A NAS A WEEK - 1 JUMADA AL-AWWAL

Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “There are four signs that make someone a pure hypocrite and whoever has them has a characteristic of hypocrisy until he abandons it: when he speaks he lies, when he makes a covenant he is treacherous, when he makes a promise he breaks it, and when he argues he is wicked” [Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 34, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 58; Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Credit to: Daily Hadith Online

A MEANINGFUL MASA@ULU LEGGONG BY MISDEV16.1

The banner with details of the programme

Some of the MISDEV 16.1 students together with ISDEV lecturers in a group photo for keepsake.

MISDEV16.1 (ISDEV Postgraduate by Mixed-Mode) students had successfully conducted  the Makmal Socio-Akademik at Ulu Legong, Baling , Kedah Darul Aman (or MASA@ULU LEGONG). The two-day-one night programme focused on Tasawur, Development and Community was part of the assignment for the SEW501 course. It was held from 10 to 11 December, involving 18 students and seven ISDEV lecturers .

MASA@ULU LEGONG participants at wedding reception one of the villagers

Immediately after the opening ceremony of MASA@ULU LEGONG, participants had the first taste of being part of the sustainable-recognised village community of Desa Lestari Ulu Legong when they became part of the guests of the wedding reception of one of the villagers. True to kampung style gotong-royong, almost every member of the village was involved in the success of the event. They ensured guests were entertained and served with the food prepared as well as getting the "bunga telur" (door gift) which is a norm to be given to guests who attended any wedding receptions.

Riadah activity with the children of Desa Lestari Ulu Legong. 

The Falak Exhibition Booth set up after Isya' prayer by the Pulau Pinang State Mufti Department.

After Isya' prayer, MISDEV 16.1 organized a discussion regarding Tasawur Pembangunan Komuniti (The Tasawur of Community Development). The discussion  consisted of two panels comprising of Ustazah Siti Nur Aafifah and Ustaz Hamzah representing MISDEV16.1 and Pak Long a resident of Desa Lestari Ulu Lenggong whilst the moderator for the session was Ustaz Hazrin. After the discussion, there was the exhibition booth on the tools of astronomy used by practitioners of falak on display by the Pulau Pinang State Mufti Department.

Its time to get fit as bicycles galore were available for participants.

The following day, a couple of interesting activities were conducted which aimed to ensure participants know and revel in the Islamic worldview of a community development of Desa Lestari Ulu Legong. First was the honey farm where participants were not only given a chance to taste honey taken directly from the honeycomb but also had the chance up close and personal to be fascinated by the beauty and wonders of the bees. A reminder to the participants of some verses of al-Qur'an on the wonders of the bees and honey.

Students participate on river hiking at Ulu Legong

Then there was the river tracking activity. Here students and lecturers trudged along the river stream in an effort to help clean the river. There was quite a number of plastic wastes that were picked up by the participants including soiled used baby diapers and some plastic containers such as the "white coffin" - the styro-foam. These are evidence of some unscrupulous attitude of the visitors who made use of the river as picnics and other activities.

Honour given to Prof Syukri to plant the seedlings of the date tree as a symbolic gesture to sustainable development.

Masa@Ulu Legoong ended on a positive note as all participants especially ISDEV lecturers were touched by the meticulous planning and dedication shown by all MISDEV16.1 students to make the programme a success. Alhamdulillah.

IT'S NOW IN ITS 5TH SERIES - THE DBP WRITING WORKSHOP

The DBP representatives.

Four editors of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), Puan Nurul Julia, Puan Siti Mariam Othman, Puan Rohaida Baharudin and Puan Siti Maizatul Rozihani were at ISDEV for the two-day DBP Writing Workshop starting from 14 December until 15 December 2016. The main essence of this workshop was to get to know the authors' respective editors, and review the book manuscripts together. The workshop provided the best possible avenue and opportunity for ISDEV budding authors to attain tips and guidance in their writing.

Associate Prof. Dr. Abdul Aziz Hussin with ISDEV lecturers.

Apart from ISDEV lecturers and students, the DBP Writing Workshop, also saw the participation of Associate Professor Dr. Abdul Aziz Hussin from the School of Housing, Building and Planning (HBP), Dr. Shaik Abdullah Hassan Mydin, School of Distance Learning (PJJ) and Dr. Radieah Mohd Nor from the Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS), Universiti Sains Malaysia together with Dr. Raziah Md Tahir and Dr. Nor Hanani Ismail both of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM).

ISDEV authors discussing with their respective editors.

This has definitely paved the way to further strengthen ISDEV publication relationship with DBP. The rest as they say is history. ISDEV works written by ISDEV members are definitely on its way for publication by DBP in this near future.

Group photo of ISDEV lecturers and students after the DBP Writing Workshop.

A NAS A WEEK - 23 RABI 'AL-THANI 1438

O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah , witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do [al-Ma'idah, 5:8].

MISDEV 15.1 MAJLIS RESTU ILMU

Group Photo of ISDEV lecturers with MISDEV 15.1 students.

On 30th December 2016, 35 MISDEV15.1 (ISDEV Postgraduate by Mixed-Mode) students who will complete their Master of Social Science (Islamic Development Management) in February 2017 were honoured in a simple yet meaningful ceremony called “Majlis Restu Ilmu” (Knowledge Blessing Ceremony). The event which lasted for two hours started at 9.00 am was attended by ISDEV Director Associate Professor Dr. Zakaria Bahari, ISDEV Deputy Director Dr. Fadzila Azni Ahmad as well as other ISDEV lecturers.

Students from MISDEV 15.1 line up to seek blessings of the knowledge gained from the lecturers.

The event took place at the Lantai Seni, Kompleks Cahaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). The first session was the opening remarks from the representative of MISDEV15.1, Ustaz Azizan Sarayon. A simple video specially dedicated for MISDEV15.1 students was also aired to the audience followed by a culmination of the day, namely 'Sesi Merestui Ilmu’ (Knowledge Blessing Session).

The strong bond built between each student and ISDEV lecturers.

It has become a tradition in ISDEV that the significance of such programme is to enable ISDEV lecturers to bestow their blessings to all MISDEV15.1 students on the knowledge that has been shared and imparted to the students who have just completed their studies. It was indeed an emotional-filled session. However, on the face of each student was a glimpse of glowing contentment - a happiness that contains hundreds of fond memories. The ceremony ended with a group photo session.

Goodluck in the future for MISDEV15.1 students.

A NAS A WEEK - 17 RABI'AL THANI 1438

Qais ibn Sa’d reported: A funeral passed by the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and he stood up. It was said to him, “It is a Jew.” The Prophet said, “Was he not a soul?” [Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1250, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 961; Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

A NAS A WEEK - 10 RABI'AL THANI 1438

And say, "Do (as you will), for Allah will see your deeds, and (so, will) His Messenger and the believers. And you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you of what you used to do." [al-Tawbah, 9:105]

ISDEV PLAYED HOST TO EDEXGLA 9 PARTCIPANTS

A pamphlet on EDEXGLA 9.

On 19th December 2016, the Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) with the cooperation of the International Mobility & Career Centre (IMCC) of USM played host to 16 undergraduate students from Thailand. These students had successfully undergone the tight selective criteria set by the the Foundation of Islamic Culture for Education and Development, Thailand (FICED) to participate in the Education & Social Expedition for Global Actions (EDEXGLA) trip to neighbouring countries. This time around EDEXGLA 9 routes took them to three neighbouring countries, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapura involving seven regions.For the Thailand Chapter, they went to Bangkok and Hat Yai while for the Malaysian chapter, EDEXGLA 9 brought them to Pulau Pinang, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru. Besides Singapura, EDEXGLA 9 also took them to visit the Batam Island in Indonesia.

ISDEV delegates with the participants of EDEXGLA#9 in front of the International Office, USM.

ISDEV took the opportunity to brief the students about the programmes offered for their postgraduate endeavours at ISDEV. ISDEV Deputy Director, Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad, presented to these students ISDEV background - history, the academic programme offered, its research focus and a glimpse of how it is like to be a postgraduate student at ISDEV. Dr Fadzila Azni showed these students through pictorials presentation of classes conducted and the various activities organised by ISDEV including ISDEV's two annual academic meetings INGRAW (The ISDEV International Graduate Worskhop) and IDMAC (The International Islamic Development Management Conference).

Participants listening to ISDEV Deputy Director, Dr Fadzila Azni on what ISDEV is all about.

Besides having a question and answer session, there was also an interview by Puan Azreen Hamiza Abdul Aziz, who is under the ISDEV Academic Staff Training Scheme (ASTS), with one of the EDEXGLA#9 participants. It is learnt that there particpants were required to ensure five main purposes were fulfilled.These five purposes are:-

1. To raise and develop fund for education of Thai Muslim youths;

2. To promote and implement educational projects for upgrading life-quality of Muslim in Thailand;

3. To promote and conduct research and educational activity;

4. To coordinate with governmental development agencies; and

5. To conduct charitable activities and collaborate with other charitable organizations.

Azreen Hamiza interviewing one of the participates of FICED, Muhammad Amin Musa
from Chulalongkorn University.

FICED is formed from a group of universities in Thailand such as Kasetsart University, Prince of Songkla University, Fatoni University and others. For students to be part of this group, they are required to undergo two stages of interview in order to be selected into this Islamic Society Team. 16 students were selected and majority are in their 4th year. FICED, was set up with mainly the following three objectives - first, to provide the students with Islamic knowledge related to society, economy, politics, tradition, culture and etc; second, to provide the students with new overseas experience and third, to practice planning, decision-making and problem solving skills.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR ZAKARIA BAHARI IS NOW ISDEV DIRECTOR

As of 1 January, 2017 Associate Professor Dr Zakaria is ISDEV Director.

It is now 2017. The first day of 2017 marks the first day that Associate Professor Dr Zakaria Bahari assumes the role of Director for the Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). He is the second Director of ISDEV after succeeding from Professor Dr Muhammad Syukri Salleh who had served as ISDEV Director from its inception as a virtual centre under the School of Social Sciences, USM into a full fledged Research Centre of Excellence in 2013. Assoc. Prof. Dr Zakaria's appointment as ISDEV Director is for two years - from 1 January, 2017 until 31 December, 2018.

ISDEV founding Director, Prof Syukri (right) with the new ISDEV Director,  Assoc. Prof. Dr Zakaria (left). 

Assoc. Prof. Dr Zakaria is confident that with the commitment and love for Islam and ISDEV, he is able to lead ISDEV to greater heights provided that each and every ISDEV member not only plays their part well but at the same time works as a team in the spirit of ukhuwwah (Islamic brotherhood) at all times. Following the footsteps of Prof Syukri, he reiterated the three basic pillars that had allowed ISDEV to be positioned to where it is now. First is Iman and Taqwa (Faith and Piety). Second is ukhuwwah (Islamic brotherhood). Third is Synchronization of Thoughts and Actions. He stressed the importance of these three pillars as he acknowledged that although the leadership baton has now been handed to him, these basic pillars remain astutely firm as the guiding principles in managing and leading ISDEV to be the Regional Reference Centre by 2020. In addition, Assoc. Prof Zakaria welcomes the presence of Prof Syurki, as the founding Director of ISDEV, who would still be at ISDEV until 31 July, 2017 to advise and guide him in his role as the new Director of ISDEV.

A NAS A WEEK - 3 RABI'AL-THANI 1438

Abdullah ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. The leader of people is a guardian and is responsible for his subjects. A man is the guardian of his family and he is responsible for them. A woman is the guardian of her husband’s home and his children and she is responsible for them. The servant of a man is a guardian of the property of his master and he is responsible for it. No doubt, every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock.” [Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6719, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1829; Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim]