CALL FOR PAPERS - ZAKAT TRANSFORMATION

Proud that ISDEV is announcing its another International Conference, the third ISDEV International Conference for the year. It is The 5th ISDEV International Conference on Islamic Development Management (IDMAC10) - to be held on 21-22 December 2010, themed Zakat Transformation: From Subsistence to Productive Zakat (http://isdev.usm.my/or http://isdevidmac10.wordpress.com/).

Prior to this, ISDEV had its 3rd annual International Workshop on Islamic Development (WAPI3) in Medan, Indonesia, co-organised with Universitas Muhammadiyyah Sumatera Utara (http://isdev.usm.my/view.asp?idnews=800&idcat=8). 48 ISDEV delegates from Universiti Sains Malaysia were there to pesent their respective papers.

The second and the nearest to be held, on 21-22 September 2010 at Universiti Sains Malaysia, would be the 5th ISDEV International Graduate Workshop (INGRAW10). More than 70 papers have been accepted to be presented at the Workshop (http://isdev.usm.my/ or http://isdevingraw10.wordpress.com/). All presenters are graduates who are pursuing their post-graduate studies at various universities. They are only allowed to present their respective papers alone, by themselves, not with any co-author, even with their supervisors. The Workshop is only meant and designed for the post-graduate students, for them to have a real experience by themselves.

The latest announcement of the ISDEV third International Conference for this year that has just been released is as follows. All are invited to participate.

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CALL FOR PAPERS

The 5th ISDEV International Conference on Islamic Development Management (IDMAC10)

 ZAKAT TRANSFORMATION: FROM SUBSISTENCE TO PRODUCTIVE ZAKAT

21-22 December 2010 at University Conference Hall, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
Organizer: Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV), Universiti Sains Malaysia

Who Should Participate

Those who have or are interested in innovative new ideas to transform the implementation of zakat from the existing subsistence level to a more productive level. It intends to blend the innovative ideas to move the distribution and usage of zakat beyond merely the present cul-de-sac state, to a dynamic state that entails with reproductive effects among the asnaf. The scope of the ideas may include fiqh consideration, procedures, practices, administration, management, calculation, system, politics, and other relevant issues.

Important Dates

Submission of Abstract : 15 October 2010
Notification of Abstract Acceptance : 21 October 2010
Submission of Full Paper : 21 November 2010
Registration : 21 December 2010

Language

English or Arabic or Malay

Further Details

http://isdev.usm.my
http://isdevidmac10.wordpress.com

Contacts

Dr Zakaria Bahari (bzak@usm.my) Tel: +(6) 04 653 2664 Mobile; +6 013 4281960
Dr Zahri Hamat (zahri@usm.my) - Tel: +(6) 04 653 2800 Mobile: +6 019 4727353

ON MHI TV3

Listening to questions from MHI host, Fitri

As scheduled, at about 7.30 am today - Friday 20 August 2010 - three of us appeared on TV3. Puan Nor Zanah of Yayasan Nurul Yaqeen, Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad of USM, and myself were interviewed about Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin Best Thesis Award by celebrated host Fitri on TV3 Malaysia Hari Ini (MHI) programme.

The airtime was 12:28 minutes and three of us were asked two questions each. In the usual short duration, Fitri had managed to put forward questions that entailed with answers embracing almost all basic information about the Award. Fitri was really an expert at this.

This was my first experience appearing on a TV programme. Years ago, I used to be asked to appear on a TV to be interviewed about my then just-published book. But it did not come into reality as the way I dressed was not compatible to the dress code of the TV, so I was told. They did not want people with turban or religious cap (kopiah) to appear on their TV.

TV3 however seems to be more open. They told Yayasan Nurul Yaqeen officer who arranged for today’s programme that they did not mind me wearing the kopiah.

Minutes after the programme, I received numbers of sms responding to our appearance on the MHI. One of them commented: “…Begitu tenang dan mendamaikan…”. I did not really know what made our appearance “tenang” and “mendamaikan”. Was it because of my kopiah? Part of it, perhaps, if not all?

To view the interview, visit ISDEV Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001080971390

APPEARANCE ON MHI TV3

If everything goes as scheduled, on Friday morning 20 August 2010, I will appear on Malaysia Hari Ini (MHI) of the TV3 to be interviewed on Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin Best Thesis Award.

Together with me will be the Director of Yayasan Nurul Yaqeen Puan Nor Zanah Jamri and ISDEV Deputy Director Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad. The former will be there as the spsonsor of the Award, while the latter as the winner of the Award in 2009. I will be there as the Chairman of the Award.

The program was scheduled as part of the promotion for the nomination for the Award. The nomination deadline is 31 August 2010. For further details of the Award, please visit ISDEV website at http://isdev.usm.my/

MEDAN MISSIONS ACCOMPLISHED

ISDEV delegates to Medan, Indonesia

Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Allah swt, my missions in Medan during ISDEV trip from 1st to 7th August, were accomplished successfully. Deliverance of keynote address at Wokrsyop Antarbangsa Pembangunan Islam (WAPI3), participation in PhD Proposal Presentation by Marlina and Datuk Khairil Anwar, deliverance of panel speech at International Seminar on Dakwah in Higher Learning Institutions, and intellectual trip to Lake Toba happened accordingly as scheduled.

Most significant in these missions was the efficient organisation of ISDEV Graduate students in Medan who hosted all the four events. For the third time, they collectively served ISDEV 48 lecturers and graduate students delegate from Malaysia in a brotherly and loving atmosphere, not only in the above four academic activities, but also in social activities such as shopping at Pajak Ikan Lama, Wali Songo and Gramedia bookshops in Medan, Tomok in Somasir Island, Prapart, and hosting dinners and lunches at prestigious restaurants such as Garuda in Medan and Pacific Ocean in Belawan, and at private houses of alumni and graduate students Datuk Khairil Anwar, Farid Wajdi, Heri Kusmanto, Dr Sukiman and Suhrawardi Lubis.

The trip also was filled with congregation prayers followed by tazkirah, especially after maghrib and fajr prayers. One important decision made during one of the discussion in one of the tazkirah was the colour of the dress to be wore by ISDEV members. For the male, white is encouraged while for the female, it is black or other not-too-bright colours. In formal occasions such as prayers, religious classes and iftar gathering, male members are encouraged to wear white long dress (jubah). Interestingly, immediately after the consensus, some ISDEV members of the entourage were seen to have practised it accordingly.

Apart from the new consensus, other existing practices such as sujud syukur and hugging each other after  each congregation prayers were also done. ISDEV Waqf Fund in Medan was also collected among the ISDEV Malaysian delegate and delivered to its coordinator Al-Umry by Helmi.

My 56th birthday were also surprisingly celebrated in two occasions; first on the first night at Datuk Khairil Anwar's house and second on the last night at Dr Sukiman's house during dinners. Two birthday cakes were prepared and cut respectively.

An introductory speech at International Seminar on Dakwah at Higher Learning Institutions

Delivering keynote adress at WAPI-3

Presenting a speech on Strategising Dakwah in Higher Learning Institutes

Phd Proposal Presentation by Datuk Khairil (far left) and Marlina (far right)

Parts of participants of the WAPI3

Helmy (right) on behalf of ISDEV delegates, contributing to ISDEV Cash Waqf Fund in Medan to its Co-Ordinator, Pak Al-Umry (left) 

Entertained by Marhaban Group at a dinner hosted by Dr Sukiman

Cutting birthday cake during a dinner at Dr Sukiman's house 

Wherever we went, congregation prayer was held together

Listening to Tazkirah after Fajr prayer

Extra activity: Fahimy massaging my tiring leg, watched by Syakir whose turn was over

PROGRAM TERDEKAT ISDEV

Dalam dua minggu terdekat ini, ISDEV akan mengadakan program-program berikut:

JUMAAT, 13 OGOS 2010
9.00 PAGI HINGGA 10.30 PAGI
SEMINAR PASCA-DOKTORAL ISDEV
BILIK MESYUARAT C05

Tajuk: PENGARUH KONFLIK PEMIKIRAN IMAM ABU HANIFAH DAN IMAM SYAFI'I
Pembentang: DR. MIFTAHUR ROHIM

JUMAAT, 13 OGOS 2010
10.30 PAGI HINGGA 12.30 TENGAHARI
WACANA SISWAZAH ISDEV - PEMBENTANGAN PROPOSAL PHD
BILIK MESYUARAT C05

Nama Calon: MUHAMMAD YASIR YUSUF
Tajuk Proposal: TANGGUNGJAWAB SOSIAL KORPORAT BANK ISLAM: ANALISIS TERHADAP PERSEPSI PEMEGANG BERKEPENTINGAN BANK ISLAM DI ACEH
Penyelia: DR. ZAKARIA BAHARI
Penyelia Bersama: DR. ZAHRI HAMAT
Penilai Bahagian: PROF. MADYA DR. ABDUL FATAH CHE HAMAT

KHAMIS, 19 OGOS 2010
9.00 PAGI HINGGA 10.30 PAGI
WACANA SISWAZAH ISDEV - PEMBENTANGAN TESIS PHD
BILIK PERSIDANGAN SAINS KEMASYARAKATAN, BANGUNAN C23

Nama Calon: MUHAMMAD TAHIR
Tajuk Tesis: KAEDAH DAN APLIKASI TAZKIYAH AL-NAFS DALAM PEMBANGUNAN BERTERASKAN ISLAM: KAJIAN KES KOPERASI PONDOK PESANTREN (KOPENTREN) DAARUT TAUHIID, BANDUNG, INDONESIA
Penyelia: PROFESOR MUHAMMAD SYUKRI SALLEH
Penyelia Bersama: DR. MOHAMAD ZAINI ABU BAKAR
Penilai: DR. ZAHRI HAMAT


KHAMIS, 19 OGOS 2010
10.30 PAGI HINGGA 12.00 TENGAHARI
WACANA SISWAZAH ISDEV - PEMBENTANGAN PROPOSAL PHD
BILIK PERSIDANGAN SAINS KEMASYARAKATAN, BANGUNAN C23

Nama Calon: SUNARYO
Tajuk Tesis: PENGARUH KEPATUHAN BERAGAMA, KUALITI PERKHIDMATAN, KEPERCAYAAN DAN KEPUASAN TERHADAP KESETIAAN PELANGGAN MUSLIM DI BANK SYARIAH MALANG, INDONESIA
Penyelia: DR. ZAKARIA BAHARI
Penyelia Bersama: DR. FADZILA AZNI AHMAD
Penilai Bahagian: PROF. MADYA DR. ABDUL FATAH CHE HAMAT


JUMAAT, 20 OGOS 2010
3.00 PETANG HINGGA 5.00 PETANG
PENYELIAAN SISWAZAH BULANAN ISDEV
DEWAN BANQUET USM

Tajuk: PERNYATAAN MASALAH KAJIAN
Pembentang: DR. ZAKARIA BAHARI

JUMAAT, 20 OGOS 2010
7.00 PETANG HINGGA 11.00 MALAM
MAJLIS BERBUKA PUASA, SOLAT TARAWIH BERJEMAAH DAN JAMUAN PERPISAHAN FELO PASCA-DOKTORAL ISDEV - DR. MIFTAHUR ROHIM
DEWAN BANQUET USM

I AM 56 YEARS OLD TODAY

With my wife at the `birthday dinner'

It is my 56th birthday today, 1 August 2010. Last night, a former student of mine has treated me and my family for a `birthday dinner' at a prestigious hotel. Starting from midnight, call and sms as well as fb messages came in from children, relative and student wishing me `happy birthday' accompanied by all sorts of very nice doa. It was really a lovely and joyful evening. Many thanks to all wishers.

And on the very day of my birthday today, together with 48 ISDEV lecturers and graduate students, I am flying to Medan, Indonesia to fulfill various invitations: to deliver a keynote address at Worksyop Antarabangsa Pembangunan Berteraskan Islam Ke-3 (WAPI3) on 2 August, to participate in a Phd Proposal Presentation on 3 August, to be a panel speaker at International Seminar on Islamic Development Management on 4 August,  and to have an  intellectual tour to Lake Toba on 5-6 August. We will be back to Penang only on the 7 August, InshaAllah.

Our entourage will be joined by about 15 more ISDEV Indonesian graduate students residing in Medan. This is not included about 20 more ISDEV graduate students in Penang who are not able to join us.

Calculating the number of ISDEV members and programmes that grows day by day would definitely make you some how or rather happy and thankful. But is this the only accomplishment that I manage to attain during 56 years of my age?

Such a contemplation is worrying indeed, for I know that I have not done enough for Allah swt, as is compared to my age. There are a lot more that I have not done, and therefore need to do during the coming days/years of my life.

Allah, forgive me and please help me to do more.

With youngest child, Ummu Habibah at the dinner

SPOKEN AT 4TH NATIONAL SEMINAR ON HAJJ BEST PRACTICES

Tuesday 27 July 2010 marked my first public speech given 10 days after coming back from long vacation abroad. Invited by the organiser to deliver a speech for the second time at their  annual 4th National Seminar on Hajj Best Practices Through Advances in Sciences and Technology, I spoke on the Hajj and the Penetration of Capitalism. This is a sort of a continuation to my first solicited speech entitled Trans-Dimensional Research on Hajj at their 3rd  Seminar last year.

While my last year's speech was trying to attract the attention of the participants-cum-researchers on Hajj to the necessities of upholding the ultimate aim of Hajj, that is the mardhatillah, this year's speech was a reminder not to allow the research on sciences and technology that attempt to facilitate the process of Hajj to become an effective door for the penetration of capitalism and its culture into Makkah and Madinah.

Last year I said as follows [in English]:

"Easing the works of the hujjaz in their hajj through our researches, but at the same time ignoring the probable erosion of the feelings of collectiveness, togetherness, universalism, unity, equality, altruistic activity and the likes, would be definitely meaningless and infact sinful. Our efforts in suggesting adequate and comfortable accommodation, education, food, water, health and sanitation, ground transportation, and public safety and security – to mention a few - for the hujjaz through our researches must therefore seriously be taken into consideration the need to strengthen the relationship between Allah and human beings (hablum-minallah) and the relationship between human beings themselves (hablum-minannas). Our scientific and technological findings and suggestions therefore could not be forwarded in isolation from the ultimate aim of the hajj itself, that is the mardhatillah and al-falah. Instead, the scientific and technological suggestions must contribute to the accomplishment of the mardhatillah and al-falah, expressed in the achievement of hajj mabrur".

This year, I talked on the points as below [written and delivered in Malay]:

PENGENALAN

1.  Terima kasih jemput bagi ucapan

2.   Ini kali kedua dijemput, rasa diraikan

3.   Walau tidak terlibat dalam penyelidikan Haji, tapi pihak penganjur memberi peluang kepada institusi Islam di USM – Pusat Islam dan Pusat Kajian Pengurusan Pembangunan Islam (ISDEV) mengemukakan ucapan dan barangkali juga saranan.

UCAPAN SAYA TAHUN LEPAS

1.   Mengemukakan 3 perkara yang dikira penting:

i.   Haji bersifat trans-dimensi yang boleh diistilahkan sebagai pembangunan
ii.  Matlamat terakhir pembangunan trans-dimensi ini ialah mardhatillah, keredhaan Allah swt
iii.  Penyelidikan yang dilakukan, terutamanya tentang penggunaan sains dan  teknologi dalam haji, jangan harus menghakis pencapaian mardhatillah dan elemen-elemen dalam proses tersebut.

2.   Secara lebih khusus, saya sarankan:

Memudahkan kerja-kerja haji melalui penyelidikan sains dan teknologi jangan mengabaikan kemungkinan-kemungkinan penghakisan rasa kolektif, bersama, universal, perpaduan, kesamaan, aktiviti altruistik dan sebagainya. Penemuan dan saranan saintifik penyelidikan kita jangan terpisah dari matlamat akhir haji, iaitu mencapai mardhatillah dan al-falah.

SARANAN SAYA TAHUN INI

1.    Premis: Penglibatan sdr/i membuat penyelidikan untuk mencari amalan terbaik haji melalui kemajuan sains dan teknologi cukup baik sekali. Sdr/i bertuah kerana dipilih Allah swt memberi sumbangan kepada amalan Rukun Islam yang kelima ini.

2.    Tetapi seperti saranan saya tahun lepas, kena hati-hati:

Tahun lepas: Penyelidikan untuk amalan terbaik melalui sains dan teknologi itu jangan sampai menghakis hablumminallah dan habulminannas, sehingga kesan kerohanian terhadap para jemaah haji tidak terasa lagi. Sains dan teknologi, tanpa nilai kerohanian, adalah mekanistik?

3.    Tahun ini: Penyelidikan untuk amalan terbaik melalui sains dan teknologi jangan sampai memberi peluang kepada kapitalisme meruntuhkan nilai-nilai Islam.

         i.    Haji itu sendiri melibatkan perniagaan dan kapital yang besar [Arab Saudi satu-satunya negara yang punya perniagaan dan industri pelancongan yang lestari]
 ii.   Antara produk perniagaan dan industri pelancongan ialah produk-produk yang berasaskan sains dan teknologi

iii.  Sains dan teknologi didominasi oleh para kapitalis

iv.   Sains dan teknologi memberi peluang kepada penetrasi kapitalisme

v.    Dunia kapitalis dan kapitalisme didominasi oleh golongan bukan Islam

vi.   Kapitalis dan kapitalisme tidak hanya datang dengan sains dan teknologi, tetapi juga 

       dengan budaya/stail kehidupan, misalnya: Starbuck dan KFC di sebelah Masjidil 

       Nabawi, Hotel-hotel mewah di sekeliling Masjid Nabawi dan Masjidil Haram – 

       bagaimana boleh pastikan tidak ada perbuatan tidak Islamik tidak berlaku, 

       terutamanya dalam hotel-hotel mewah tersebut?

vii.  Dalam dominasi kapitalisme itu, terdapat golongan pengemis dan peniaga-peniaga 

       `haram’ – bagaimana seharusnya penyelesaian?

RUMUSAN

1.    Penyelidikan sdr/i cukup penting dan diperlukan

2.    Sains dan teknologi penting dalam memudahkan pekerjaan haji

3.    Ia juga penting untuk mencapai maksud kemanusiaan (habluminannas)   haji, misalnya perpaduan [berinteraksi walau pelbagai bangsa] dan   sebagainya

4.    Namun begitu, ia mesti seboleh mungkin mengelak dari kesan-kesan negatif kapitalisme, bukan sahaja perniagaannya, tetapi juga budaya yang dibawanya.