HECTIC BUT ENJOYABLE (AND HOPEFULLY MEANINGFUL) LIFE

Presenting Shafiza (Master Mixed-Mode graduate 2009) ISDEV Excellent Dissertation Award 2011 during ISDEV Graduate Night, 18 March 2011. She is one of the six Master Mixed-Mode graduates who won the Award.

Still as hectic as usual.

After a week in Medan and Lake Toba  (11 to 17 March) and fulfilling whatever have to be accomplished there - viz. signing of ISDEV-Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) MoU, presenting a paper  at International Seminar on the Application of Islamic Management, launching of ISDEV-Universitas Sumatera Utara-Universitas Medan Area Journal of Islamic Development Politics,  delivering keynote address at the 4th International Workshop on Islamic-Based Development, and leading an intellectual expedition to Lake Toba and Somasir Island in Prapart -, I attended ISDEV Graduation Night in USM a day after arrival in Penang. These were followed by participation in a Regional Conference on Zakat organised by JAWHAR in KL on 22 March, and remained there in KL till yesterday, 25 March, to complete editing work of articles for a series of edited book on the Transformation of Zakat, based on papers presented at ISDEV 5th International Conference on Islamic Development Management (IDMAC10) last December, as well as discussing with potential publishers to publish them.

Even this weekend, since yesterday until Sunday 27 March, I am supposed to be on the top of Gunung Jerai to fulfill an invitation by Pusat Urus Zakat Pulau Pinang for a brainstorming to improve the management of the institution. But as the formal invitation came in a short notice, I am unable to make it. So is another invitation to talk on Economics of Southeast Asia - An Islamic Perspective at a roundtable meeting of the representatives of Southeast Asian countries on Tuesday 29th, also because of short notice.

Yes, a hectic life, but an enjoyable one and hopefully meaningful in the eyes of Allah SWT. Photos below are some of those activities.

25 March 2011 - About to leave Quality Hotel City Centre in KL for Penang after completing editing books on Zakat Transformation and meeting with potential publisher.

23 March 2011 - With PTS Islamika editors Rohidzir and Amirol (3rd and 2nd right respectively) after a meeting on the possibility of publishing books by ISDEV members with them

22 March 2011 - At Regional Zakat Seminar 2011 on Zakat Fund as a Means for Poverty Elimination Amongst Asnaf, at Legend Hotel KL, organised by JAWHAR

17 March 2011 - At Polonia International Airport, Medan, Indonesia with wife, ISDEV Deputy Director Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad and Indonesian brothers, shortly before leaving for Penang

18 March 2011 - Families of ISDEV Graduates at ISDEV Graduate Night 2011

16 March - Dinner at the house of Pak Suhrawardi, the Deputy Rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU)

Visiting Pak Siregar (sitting 2nd right), the Rector of Universitas Pembinaan Masyarakat Indonesia (UPMI), one of ISDEV sympathisers in Medan

15 March - Launching the Journal of Islamic Development Politics (JISDEV), co-published by ISDEV, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) and Universitas Medan Area (UMA) at the 4th International Workshop on Islamic-Based Development (WAPI-4)

15 March - With Dr Zakaria and Dr Zahri at the 4th International Workshop on Islamic-Based Development (WAPI-4)

13 March - ISDEV fraternity at a jetty in Prapat, after boarding off from a boat from Samosir Island

13 March - Impromptu `nashid concert' hosted by ISDEV PhD candidates Syakir and Anwar after dinner at Wisma Wisata Bahari, our accommodation in Prapat. Also performed at the `concert' were ISDEV Alumni Dr Sukiman and graduate students Datuk Chairil Anwar, Taha and Ridzuan

13 March - In front of a hotel on Samosir Island with wife (right), daughter and ISDEV graduates

14 March - Suria, former Aceh Member of Parliament currently pursuing his Master degree at ISDEV, performing an Aceh's song in the bus on our way back to Medan from Prapat

12 March - Presenting a paper at International Conference on Islamic Management Application at UMSU

13 March - ISDEV fraternity on a boat to Samosir Island

13 March - ISDEV Alumni Dr Sukiman of Institut Agama Islam Negeri Medan delivering a tazkirah in the bus on our way to Lake Toba

11 March - ISDEV Deputy Director Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad (3rd left) with my family members at Penang International Airport before leaving for Medan, Indonesia

12 March - Signing of Memorandum of Cooperation between ISDEV and UMSU, represented by me and UMSU Rector Drs Agussani respectively at the International Conference on Islamic Management Application