ISDEV-UNISSA: ENHANCING TIES THROUGH THE SOCIO-ACADEMIC LABORATORY

The existing positive relationship between the Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) Brunei Darussalam is currently enhanced through a specially designed academic programme called "Program Makmal Sosio-Akademik ISDEV-UNISSA Pertama"  (or MASSA@UNISSA) which began on 27 July 2015.

Standing behind the banner, Prof. Syukri (front row third from left, standing behind the banner)
and Yang Mulia Pehin Orang Kaya Lela Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Awang Abdul Rahman Haji Abdul Karim  (on Prof. Syukri's left) welcoming ISDEV postgraduate students to Brunei Darussalam.

A total of 22 ISDEV postgraduates students consisting of RISDEV (ISDEV Postgraduate by Research) and MISDEV (Postgraduate by Mixed-Mode) students left for Brunei Darussalam on Monday, 27 July 2015, led by ISDEV Senior Lecturer, Dr. Wan Norhaniza Wan Hasan.

A briefing given on the students' accommodation arrangement at UNISSA.

The programme is the first postgraduate programme that collaborates the two highly esteemed universities through a postgraduate academic programme organised by UNISSA with ISDEV postgraduate students as the main participants. The programme is jointly organised by the Faculty of Arabic Language and Islamic Civilization, Centre for Promotion of Knowledge and Language (in which ISDEV Director, Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh is currently the Adjunct Professor) as well as the Centre for Postgraduate Studies and Research of UNISSA.

ISDEV participants will be exposed to a variety of academic and social activities as agreed in the discussions between these two institutions that transpired on 21 May 2015. The programme is to last for one month starting 27 July until 28 August 2015.

The meals throughout the MASSA@UNISSA programme for ISDEV delegates is sponsored by Rizqun International Hotel owned by Yang Mulia Pehin Orang Kaya Lela Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Awang Abdul Rahman Haji Abdul Karim who is also ISDEV Advisory Council Member.

The main objective of the programme is to expose the participants to the Arabic Language via instructions in the form of formal and informal classes. They will also be introduced to the various communities and cultural traditions of Brunei Darussalam.

In addition, the program is also directly intended to strengthen relationships and foster the spirit of mawaddah and mahabbah among ISDEV participants and UNISSA students through mutual participation in religious activities and social activities such as community service, sports and excursions. The programme also hopes to forge strategic alliances and smart partnerships among graduates in academic fields through the organization of colloquium, dialogue, sharing sessions and group assignments.

Just before the official launch of the MASSA@UNISSA programme and poised to rise to the occasion - the smartly and formally dressed ISDEV delegates. Seated on the far right is Dr. Wan Norhaniza, the head of delegation.

It is ardently hoped that ISDEV participants will immensely benefit from this one month long programme while simultaneously seizing all positive opportunities that come their way.

In the meantime, the ISDEV editorial team looks forward to receiving more news and updates from them so that their experiences can be shared with their colleagues back home which will occasionally be highlighted through ISDEV News.

ISDEV DIRECTOR APPOINTED AS ADJUNCT PROFESSOR AT UNISSA

ISDEV Director, Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh recently received an appointment as the Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Arabic Language and Islamic Civilization, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), Brunei Darussalam from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2017. The appointment is for a term of two years.

As the Adjunct Professor, Prof. Syukri will give his contribution whether in the form of ideas, energy and expertise to the development, performance and excellence of the Faculty of Arabic Language and Islamic Civilization of UNISSA.

Fulfilling his duties as an Adjunct Professor - upon arrival at the Brunei  International Airport. Welcoming his arrival is Dr. Siti Sara Hj Ahmad (2nd from left), Dean of the Faculty of Arabic Languages and Islamic Civilization and Dr. Hjh Rasinah Hj Ahim (left), Dean of Centre for Postgraduate Studies and Research of Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA).

Generally an Adjunct Professor is an honorary title accorded to professionals, corporate leaders and others who have expertise and experience in a particular field. They are usually appointed as part-time teaching staff of higher learning institutions. Thus, Prof. Syukri anticipates that with the trust bestowed on him by UNISSA, his visits to UNISSA will be more frequent to carry out his duties as an Adjunct Professor. However, Prof. Syukri is resolute, determined and confident that he will ensure his primary duties as a lecturer and Director of ISDEV at USM are attended to foremost each and every time before he leaves for UNISSA.

For his maiden official visit as an Adjunct Professor at UNISSA, Prof. Syukri was flown to Brunei Darussalam on 26 July 2015. He is there for a week to carry out his duties as Adjunct Professor - the first of which is the welcoming and seeing to the initial needs and welfare of the 22 ISDEV postgraduate students who are there for a whole month on the "Makmal Sosio-Akademik ISDEV-UNISSA Pertama" programme or also known as "MASA@UNISSA".

Prof. Syukri, heartiest congratulations on the much revered appointment!

A NAS A WEEK - 11 SHAWWAL 1436

Uqbah ibn Amr reported: I met the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and he said to me, “O Uqbah ibn Amr, maintain relations with those who cut you off, give to those who deprive you, and pardon those who wrong you.” Later, I met the Messenger of Allah and he said to me, “O Uqbah ibn Amr, control your tongue, weep for your sins, and let your house be sufficient.” Later, I met the Messenger of Allah and he said to me, “O Uqbah ibn Amr, shall I teach you some chapters the like of which have not been revealed in the Torah, nor the Psalms, nor the Gospel, nor the Furqan? Do not let a night go by without reciting them: He is Allah the One (112:1), and: I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak (113:1), and: I seek refuge in the Lord of the people.” (114:1). [Source: Musnad Ahmad 16999; Grade: Hasan (fair) according to Al-Haythami].

TWO VIVA VOCE TOWARDS THE END OF RAMADHAN

Conducting a viva voce in the blessed month of Ramadhan has not marred ISDEV spirit to strive for excellence. Two viva voce were slotted in the last few days of Ramadhan. It is a testimony of ISDEV commitment to excellence regardless of the period and time. The first was held on Monday, 13 July 2015 while the second viva voce was held on Wednesday, 15 July 2015, just two days away from 'Eid al-Fitri.

A rather calm and serene viva voce taking place for Nur Hanani (second from left).

The first viva voce was for RISDEV (ISDEV Posgraduate by Research) student, Nur Hanani Ismail. Alhamdulillah and praise is only to Allah SWT. As ISDEV members and the rest of the Muslim ummah wade through the last ten days of the month of Ramadhan to seek Allah SWT rahmat (love and blessings) Nur Hanani has added the tally to ISDEV records of “Excellent PhD Thesis”. She had successfully defended her PhD thesis on "Kaedah Naqad Al-Hadith Sebagai Kaedah Penentu Kesahan Data bagi Penyelidikan Berkaitan Islam” (The Naqd al-Hadith Method as the Method to Validate Data for Research Related to Islam). Her viva was held on Monday morning at Mc.Clintock Viva Room, Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IPS), USM.

Hanani (centre) listening attentively to the question posed to her by one of the examiners.

Her viva was smooth flowing throughout. She showed her mastery of the subject and research as she was able to answer the questions posed to her rather matter-of-factly yet in the most relaxed mannerism possible exuding her strong grasp of her research throughout the viva. This had surely impressed her examiners. They had unanimously agreed to award her with Grade "1" as well as announced that her PhD thesis deserved a nomination for an "Excellent PhD Thesis" at least at the university's level.

Hanani's Board of  Examiners for her viva voce.

The chairperson for the Board of Examiners was Prof. Dr. Nor Hashimah Hashim from the School of Education, USM. In the meantime, Associate Professor Dr. Engku Ahmad Zaki bin Engku Alwi, Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Contemporary Studies, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) was the external examiner. Two internal examiners consisted of, Dr. Zakaria Bahri and Dr. Zahri Hamat while Dr. Mohd Shukri Hanapi represented ISDEV Director. The examiners were satisfied with both her written thesis and viva voce and had unanimously agreed to award her with Grade 1. It is truly and ardently believed that apart from the efforts of the candidate and all parties involved, the do'a (supplication) from all ISDEV members especially in this blessed month of Ramadhan has added to the blessings of such blissful news.

At the start of Teuku Meldi's viva - providing a 10 minute introduction to what his PhD thesis is all about.

Two days later, ISDEV received another resounding news of a passing Grade 1 for Teuku Meldi's viva voce. Teuku Meldi who presented his final draft PhD Thesis in February 2015, was finally able to sigh a sigh of jubilant gratitude to Allah SWT on 15 July, 2015 after he had successfully and excellently defended his PhD Thesis. While most students were busy with their balik kampung fervour to celebrate the 'Eid festivities, Teuku Meldi's viva voce which was also held at Mc.Clintock Viva Room, IPS, USM it was nonetheless held in the afternoon session. It was just a few hours before the last day of the nawafil tarawikh prayers in the month of Ramadhan for 1436H.

Humbly and patiently Teuku Meldi explains the finer points of his PhD Thesis during his viva voce.

Defending his PhD Thesis on "Kriteria-kriteria Periklanan Dari Perspektif Islam: Analisis Persepsi Pengguna Institusi Perbankan Syariah di Banda Aceh" (Advertising Criteria from the Islamic Perspective: Analysis of Islamic Banking Consumer's Perception in Banda Aceh) he was not slightly perturbed with the frenzy of the last minutes preparations for the upcoming 'Eid. In fact the reverse was true. The fervour and will to excellently defend his PhD thesis was clearly displayed by his mannerism and determination during the viva, coupled with the do'a and backing of friends who stayed behind to support and cheer him on.

Professor Dr. Zulkiple Abd. Ghani

Associate Professor Mohamad Md. Yusoff

Bombarded with questions from his External Examiner, Professor Dr. Zulkiple Abd Ghani, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) who is also attached to the Faculty of Leadership and Management, USIM and two Internal Examiners, Associate Professor Mohamad Md. Yusoff from the School of Communications, USM and Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh from ISDEV, USM did not break his spirit in any way. He remained undaunted and was even able to answer all questions calmly. Finally within less than an hour, his viva voce had come to an end. The examiners unanimously agreed to award him with Grade "1" as well as announced that his PhD thesis deserved a nomination for an "Excellent PhD Thesis" at least at the university's level. 

A thumbs up from one of his internal examiners, Teuku Meldi (seated left) was indeed pleased and much humbled
by the excellent results he received.

The Board of Examiners consisted of the chairperson, Professor Dr. Merza Abbas from the Centre for Instructional and Multimedia (PTPM) USM, Encik Kamarudin Ismail Merican as Secretary and Dr. Mohd Shukri Hanapi served as representative of ISDEV Director. Also in attendance was Dr. Zakaria Bahari, Teuku Meldi’s main supervisor as well as other ISDEV members who never failed to give moral and spiritual support of any viva candidate from ISDEV. Teuku Meldi immediately performed the nawafil sujud syukur (prostration of gratitude) upon hearing his viva results. To him this was indeed the most meaningful 'Eid present for himself, ISDEV lecturers, family and friends at ISDEV.

Congratulations Nur Hanani and Teuku Meldi!

A NAS A WEEK - 4 SHAWWAL 1436H

They said, "Are you indeed Joseph?" He said "I am Joseph, and this is my brother. Allah has certainly favored us. Indeed, he who fears Allah and is patient, then indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good." [Yusuf, 12:90].

GREETINGS FROM THE HEART...SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI!

A NAS A WEEK - 28 RAMADHAN 1436

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would not proceed on the day of Eid until he had eaten some dates [Source: Sahih Bukhari 910; Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Bukhari].

THE FINAL BATCH OF ISDEV-DBP BOOKS

Alhamdulillah...thank you Allah. Finally almost all 15 books written mostly by ISDEV members and published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) are nearing completion. These 15 books are in the list of ISDEV-DBP books publication for the year 2015. Only one more book is left in the pipeline and scheduled to be published very soon.

The attractive book covers for the books written by Razali, Surita Hartini and Abdul Aziz.

This final batch of books include "Wakaf Tunai: Sejarah, Amalan dan Cabaran Masa Kini" (Cash Waqf: History, Practice and Current Challenges) is written by ISDEV Alumni, Dr. Razali Othman while Surita Hartini Mat Hassan, who is also an ISDEV Alumni member has written on "Potensi Dinar Emas dalam Wakaf Tunai" (The Potentials of Gold Dinar in Cash Waqf). In the meantime Associate Professor Dr. Abdul Aziz Hussin (from the School of Housing, Building and Planning, USM) has written on "Pelancong dan Pelancongan Islam" (Islamic Tourists and Tourism) .

The other three books -  all by RISDEV students.

RISDEV (ISDEV Postgraduate by Research) students including Noor Aini Mohd Salleh has written on "Citra Institusi Islam di Malaysia: Tanggapan dan Kefahaman" (The Image of Islamic Institutions in Malaysia: Impression and Understanding). Mohd Syahmir Alias writes on "Ibn Al-Haytham: Pelopor Konsep Penyelidikan Saintifik" (Ibn Haytham: Pioneer of the Scientific Research Concept) while the book on "Pembangunan Insan Berteraskan Islam" (Islamic-based Human Development) is the title of the book written by Abang Mohd. Razif Abang Muis.

To those who are keen to get a copy of at least any one of these books or require further details regarding these books, do visit  http://isdev.usm.my/index.php/book-list or kindly contact Ms. Khairun Adawiyah at  (+6  04 - 653 5812) to place your order.

Below, is the full list of ISDEV-DBP books publications in 2015 for your reference:

1. Pengurusan Kualiti Makanan Halal - Norazilawati Md. Dahlal
2. Kepimpinan dan Kepatuhan dalam Pengurusan Insaniah Berdasarkan Sirah Nabawiyyah -Che Nurmahirah Che Ghaffar
3. Wakaf Tunai: Sejarah, Amalan dan Cabaran Masa Kini- Razali Othman
4. Pengurusan Insan Berteraskan Islam- Lenny Luat
5. Institusi Islam di Malaysia: Misi dan Visi - Farah Farhana Johari
6. Pembangunan Insan Berteraskan Islam- Abang Mohd. Razif Abang Muis
7. Ibn. Haytham: Pelopor Konsep Penyelidikan Saintifik - Mohd Syahmir Alias
8. Citra Institusi Islam di Malaysia: Tanggapan dan Kefahaman- Noor Aini Mohd Salleh
9. Potensi Dinar Emas dalam Wakaf Tunai- Surita Hartini Mat Hassan
10. Pengurusan Organisasi dari Perspektif Islam- Ab.Aziz Yusof
11. Pelancong dan Pelancongan Islam - Abdul Aziz Hussin
12. Potensi Wakaf Pendidikan Tinggi di Malaysia - Ahmad Shaifful Anuar Ahmad Shukor
13. Amalan Hisbah di Malaysia - Azrin Ibrahim
14. Penilaian Prestasi dari Perspektif Islam - Ab. Aziz Yusof
15. Pemikiran Politik Islam: Perbandingan antara Pemikiran Burhanuddin al-Helmi dengan Muhammad Natsir - Dr. Mohamad Muzammil Mohamad Noor (in progress)

ALHAMDULILLAH... FIVE MORE BOOKS BY ISDEV

The close knit collaboration between ISDEV and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) is still continuing with the recent publication of five new books written by ISDEV members.

These books are written by 3 RISDEV (ISDEV Postgraduate by Research) students, Farah Farhana Johari, Lenny Luat and Ahmad Shaifful Anuar Ahmad Shukor. Meanwhile, another two books are written by ISDEV Alumni member, Associate Professor Dr. Ab Aziz Yusof who graduated last April 2015.

The book covers for books written by Farah Farhana and Ahmad Shaifful Anuar.

Farah Farhana's book is on ‘Institusi Islam di Malaysia Visi dan Misi’ (Islamic Institutions in Malaysia: Vision and Mission) while Lenny Luat’s book is on ‘Pengurusan Insan Berteraskan Islam’ (Islamic-based Human Management). One special feature of this book is that it is written by a Non-Muslim student, who had successfully proven that she managed to learn, understand, and embarked on in-depth research pertaining to human management from the Islamic aspects. The end results of this earnest endeavour is the publication of her maiden book.

This proves that ISDEV has an open policy of providing opportunity and space to whoever is interested in learning about Islam regardless of a person's religious status, race or sociological level as Islamic teachings are characteristically universal.

In the meantime, ‘Potensi Wakaf Pendidikan Tinggi di Malaysia’ (The Potentials of Higher Education Waqf in Malaysia) is the title of the book written by Ahmad Shaifful Anuar Ahmad Shukor.

Lenny Luat's book cover.

Associate Professor Dr. Ab Aziz Yusof authored two books related to organization management. His two books are on ‘Penilaian Prestasi dari Perspektif Islam’ (Performance Evaluation from Islamic Perspective) and 'Pengurusan Organisasi dari Perspektif Islam’ (Organizational Management from Islamic Perspective). 

Two books dedicated to aspects of Management from the Islamic perspective by the same author -
Assoc. Prof. Ab. Aziz Yusof.

With this display of ability, hard work and keeping diligently within the time frame prescribed, ISDEV is confident of producing more scholarly books. In fact, in the pipeline is another set of seven new books by other ISDEV members scheduled to be published in the very near future.

Should you be keen to get a copy of at least any one of these books or require further details regarding these books, do log on to http://isdev.usm.my/index.php/book-list

A NAS A WEEK - 19 RAMADHAN 1436H

Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Decree [al-Qadr, 97:1].

THE ISDEV - OXFORD CONNECTION

Dato' Dr. Afifi Al-Akiti's talk on "Islam and Philosophical Wisdom"

It truly was a warm get together again for ISDEV Director, Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh and Dato' Dr. Afifi Al-Akiti. In addition to Dato' Dr. Afifi's appointment as ISDEV Visiting Fellow since 2013, both Dato' Dr. Afifi and Prof. Syukri Salleh hailed from the same prestigious academic background - Oxford University. Although Prof. Syukri graduated from Oxford with his PhD in 1991, he had the chance to be closely acquainted and sealed a special bond of brotherhood with Dato' Dr. Afifi when Prof. Syukri was back in Oxford as Oxford Visiting Fellow in 2010. Dato' Dr. Afifi was (and still is) a lecturer at the much revered university. It was then that the strong ukhuwwah between Prof. Syukri and Dato' Dr. Afifi was affectionately sealed.

Recently, Prof. Syukri attended the Universiti Islam Malaysia Wisdom Lecture Series (U-WISE) and coincidentally met up with his friend Dato' Dr. Afifi once again. The U-WISE programme was held at Putrajaya Marriot Hotel, IOI Resort City, Sepang Utara on 17 June 2015 .

(L)- Prof. Syukri, UIM President Tan Sri Prof. Dr. Mohd Yusof Noor (white shirt), Dato' Dr. Afifi, UIM Senior Fellow Prof. Dr. Khalid Mohd Nor and UIM officer.

The participants of the programme consisted of academics from all over Malaysia. Being there on behalf of USM Vice Chancellor and as representative of USM, Prof. Syukri did not expect to be able to personally meet up with Dato' Dr. Afifi who was the main speaker for the inaugural U-WISE. Dato' Dr. Afifi delivered a lecture on "Islam and Philosophical Wisdom". However Dato' Dr. Afifi upon realizing that Prof. Syukri was there, took the opportunity to personally meet up and struck a conversation with him. One of the first things that Dato' Dr. Afifi asked from Prof. Syukri was to fill him in with the latest happenings on ISDEV.

Dato' Dr. Afifi takes his appointment as ISDEV Visiting Fellow seriously. He expressed his longing of coming back to ISDEV for a follow-up of the ISDEV Lecture Series that he delivered in 2010 on "Approaching Knowledge Secular and Religious". He is proud of his close association with ISDEV and unabashedly confess how closely attached he feels to ISDEV. Following updates from ISDEV's blog and website helped him to track ISDEV development. He also expressed his keenness and eagerly awaits for the appropriate time to be back at ISDEV in the very near future.

The close rapport and affiliation shared by these Oxford-don, Prof. Syukri with Dato' Dr. Afifi.

In the meantime, the U-WISE programme that Prof. Syukri attended was organized by University Islam Malaysia (UIM), which is the first university in Malaysia set up by the Conference of Rulers. UIM is a university founded through the activation of Kolej Islam Malaya (Malaya Islamic College) that was based on charitable funds and waqf , first introduced in 1955. The establishment of UIM is seen as a continuity to the traditions of charitable funds and waqf. UIM currently is offering short term courses in Islamic Studies and Islamic Banking for its December intake. Once its application to be registered as a public institution of higher learning is approved, UIM is poised to offer postgraduate courses at the Master and PhD levels.

UIM Mosque, Cyberjaya - with a capacity of 8000-strong congregation is designed to cater for the growing population of Cyberjaya. The 100 acre UIM campus is designed to be fully equipped with facilities such as the main Mosque building, Admininistration  office, VIP Lounge, Classrooms, Food preparation & dining area, ablution and toilets, travelator, multipurpose hall, staff quarters, indoor courtyard and an outdoor plaza.