop at the Islam Sri Ayutthaya Foundation School (L).

As part of the IISC itinerary, participants were given the opportunity to be flown to Bangkok and Ayutthaya to visit some tourist attraction places such as cruising in Chao Phraya River, Islam Sri Ayutthaya Foundation School - the eldest Islamic School in Bangkok, the Majlis Ugama Islam Wilayah Ayutthaya as well as Islamic villages in both areas.

A NAS A WEEK - 24 JUMADA AL-AKHIR 1436

Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is (rightly) guided [al-Nahl, 16:125].

ANOTHER ARTICLE BY DR MOHD SHUKRI PUBLISHED

A new article by ISDEV Senior Lecturer, Dr. Mohd Shukri Hanapi has been published recently. He co-authored the article with Mohd Syahmir Alias, a RISDEV (ISDEV Postgraduate by research) student.

The article appears in the International Journal of Humanities, Business and Technology (IJBHT), Vol. 5, No. 1. February, ISSN 2162-1357 (Print), 2162-1381 (Online), Centre for Promoting Ideas (CPI), USA. For direct access to the article, please click the following link:-

Mohd Syahmir Alias & Mohd Shukri Hanapi (2015). Ibn Al-Haytham’s Philosophy on Scientific Research Applied in Islamic Research Methodology: Analysis from Tasawwur, Epistemology and Ontology Perspectives. International Journal of Humanities, Business and Technology, 5(1), 83 – 93.

UPCOMING WAPI-8 IN JUNE 2015: 4 IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE

The 8th Workshop Antrabangsa Pembangunan Berteraskan Islam (WAPI-8) will be held on 10 until 14 June 2015 at Universitas Muhammadiyyah Sumatra Utara (UMSU), Medan, Indonesia. This workshop is compulsory to all RISDEV and MISDEV students to participate. As such all ISDEV students are required to take note and immediate action to the following :-

1) Flight Ticket

2)Expenses including lodging, meals and transportation in Medan

3)The authorization abroad form

4) Working papers

1) Flight Ticket

Please be informed that to date, the price of return flight tickets (PEN-MED-PEN) is around RM300.00. However the ticket prices might change from time to time. So students are encouraged to book their flight tickets immediately before the price increases.

In facilitating bookings of flight tickets, kindly give the details needed such as full name (as stated in passport), IC Number, passport number and sum of RM390.44  before 15 April 2015. Payment can be made via online transfer or by cash to the person in charge, Noor Husna Badri. She can be reached at cahayakebaikan@gmail.com or 017- 4403660.

2) Expenses including lodging, meals and transportation

All expenses stated is prescribed by the organiser. Thus students will be informed about the matters as soon as the organiser has decided on the total amount of the expenses.

3) The authorization abroad form

This form must be filled and sent to the person in charge, Noor Husna Mohd Shafie of MISDEV'14. The form can be download through ISDEV official website at http://isdev.usm.my/index.php/publications/downloads by clicking file  'kebenaran TNC'.

4) Working papers

As the workshop is compulsory for all ISDEV students to participate, the working papers are required to be submitted before 15 May, 2015. Prior to submission of the working papers, the corresponding abstracts and the ensuing working papers must first received the approval of each and every student's supervisors. The relevant dates to take note of are:-

1) Abstract submission deadline          : 15 April 2015

2) Full papers submission deadline     : 15 May  2015

Abstracts and papers are to be submitted to Puan Azrin Ibrahim through her email at azrinibrahim.usm@gmail.com

Any updates on WAPI-8 will be informed from time to time. To those who are also keen to join this workshop, your participation is most welcome. Should you be interested to participate in WAPI-8 but not a member of ISDEV, please feel free to contact Pak Irfan directly in UMSU at his mobile number, +62 812 657 2582 or via email at irfanumsu@gmail.com.

A NAS A WEEK - 16 JUMADA AL-AKHIR 1436

Ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, never forgot to say these supplications whenever he entered morning and evening, “O Allah, I ask you for welfare in this world and in the Hereafter. O Allah, I ask you for pardon and welfare in my religion and in my worldly affairs, in my family and in my property. O Allah, cover my faults and protect me from what I fear. O Allah, guard me from the front and the back, from the right and the left, and from above. I seek refuge in your greatness from catastrophe below me.” [Source: Sunan Abu Dawud 5074; Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to An-Nawawi].

OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT PAPERS AT BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

Conference's brochure - click http://isdev.usm.my/index.php/publications/downloads , choose  file
 'CALL FOR PAPERS- BRUNEI DARUSSALAM for clearer view.

A great opportunity has presented itself for anyone who is keen to participate in an academic seminar abroad. This time in the form of paper presentation in Brunei Darussalam.

Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) in Brunei Darussalam through its Faculty of Usuluddin is organising a Regional Conference on "Contribution of Asha'irah and Maturidiyyah Towards Strengthening Islamic Faith" on 19 and 20 August 2015.

UNISSA has extended the invitation to anyone who is interested to contribute their thoughts and writings on scholars of Asha'irah and Maturidiyyah who are known as the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jama'ah. If you are keen to contribute papers and participate in the conference, kindly contact the organizer directly as appended in the information below:-


Secretariat

Regional Conference on Contribution of Asha'irah and Maturidiyyah:
Towards Strengthening Islamic Faith
Faculty of Usuluddin
Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University
Brunei Darussalam
Tel : +673 2462248
Fax : 672 2462233
Email : seminar.usul@gmail.com
Website: http//www.unissa.edu.bn
Facebook: Faculty of Usuluddin

ISDEV HONORARY FELLOW: TUAN HAJI BUJANG IN MEMORY

In memory - Hj Bujang (R) with ISDEV Leadership and two of his fellow countrymen (L).

ISDEV Honorary Fellow from Brunei Darussalam, Tuan Hj Bujang Hj Masu’ut passed away early morning of 24 March 2015 at the age of 64 following complications from a stroke.

A long-time resident of Seria, Hj Bujang was born on February 3, 1951, and was active in community affairs throughout his life, eventually serving as an adviser to the Mukim Lumut Consultative Council until the time of his death.

He began his career as an education officer at Muhammad Alam Primary School, and went on to become principal of two prominent colleges – Anthony Abell College in Seria and Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College (Maktab Duli) in Bandar Seri Begawan. Thus, he is fondly remembered as “Cikgu” by many.

He was also appointed as an education attache’ at the Brunei High Commission in London, UK from 1990 to 1993, before taking up a position as Deputy Director of Schools (Secondary Section).

Before retiring from public service, Hj Bujang served as Director of the Information Department for several years.

Following his long and storied career in public service, Hj Bujang joined The Brunei Times in 2007 and served as Group Editor-in-Chief to lead the paper during its days as a fledgling broadsheet to become one of the leading dailies in the country.

One of ISDEV coverage in The Brunei Times.

Meanwhile, appointed as ISDEV Honorary Fellow in 2014, he gave his full effort and utmost commitment in helping ISDEV to come closer to the reality of building its own waqf-based  ISDEV Complex. In addition, Allahyarham was one who had a very tight and hectic schedule yet one who tirelessly made the effort to spend as much time as possible with USM and ISDEV members whenever they were in Brunei. He took special interest and ensured that coverage was done on USM and ISDEV activities for the Brunei Times each and every time USM and ISDEV members were involved in the academic activities whilst in Brunei Darussalam.

Private dinner during ISDEV members visit to Brunei recently. Tuan Haji Bujang is on the left.

In addition, he  always ensured that USM and ISDEV members, as guests of his beloved country, Brunei Darussalam, received excellent hospitality and service while ensuring the comfort of USM and ISDEV members throughout their stay in his homeland. Indeed, his efforts and kindness in helping USM and ISDEV achieve its goals is truly and greatly appreciated and will of course be affectionately and fondly etched in the hearts of all USM and ISDEV members.

The late Tuan Haji Bujang,  is survived by his wife, Hjh Aming Hj Wasli and five children one of whom is, Siti Es Husnina who is MISDEV'13 (ISDEV Postgraduate by Mixed-Mode) student. He was laid to rest at the Kg Sengkarai cemetery, Tutong.

Appended below are some of the excerpts of condolence messages from USM's top-management conveyed through WhatsApp.

Al-Fatihah.