In September, the frenzied atmosphere that surrounded the first batch of Masters Students in Islamic Development Management (MISDEV ’08) were felt as the due date for the submission of their written dissertation edged closer and closer. Although not a mandatory requirement, four students from MISDEV ’08 volunteered to present and shared their findings which were slotted for in three consecutive Fridays of September – all during the month of Ramadhan. The intellectual discourse for these students proved to be beneficial as the feedback received from the reviewers appointed allowed the students to improve on their dissertation before the final submission.

Dissertation presentation by Zaleha Embong

Dissertation presentation by Hasliza Saad

Dissertation presentation by Shereeza Dissertation presentation by Mohd Zulhafiz

In the midst of the dissertation fever felt by MISDEV ’08, the blessed fasting month did not pass by ISDEV idly. To celebrate in the barakah found in the month of Ramadhan, ISDEV feasted its members on 11 September, 2009 at the Dewan Bankuet, USM to iftar (the breaking of fast) which was followed by tazkirah and the congregational prayers of maghrib, then isya and the nawafil tarawikh prayers.

Iftar
Iftar

MISDEV09 Students with Prof Syukri's wife and daughter (4th & 5th from right respectively) at ISDEV's Iftar

The Chairman of the ISDEV's Iftar Organizing Committee Dr Zakaria Bahari (left) and ISDEV Director Prof Syukri (right)

DR FADZILA AZNI AHMAD IS ISDEV NEWLY APPOINTED DEPUTY DIRECTOR

ISDEV is steadily but surely growing. With this growth, more responsibilities and more challenges await. As such the appointment of Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad (or affectionately known as Dr Sukainah among ISDEV members) as the Deputy Director of ISDEV came as no surprise. In fact it is news that is greatly anticipated by many within ISDEV. Her appointment as ISDEV 1st Deputy Director which commenced from 15 May, 2009 until 31st December, 2011 is definitely a boost to ISDEV and an indication of ISDEV growing recognition.

Heartiest Congratulations to Dr Fadzila Azni!

A NAS A WEEK - 1 DZUL QA'IDAH 1430H

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "A believer is not stung twice (by something) out of one and the same hole."[Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Volume 8, Book No. 73: Good Manners and Form (al-Adab), Hadith No. 154].

AMIDST THE SILENCE: ISDEV A BUZZ WITH ACTIVITIES IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER

It has been said that time and tide waits for no man. ISDEV is surely not exempted from the ticking of time too. Amidst the apparent silence ISDEV has been a buzzed with activities in these past three months.

In August, whilst the majority of USM fraternity were basking in the mid-semester break, ISDEV members were busy organizing and simultaneously participating in the 4th International Graduate Workshop held at Dewan Persidangan Universiti, USM on 18 – 19 August, 2009. A total of 61 working papers were presented of which participants from varied international background congregated at the said workshop. There were two keynote addresses which were aptly themed on “Academic Integrity”. Director of ISDEV, Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh, the first key note speaker talked about Academic Integrity in Writing whilst the second key note speaker, Dr. Mohammad Zaini bin Abdu Bakar delivered his address on the second day about Academic Integrity in Research.

Certificate of Participation

Dr Zakaria (left) from USM and Avrizal (right) from Medan

Registration: Sunaryo from Malang, Indonesia (left) and Dr Masakaree Ardae from Thailand (right)

Registration

The Conference


The Dean of the Institute of Postgraduate Studies, Prof Roshada Hashim (left) receiving a gift from the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad (right) after closing the Conference

More events have been planned for the month of October. Recently MISDEV’09 organized an intellectual trip to the headquarters of HPA in Perlis (with a shopping spree to Padang Besar and a bite at Radix Fried Chicken in Alor Star). In the pipeline for this month are as follows:

1) Four proposal presentations of ISDEV postgraduate students by research on 16th and 30th October respectively
2) Feast for ISDEV newly-wed members on 16th October
3) Farewell feast for MISDEV ’08 coupled with “Majlis Restu Ilmu” on 16th October, and
4) The 3rd ISDEV International Islamic Development Management Conference: Islamic Capital Market on 28-29th October and

5) Monthly Graduate Supervision on 30th October

Prof Syukri giving an introductory lecture in the bus on a trip to HPA in Perlis

ISDEV Post-Doctoral Fellow Dr Miftah Rohim delivering tazkirah on the journey to HPA in Perlis

Dinner at Radix Fried Chicken restaurat in Alor Setar, Kedah

From left: Mohd Amin, Mohd Zulhafiz and Ekarat Sitisan at the Radix Fried Chicken restaurant

A NAS A WEEK - 23 SHAWWAL 1430H

"... Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another in sin and rancour: fear Allah: for Allah is strict in punishment." [al-Maaidah, 5: 2; Translation by Abdullah Yusuf Ali]

A NAS A WEEK - 16 SHAWWAL 1430H

Narrated Samurah ibn Jundub: The Prophet (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) named our cavalry "the Cavalry of Allah," when we were struck with panic, and when panic overtook us, the Apostle of Allah (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) commanded us to be united, to have patience and perseverance; and to be so when we fought [Hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud, Book No. 14: Jihad, Hadith No. 2554].

A NAS A WEEK - 9 SHAWWAL 1430H

Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth, prepared for the righteous [Aali 'Imraan, 3:133].

A NAS A WEEK - 2 SHAWWAL 1430H

Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) as saying: He who observed the fast of Ramadan and then followed it with six (fasts) of Shawwal, it would be as if he fasted perpetually [Hadith from Sahih Muslim, Book No. 6: The Book of Fasting (Kitab al-Sawm), Chapter No. 36: Excellence of Observing Fast for Six Days in the Month of Shawwal, Hadith No. 2614].

HAPPY EID-UL-FITRI FROM ISDEV

ISDEV WISHING ALL A HAPPY EID-UL-FITRI May Allah swt accepts our ibadah and forgives our deficiencies during Ramadhan

A NAS A WEEK - 24 RAMADHAN 1430H

The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practise regular charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise [at-Taubah, 9: 71].

A NAS A WEEK - 17 RAMADHAN 1430H

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that Allah's Messenger (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time [Hadith from Sahih Muslim, Book No. 6: The Book of Fasting (Kitab al-Sawm), Chapter 37: One Should Exert More (In Devotion and Prayer) in the Last Ten Days of Ramadhan, Hadith No. 2644].

A NAS A WEEK - 10 RAMADHAN 1430H

Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur-an, as a guide to mankind, also Clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful [al-Baqarah, 2: 185].

A NAS A WEEK - 3 RAMADHAN 1430H

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) as saying: When there comes the month of Ramadan, the gates of mercy are opened, and the gates of Hell are locked and the devils are chained [Hadith from Sahih Muslim, Book No. 6: The Book of Fasting (al-Sawm), Chapter 1: Excellence of the Month of Ramadhan, Hadith No. 2361].

A NAS A WEEK - 26 SYA'ABAN 1430H

O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint [al-Baqarah, 2:183].

A NAS A WEEK - 19 SYA'ABAN 1430

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, 'I am fasting." The Prophet added, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times."[Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book no. 31: Fasting, Hadith No. 118].

A NAS A WEEK - 12 SYA'ABAN 1430H

Did ye think that ye would enter Heaven without Allah testing those of you who fought hard (in His Cause) and remained steadfast? [Aali 'Imran, 3: 142]

3 ISDEV MEMBERS AT iECONS 2009

On 15-17 July 2009, three ISDEV members were at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, presenting their respective papers at Islamic Economics System Conference (iECONS 2009).

They were Dr Zakaria Bahari (left) who presented a paper entitled "Ke Manakah Hala Tuju Instrumen Sukuk di Malaysia"; Ahmad Azrin Adnan (below left) who presented a paper entitled "The Shari`ah Deliberation Factor as a Basis for Selecting a Bank: A Discussion of Experts"; and Mohamad Salleh Abdullah (below right) who presented a paper entitled "Eksistensi Wakaf Tunai di Pulau Pinang: Satu Analisis Mengenai Potensi dan Mobilisasi Dana Untuk Pembangunan Ekonomi Umat Islam".

iECONS 2009 was co-organised by Faculty of Economics & Muamalat of the USIM and Islamic Finance & Wealth Management Institute (IFWMI).

A NAS A WEEK - 4 SHA'ABAN 1430H

Narrated Anas ibn Malik: The Prophet (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) forbade that a man should drink while standing [Hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud, Book No. 26: Drinks (Kitab al-Ashribah), Hadith No. 3708].

A NAS A WEEK - 27 RAJAB 1430H

Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate! [Fussilat, 41: 34].

ISDEV FEAST OF "HELLO" AND "FAREWELL"

On 10th July, 2009, ISDEV proved, yet once again, that the Islamic Development Management Studies beats mere rhetoric and theory. In keeping up with the spirit of Islamic brotherhood, a necessary element in the discipline, ISDEV feasted its members to Penang’s infamous Nasi Dalcha and 3 Celebration Cakes. The 3 Cakes signify the growing members of ISDEV as well as to signify “AH LAN WA SAH LAN” (which means “WELCOME” to ISDEV new batch of Masters in Islamic Development Management (Mix-Mode) students) and a sad yet affectionate “FAREWELL” to ISDEV Post Doctoral Fellow, Dr Saad Siddiqui whose research tenure ends on 27 July, 2009.

The day started with a heart to heart session between ISDEV existing batch of students and the new students at C06, School of Social Sciences. The session was chaired by ABI’s president, PhD candidate, Brother Mohd Salleh Abdullah. After the introductory session, the floor was open to existing ISDEV students for a “sharing” session as ISDEV lecturers were not present during the session. This session provided the platform for the new students to be prepared mentally, physically and emotionally in their quest for knowledge at ISDEV by first getting to know the “likes” and “dislikes” of all ISDEV lecturers.

Before proceeding to taste the delectable fare prepared, ISDEV Post Doctoral Fellow, Dr Saad Siddiqui, from University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan gave some parting words of advice to members of ISDEV. Dr Siddiqui who is leaving Penang on 25th July, 2009 said that he has mixed emotions on his departure. Joy and sorrow are intermixed as besides going back to his home he was about to leave “Paradise on Earth” which he “agreed 200% with Dr Abdul Hamid Khan Abbasi”. Although he was initially lost for words, Dr Siddiqui continued to say that the first memoirs are the most difficult to forget. This is because it is in ISDEV that besides being blessed with this environment of brotherhood and love his exposure to the English language ISDEV really helped him to complete a short hand book in English on Research Methodologies on Hadith.

He concluded his speech by reminding ISDEV members to always have within them these 4 elements of Iman, Virtuous Deeds, to propagate with Truth and to propagate with Patience as encapsulated in the verses of Surah Al-Asr.

5 ISDEV MEMBERS BACK SAFELY IN PENANG

Five ISDEV members - Professor Syukri, Dr Zakaria, Dr Zaini, Dr Zahri and Dr Fadzila Azni -who were doing research and participating in an international conference in the United Kingdom have arrived home safely on Sunday 5th July 2009. They left Leicester city for Heathrow airport in the morning of Saturday 4th July 2009. While waiting for the flight to Malaysia scheduled in the evening, they have an opportunity to have a lunch and pray at Malaysia Hall in Bayswater and shopped at Oxford Street, Edgware Road and Paddington in London.

At Heathrow airport with Algerian brother Ameur (centre), the taxi driver cum PhD candidate at Markfield Institute of Higher Education who ferried ISDEV members to Heathrow from Leicester

In front of Malaysia Hall, Bayswater, London
Waiting to fly at Heathrow airport, London
At a park in Leicester after the conference

A NAS A WEEK - 20 RAJAB 1430H

Yahya related to me from Malik that he heard that Luqman al-Hakim made his will and counselled his son, saying, "My son! Sit with the learned men and keep close to them. Allah gives life to the hearts with the light of wisdom as Allah gives life to the dead earth with the abundant rain of the sky" [Hadith from Malik's Muwatta', BookNo. 59: Knowledge, Hadith No. 59.1.1].

A NAS A WEEK - 12 RAJAB 1430H

On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray:) "Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; our Lord! lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; help us against those who stand against Faith" [al-Baqarah, 2: 286].

7TH DAY IN UK: 3 OTHER ISDEV MEMBERS PRESENTING PAPERS AT LEICESTER CONFERENCE

On Friday 3rd July 2009, three other members participating in the International Conference on Islamic Perspectives on Management and Finance at Leicester University presented their respective papers. It was began by Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh who presented a paper entitled "Management of Islamic Development Approach: A Critical Analysis of the Management of Islam Hadhari in Malaysia", followed by Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad on "Total Quality Management (TQM) From Islamic Perspective: An Epistemological Analysis", and Dr Mohamad Zaini Abu Bakar on "The New Economic Policy as a Mechanism of Islamic Conflict Management in a Multicultural Society: The Case of Malaysia".

The Conference concluded in the evening and all the 5 members of ISDEV will be leaving for Malaysia Saturday 4th July 2009. They are expected to arrive Penang on Sunday 5th July 2005.

6TH DAY IN UK: DR ZAHRI & DR ZAKARIA PRESENTING PAPERS AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVES ON MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE

Some of the participants of the Conference

On the 6th day in UK (Thursday 2nd July 2009), the five ISDEV members currently in the country participated in the International Conference on Islamic Perspectives on Management and Finance at Leicester University. The day witnessed Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh chairing a session on "Shariah Parameter on Islamic Swap as Hedging Mechanism in Islamic Finance" by Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dato' Dusuki of International Shari'ah Research Academy for Islamic Finance (ISRA), Dr Zahri Hamat presenting a paper on "Business Zakat Accounting and Taxation in Malaysia", and Dr Zakaria Bahari presenting a paper on "Change of Product Structure in Islamic Banking: The Case in Malaysia".

Professor Syukri chairing the Session

Dr Zahri (above) and Dr Zakaria (below) presenting their papers