A NAS A WEEK - 21 MUHARRAM 1432H

Musa b. 'Uqba reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: "When one who had committed the Qur'an to memory (or who is familiar with it) gets up (for night prayer) and recites it night and day, it remains fresh in his mind, but if he does not get up (for prayer and thus does not recite it) he forgets it." [Hadith from Sahih Muslim, Book 4, Hadith Number 1722].

A NAS A WEEK - 14 MUHARRAM 1432H

Take alms from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it, and invoke Allah for them. Verily! Your invocations are a source of security for them, and Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower [at-Tawbah, 9:103].

A NAS A WEEK - 7 MUHARRAM 1432H

Narrated 'Aisha: Allah's Apostle ordered (the Muslims) to fast on the day of 'Ashura', and when fasting in the month of Ramadan was prescribed, it became optional for one to fast on that day ('Ashura') or not [Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 219].

HAPPY MAAL HIJRAH 1432

ISDEV wishing all a happy Maal Hijrah 1432.
Let's strive for the best, for tha sake of Allah swt and Islam.

A NAS A WEEK - 29 DZULHIJJAH 1431H

Those who believed and left their homes and strove for the cause of Allah, and those who took them in and helped them - these are the believers in truth. For them is pardon, and bountiful provision [al-Anfaal,8:74].

A NAS A WEEK - 22 DZULHIJJAH 1431H

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: Allah's Apostle said, "There is no Hijra (i.e. migration) (from Mecca to Medina) after the Conquest (of Mecca), but Jihad and good intention remain; and if you are called (by the Muslim ruler) for fighting, go forth immediately [Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 52: Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihaad), Volume 4, Hadith Number 42].

A NAS A WEEK - 15 DZULHIJJAH 1431H

The pilgrimage is (performed in) the well-known months; so whoever determines the performance of the pilgrimage therein, there shall be no intercourse nor fornication nor quarrelling amongst one another; and whatever good you do, Allah knows it; and make provision, for surely the provision is the guarding of oneself, and be careful (of your duty) to Me, O men of understanding [al-Baqarah, 2:197].

A HAPPY EID-UL-ADHA

ISDEV wishing all a happy Eid-ul Adha. May Allah accept our efforts and sacrifices that we have presented before Him for the sake of Him and Islam.

A NAS A WEEK - 8 DZULHIJJAH 1431H

Narrated Salama bin Al-Aqua': The Prophet said, "Whoever has slaughtered a sacrifice should not keep anything of its meat after three days." When it was the next year the people said, "O Allah's Apostle! Shall we do as we did last year?" He said, ' Eat of it and feed of it to others and store of it for in that year the people were having a hard time and I wanted you to help (the needy)." [Hadith from the Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 68: Al-Adha Festival Sacrifice (Adaahi) Hadith Number 476].

CALL FOR NOMINATION: TAN SRI MUHYIDDIN MOHD YASSIN BEST THESIS AWARD 2011

Pencalonan adalah dipelawa daripada individu atau institusi untuk Anugerah Tesis Sarjana Terbaik Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Muhyiddin Haji Mohd Yassin dan Anugerah Tesis Doktor Falsafah Terbaik Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Muhyiddin Haji Mohd Yassin bagi tahun 2011. Maklumat tentang Anugerah ini adalah seperti berikut.

Nomination from individuals and institutions for Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Muhyiddin Haji Mohd Yassin Best Master Thesis Award and Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Muhyiddin Haji Mohd Yassin Best Master Thesis Award for 2011 is invited. Details of the Awards are as follows.

Pengendali / Organisers

Pusat Kajian Pengurusan Pembangunan Islam (ISDEV) Universiti Sains Malaysia dan Yayasan Nurul Yaqeen.

Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV) Universiti Sains Malaysia and Yayasan Nurul Yaqeen.

Tujuan / Objective

Mendorong penghasilan tesis Sarjana dan Doktor Falsafah berkaitan Islam dalam pelbagai bidang yang bermutu tinggi dan memberi pengiktirafan yang setimpal serta menerbitkannya untuk dicontohi oleh para sarjana yang lain.

To encourage production of high quality Master and Doctoral Thesis related to Islam in all fields, provide recognition accordingly and publish it for the benefit of other scholars.

Kategori / Categories

1. Anugerah Tesis Sarjana Terbaik / Best Master Thesis

2. Anugerah Tesis Doktor Falsafah Terbaik / Best Doctoral Thesis

Nilai Anugerah / Value of the Award

1. RM 10,000.00 dan Sijil bagi Anugerah Tesis Sarjana Terbaik

RM 10,000.00 and Certificate for Best Master Thesis

2. RM 15,000.00 dan Sijil bagi Anugerah Tesis Doktor Falsafah Terbaik

RM 15,000.00 and Certificate for Best Doctoral Thesis

Calon / Candidates

Terbuka kepada pemegang Ijazah Sarjana dan Doktor Falsafah berwarga Malaysia yang telah menghasilkan tesis berkaitan Islam bermutu tinggi dalam apa jua bidang dan menamatkan pengajian masing-masing dengan jayanya di mana-mana universiti seluruh dunia pada tahun 2010 atau 2011.

Open to Malaysians Master and Doctoral degree holders that have produced high quality thesis related to Islam in any fields and passed successfully with flying colours from universities worldwide in 2010 or 2011.

Pencalonan / Nomination

Boleh dibuat oleh universiti calon atau oleh calon sendiri dengan mengirimkan: (i) surat menyatakan hasrat pencalonan; (ii) borang pencalonan yang telah diisi; (iii) bukti yang mengesahkan calon telah lulus pengajian dengan jayanya; (iv) dua naskhah tesis berkulit keras; dan (v) dua naskhah tesis berkulit lembut kepada:

Pengarah

Pusat Kajian Pengurusan Pembangunan Islam (ISDEV)

Pusat Pengajian Sains Kemasyarakatan

Universiti Sains Malaysia

11800 Pulau Pinang

Malaysia

Could be made by universities of the candidates or by candidates themselves by sending: (i) a cover letter expressing the intention to nominate; (ii) a filled nomination forms; (iii) evidence that the candidate has passed his/her study successfully; (iv) two hard cover copies of the thesis; and (v) two soft cover copies of the thesis to:

Director

Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV)

School of Social Sciences

Universiti Sains Malaysia

11800 Penang

Malaysia

Tesis-tesis yang dikirimkan sama ada berjaya atau tidak, tidak akan dipulangkan.

Theses sent, either successful or otherwise, would not be returned.

Tarikh Akhir Pencalonan / Nomination Deadline

31 Mei 2011 / 31 May 2011

Majlis Penganugerahan / Awarding Ceremony

November 2011

Maklumat Lanjut / Further Information

Pengarah

Pusat Kajian Pengurusan Pembangunan Islam (ISDEV)

Pusat Pengajian Sains Kemasyarakatan

Universiti Sains Malaysia

11800 Pulau Pinang

Malaysia

Director

Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV)

School of Social Sciences

Universiti Sains Malaysia

11800 Penang

Malaysia

Tel: (+6)-04-653 2656 / 3422 / 4601 / 2655

Faks / Fax: (+6)-04-653 2124

Emel / Email: syukri54@gmail.com

Laman Web / Website: http://isdev.usm.my

Borang Pencalonan / Nomination Form

THE WINNERS OF THE TAN SRI MUHYIDDIN YASSIN BEST THESIS AWARD 2010 CONCLUDED

Meeting in progress

The Assessment Committee of the Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin Best Thesis Award which was chaired by ISDEV Director Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh on Wednesday 10 November 2010 has decided on the winners of the Award for both the Master and Phd Theses.

For the first time since the Award was introduced, there is a winner for the Master Best Thesis Award this year, apart from the PhD winner. They will be announced at an Award Ceremony scheduled to be held either in the middle of December or early January in Kuala Lumpur, depending on the suitability of the Deputy Prime Minister's date. The Deputy Prime Minister himself will present the prizes to the winners, consisting of a certificate each and a total of RM10,000 and RM15,000 for Master and PhD Theses winners respectively.

The decision on the winners was based on the assessments by 63 assessors, who are lecturers of various universities in Malaysia. Their assessments showed an encouraging increase in the quality of the theses nominated, with the winner's mark reaching 4.8, only 0.2 more for the full mark of 5. The nominations come from within and outside Malaysia, by individuals, theses supervisors and awarding degree institutions, totalling 24 PhD theses and 14 Master theses altogether.

The Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin Best Thesis Award has indeed been able to attract high quality Master and PhD Islamic related theses, proving the excellence of those Malaysians producing them.

The nomination for 2011 is now opened and the deadline for the submission of the Master and PhD theses is 31 May 2011. For further details, see http://isdev.usm.my

Members of the Assessment Committee

THE ISDEV DIRECTOR TARBIYYAH SERIES DEFINING THE SUBCULTURE OF ISDEV

ISDEV Director delivering his Monthly Director's Tarbiyyah

29 September, 2010 was a Tuesday afternoon. As usual ISDEV held its Tuesdays meet at the newly refurbished Conference Room of the School of Social Science (C06) at 3pm. That afternoon was slotted for the monthly “Tarbiyah Pengarah ISDEV”. The meet started off with ISDEV Director, Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh, reminding ISDEV members on the importance of developing an Islamic Fraternity and thus use ISDEV as the platform to strive for excellence in the name of Islam.

Prof. Syukri then mentioned that each distinct group has its own subculture. ISDEV too has its own subculture. Thus to develop a subculture which corresponds to Islamic tenets, the subculture must be based on Al-Quran and As-Sunnah. He further mentioned that 4 things need to be ascertained to develop this subculture. The first of which is the “Budaya Ketuhanan” (The Godliness Culture).

The Godliness Culture, which should inherently be present among all Muslim, means that ISDEV members were encouraged to constantly be mindful and alert of his hablumin Allah (relationship with Allah swt) and hablum min al-nas (relationship with other creatures especially one’s parents and teachers). In addition members were reminded to use the resources that Allah swt has promised mankind in order to attain success. Members were also encouraged to constantly strive (ikhtiar) and surrender to Allah’s will (tawakkal).

To sum it up, Prof, Syukri reminded ISDEV members to:

1) be truly obedient to Allah swt;
2) do the best for one’s parents;
3) do the best for one’s teachers;
4) do the best among your friends,
5) be generous and big-hearted,
6) practice husnu al-dzan (positive assumptions at all times), and
7) supplicate (doa) to Allah swt more.

Amongst the ISDEV fratenity

THE 5TH INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE WORKSHOP 2010 (INGRAW ’10)

ISDEV with the cooperation of the Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IPS), recently co-organised the 5th International Graduate Workshop 2010 (INGRAW ’10) at the University Conference Hall (DPU) of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). The two days conference was held with the focussed aim to provide the platform for research students at the Master or PhD levels to present and share their researches to fellow participants.

There were two Keynote Addresses delivered at INGRAW ’10. The first Keynote Address was delivered by ISDEV Director, Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh on “Formulating a Well-Structured Thesis” who had also officiated the opening of the International Workshop. The second Keynote Address was delivered by Associate Professor Dr. Abdul Fatah Che Hamat on “Irregularities Versus Common Mistakes in Thesis”.

INGRAW’10 which was held from 21 September, 2010 to 22 September, 2010 saw a total number of 76 papers presented ranging from topics on “Human Development” to “Poverty and Politics” and from “Islamic Banking and Financing” to “Waqf and Trustee”. The closing remarks for the conference was given by Dr. Mohamad Zaini Abu Bakar, Chairman of the INGRWA’10 Organizing Committee. INGRAW ’10 was officially declared closed by the Dean of IPS, Professor Dr. Roshada Hashim.

Registration

First keynote address by Prof Muhammad Syukri Salleh

Second keynote address by Associate Professor Dr Abdul Fatah Che Hamat

Among the participants

Associate Professor Dr Abdul Fatah & Professor Syukri

Closing speech by the Dean of Institute of Postgraduate Studies Professor Roshada Hashim

The participants

A NAS A WEEK - 1 DZULHIJJAH 1431H

Therefore pray to your Lord and make a sacrifice [al-Kawthar, 108: 2].

A NAS A WEEK - 23 DZULQA'IDAH 1431H

On the authority of Abu Sa'id (radhi Allah 'anhu), who said that the Messenger of Allah (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) said: "Let not any one of you belittle himself. They said: O Messenger of Allah, how can any one of us belittle himself? He said: He finds a matter concerning Allah about which he should say something, and he does not say [it], so Allah (mighty and sublime be He) says to him on the Day of Resurrection: What prevented you from saying something about such-and-such and such-and-such? He say: [It was] out of fear of people. Then He says: Rather it is I whom you should more properly fear."[Hadith from al-Tirmidhi, Number 5083, Narrated Abu Dharr, related by Ibn Majah with a sound chain of authorities].

YET ANOTHER ISDEV PhD CANDIDATE- MUHAMMAD TAHIR - SUBMITTED HIS PhD THESIS

ISDEV PhD Candidate Brother Muhammad Tahir has submitted his PhD thesis on 24 September, 2010. The title is “Methods and Pracitice of Tazkiyah an-Nafs in Islamic-Based Development: A Case Study of the Koperasi Pondok Pesantren (KOPONTREN) Daarut Tauhid Bandung, Indonesia (Kaedah Dan Amalan Tazkiyyah Al-Nafs Dalam Pembangunan Berteraskan Islam: Kajian Kes Koperasi Pondok Pesantren (Kopontren) Daarut Tauhiid, Bandung, Indonesia).

He has been working with ISDEV Director Professor Dr Muhammad Syukri Salleh and ISDEV Management Committee Member Dr Mohamad Zaini Abu Bakar.

Viva voce for the thesis is expected to be held sometime in November 2010. When the exact date is confirmed, a mock viva will be held at ISDEV to train him to face the real viva voce.

Whilst waiting for his viva, Brother Muhammad Tahir, who hails from the island of Sulawesi Indonesia, is currently busy with activities that are spiritual as well as intellectual and physical in nature including writing articles for publication in journals.

Listening to Muhammad Tahir's presentation of his thesis at ISDEV before he was allowed to submit it

ISDEV’S HARI RAYA GET TOGETHER

ISDEV new family member: Brother Khairul's son on ISDEV Director's lap at the gathering

A belated but memorable news!

On Wednesday, 22 September, 2010 ISDEV held a Hari Raya get-together to its fraternity. It was one of the activities organized with the aim to provide the platform for ISDEV members to bind further the ukhuwwah (Islamic brotherhood). It was held at the Banquet Hall of Universiti Sains Malaysia.

ISDEV members and their families gathered at the Hall by 7:00pm and the event started off with performing the Maghrib prayer congregationally. A short tazkirah by ISDEV PhD Candidate Warjio ensued immediately thereafter. As the time for ‘Isya had beckoned members to perform, this was also done congregationally.

Before members were allowed to taste the scrumptious food that had been specially ordered for this occasion, ISDEV lecturers followed by representatives of ISDEV students gave a very short but affable Hari Raya greetings to all those who were present.

Then came ISDEV Director’s, Professor Dr Muhammad Syukri Salleh, turn to give his Hari Raya message to ISDEV fraternity. He congratulated members who were able to successfully attain the highest level of saum (fast) and thus be rewarded with the celebrations of ‘Eid. As for members who might not be successful in attaining the highest level of saum, he reminded them to supplicate to Allah swt for forgiveness and also to seek Allah’s blessings that they are in a position to meet with Ramadhan next year to strive again for the highest level of saum.

After the Hari Raya greetings, it was bon apetit to all who were present!

ISDEV brothers before the dinner

Brother Warjio delivering a tazkirah after maghrib prayer

Parts of ISDEV sisters listening to Brother Warjio's tazkirah

Time for the foods

Mixed Mode Master students 2010 (MISDEV10) taking the opportunity to record their presence at the gathering

A NAS A WEEK - 16 DZULQA'IDAH 1431H

Narrated Abu Jamra Ad-Dabi: I used to sit with Ibn 'Abbas in Mecca. Once I had a fever and he said (to me), "Cool your fever with Zam-zam water, for Allah's Apostle said: 'It, (the Fever) is from the heat of the (Hell) Fire; so, cool it with water (or Zam-zam water)" [Hadith from the Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 54, Number 483].

AHMAD AZRIN ACED HIS VIVA

The viva session on a tv screen broadcasted in a room outside the viva room

ISDEV PhD candidate Ahmad Azrin Adnan had simply aced his viva. He had successfully with confidence and aplomb defended his PhD Thesis entitled “Penentu Pemilihan Institusi Perbankan Islam Dalam Kalangan Muslim Di Terengganu” (Choice Determinants of the Islamic Banking Institutions Among the Muslims in Terengganu) during his viva which was held on Thursday 23 September, 2010 at the Mc Clintock Room of the Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IPS) Building. The viva commenced at 9:55am and ended a mere half an hour later with high accreditation given to Ahmad Azrin for a thesis not only well written but also well defended. The three examiners unanimously agreed that the thesis ought to be nominated for an award both at the university level and the national level.

Before the viva: ISDEV brothers wishing good luck to Azrin after a special solat-ul-hajjat done for him

After the viva: Doa of thanks for Azrin's wonderful success

After the viva: Congratulations from ISDEVgraduate brothers

Azrin's wife (second right) with ISDEV graduate sisters

Associate Professor Dr Abdul Fatah Che Hamat (second left) and Dr Mohamad Zaini Abu Bakar (second right) of ISDEV came to the viva to join other ISDEV graduate students to support Azrin

A feast of thanks held at IPS immediately after the viva

Azrin (right) and his supervisor cum the Director of ISDEV, Prof Muhammad Syukri Salleh at the later's office after the viva

A NAS A WEEK - 10 DZULQA'IDAH 1431H

Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islâm), enjoining Al-Ma'rûf (i.e. that Islâm orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (and all that Islâm has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful [Aali 'Imraan, 3: 104].

A NAS A WEEK - 3 DZULQA'IDAH 1431H

Malik related to me from Sumayy, the mawla of Abu Bakr from Abu Salih from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Travelling is a portion of the torment. It denies you your sleep, food, and drink. When you have accomplished your purpose, you should hurry back to your family" [Translation of Malik's Muwatta, Book 54, Number 54.15.39].

A NAS A WEEK - 27 SHAWWAL 1431H

Be not, then, faint of heart, and grieve not: for you are bound to rise high if you are (truly)believers [Aali 'Imraan, 3:139].

ISDEV STUDENTS AT THE INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP

Registration

Presenting papers

Thanks to the support received from IPS (Institute of Postgraduate Studies), Universiti Sains Malaysia, a total of 62 working papers were successfully presented at the Workshop Antarbangsa Pembangunan Berteraskan Islam III (WAPI-3). WAPI-3 was held within the grounds of the Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) on 2nd August, 2010 in Medan, Indonesia. The papers were mostly written and presented by ISDEV postgraduate students. WAPI -3 which is in its third series is an annual event jointly organized by UMSU and ISDEV.

ISDEV MEMBERS TREATED TO HOME-COOKED FOOD

The recent trip of the ISDEV fraternity to Medan, Indonesia was truly amazing. ISDEV members had the chance to taste Medan home-cooked food almost every dinner time whilst they were there from 1 August 2010 until 7 August 2010. Each of ISDEV PhD candidates who hailed from Medan took turn to host the ISDEV delegates who were there for the 7 day 6 night trip.

Brother Dato’ Khairil Anwar was the first to host the dinner at his lovely abode in a place called Gelugor. He had also surprised ISDEV Director, Professor Dr Muhammad Syukri Salleh, with a birthday cake. The next in line was dinner at Brother Farid Wajdi’s abode for dinner. He surprised ISDEV members with delectable home-cooked eel which was, to some, simply too irresistible.

For the fourth night, Brother Heri Kusmonto honoured ISDEV members with dinner at his exquisite residence which was quite a distance from the hurried and bustling life of the third busiest city in Indonesia. Some members who looked forward to be served with the mouth-watering cucumber juice were definitely contented with the luxurious delightful spread.

ISDEV members were brought to Prapart on the fifth night. Dinner was at the great outdoor with the beautiful and scenic Lake Toba in the backdrop. There ISDEV members were treated with “Ikan Bakar” and the delicious king of the fruits durians of North Sumatera.

Back form Prapart, Dr Sukiman, an ISDEV alumni gave a dinner treat at his beautiful house. Besides presenting the appetizing fair with a mixture of Medan and Aceh home-cooked food, there was a presentation by a Marhaban Group and another birthday cake for Prof Syukri (as he is affectionately known) to commemorate his 56th Birthday.

Just before flying back to Penang, ISDEV members were then hosted for lunch at Brother Suhrawardi Lubis’ private residence. His family members especially his wife, Sister Latifah, was all smiles as she saw ISDEV members tasting her home cooked dishes with such enthusiasm. In enjoying the food that had been prepared the ISDEV fraternity was at all times mindful of the adab (the manner and decorum) of being a guest and of eating as exemplified by Rasulullah s.a.w.

ISDEV DELEGATES IN MEDAN FOR A WEEK

ISDEV delegates to Medan, Indonesia

Listening to tazkirah after fajr prayer

ISDEV Delegates at Polonia Airport in Medan

Following the call for the need for Muslims to travel and thereupon see and ponder upon Allah’s creation, ISDEV Director Professor Dr Muhammad Syukri Salled led the 48 strong ISDEV delegations to Medan, Indonesia. The week long trip which started on 1 August 2010 had been meticulously planned to ensure that ISDEV members were not only physically fed but were also in receipt of intellectual and spiritual inputs.

In terms of the intellectual input for the first three days members attended the following programme which were all held at the main campus of Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) in Medan :

2 August, 2010 - 3rd Workshop Antarbangsa Pembangunan Islam (WAPI-3)

3 August, 2010 - PhD Proposal Presentation (ISDEV PhD Candidates)
(Sister Marlina Ekanawaty and Brother Dato’ Khairil Anwar)

4 August, 2010 - Seminar Antarbangsa on the theme “Peran Dakwah Perguruan Tinggi Islam:Model Aplikasi dan Propsek”.

Some of the ISDEV delegates presenting papers at the Workshop

Outing in Prapat [Danau Toba]

In addition to the intellectual input, the members’ spiritual well-being was also taken care of. The mandatory prayers were performed congregationally. Members were also treated with at least two tazkirah (reminder) sessions a day throughout the trip. The tazkirah was delivered by ISDEV PhD candidates from Medan who took turn after every subh prayer and maghrib prayer times.

As for the delegates’ physical necessities in terms of meals provided and prepared for ISDEV members it was nothing less than superb! Every night ISDEV students from Medan play host to these musafirun (travelers) therefore allowing them to taste Medan own home-cooked savoury fair.

Lunch at Pak Suhrawardi's House

ISDEV IFTAR 2010: AN EMOTIONAL GOODBYE TO DR MIFTAH

The Iftar

ISDEV organized its annual Iftar (Break of Fast) programme this year on Friday 20 August, 2010. It was held at the Banquet Hall of USM. It was well attended by ISDEV members and guests who included staff from the School of Social Sciences and the spouses and children of ISDEV lecturers and students. The close knit ties were really felt alive that night as ISDEV members mingled and sealed the bond of brotherhood with one another.

This feeling of Islamic ukhuwwah was fortified with the congregational prayers of the compulsory prayers of Maghrib and Isya’ and followed by the nawafil (recommended) Tarawikh prayers performed at the Banquet Hall. There were three imam (head) for that night, Dr Miftahurrohim, Ustaz Shahir and Ustaz Taha who took turns to lead the congregational prayers. In between the two compulsory prayers, ISDEV members and guests while enjoying the food that had been prepared for this special occasion, the interview made with Professor Syukri and Dr Fadzila Azni on TV3’s Malaysia Hari Ini programme earlier in the day was played on the screen, to the delight of those who missed it.

This was followed with a short ceremony where all the guests who attended the Iftar programme were introduced to the ISDEV fraternity. ISDEV members who had just been blessed with a child for at least the past twelve months were each given a gift by ISDEV Director, Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh.

However the highlight of the night was the “Majlis Perpisahan” that had been planned for Dr Miftahurrohim, ISDEV Post-Doctoral Fellow. Before bidding the last farewell to this much revered intellectual who is also a huffaz (memorized the text of the Quran), in quite an emotional speech, Dr Miftah (as he is affectionately known) talked about love and why ISDEV has a special place in him. True to tradition and as a gesture of gratitude, ISDEV presented Dr Miftah with a token of appreciation as well as a farewell cake.

Token of appreciation from ISDEV Director (right) to Dr Miftah

The farewell cake