ACEH MISSION 5: DIALOGUES WITH GRADUATE STUDENTS OF THE IAIN AR-RANIRY

Dialogue on tsunami

In Aceh, ISDEV Master (Mixed Mode) students also had an opportunity to involve in a dialogue with graduate students of Institut Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN) Ar-Raniry in Banda Aceh. The topic of the dialogue was `Tsunami'.

Sisters Nur Illani and Azirah reperesented the ISDEV Mixed Mode Master students (left) while two brothers represented the IAIN Ar-Raniry (right). It was indeed a valuable experience for both of the ISDEV sisters.

Associate Professor Dr Abdul Fatah Che Hamat (right) represented me to present a souvenir to the representative of the graduate students of the IAIN Ar-Raniry

After the occasion

ACEH MISSION 4: UNDERSTANDING DEVELOPMENT APPROACH OF THE POST-TSUNAMI ACEH FROM BAPPEDA

BAPEDDA's Secretary Dr. Warqah Helmi on the development approach of the post-tsunami Aceh

During the trip to Aceh, a visit to Aceh Development Planning Agency (Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Daerah Aceh, BAPPEDA) was also done and a dialogue was held with BAPEDDA's Secretay Dr Bapak Dr. Warqah Helmi and his staff to learn and understand about development approach that have been undertaken by the Aceh authority after the tsunami.

We were told that there are seven priorities formulated by BAPPEDA in developing the post-tsunami Aceh. They are as follows:

1. Empowerment of the economic of the society, enhancement of employment and reduction of poverty;
2. Development and rehabilitation of infrastructure and energy resources as enabler to investment;
3. Enhancement of the quality of education and just learning opportunities;
4. Enhancement of the quality and just health facilities;
5. Development of Islamic Shari`ah, social and culture;
6. Creation of good, clean and healthy governance ;
7. Handling and reduction of the risk of disasters.

I extended my conviction of the necessity to reconstruct post-tsunami Aceh through Islamic-based development and outlined the principles embedded in it. It was well-received. Both parties hoped to keep in touch for any further cooperation.

Before the dialogue

After the dialogue: Dr Warqah explaining about the souvenir he was about to give to me

In front of BAPEDDA's office: Before leaving BAPPEDA for another program at IAIN Ar-Raniry

ACEH MISSION 3: WISATA SPIRITUAL TSUNAMI MISDEV10

Tha banner of the Wisata Spiritual Tsunami Aceh

One of the main missions to Aceh on the 9th until 12th October was to visit tsunami-affected locations with the view to share the suffering of the victims, feel the greatness of Allah swt, and observe how post-tsunami Aceh has been reconstructed. All these were to relate to the Islamic tasawur as is thought in Islamic Epistemology and Tasawur course taken by the ISDEV Master (Mixed Mode) students, who were also the organizers of the trip.

The tsunami-affected locations visited and other activities related to the Wisata Spiritual Tsunami are reflected in the following photos.

The bus that ferried us around Aceh

At Masjid Raya which was saved by Allah swt from the tsunami

At one of the mass graveyards accommodating around 146,000 tsunami victims

A boat that trapped on the second floor of one of the houses during tsunami and saved 59 lives

In front of Mesjid Baiturrahman, another mosque miraculously saved by Allah swt in spite of its short distance from the sea and the area around it was devastated tremendously

Entrance to the grave of one of the great Islamic scholars in Aceh, Syiah Kuala

The grave of Syiah Kuala which was not affected by the tsunami although very near to the sea and the surroundings were destroyed by tsunami almost completely

`Kapal Terapong' (Floating Ship), originally an off-shore electrical supplier, brought by tsunami kilometres away to the land

ISDEV normal practice: Congregational fajr prayer at students' accommodation at the Mess Bank Indonesia

Another ISDEV normal tradition: Tazkirah after every congregational prayers

Reflection on the Wisata Spiritual Tsunami before leaving back for Penang

Another reflection by brothers

ACEH MISSION 2: SIGNING OF MOU WITH IAIN AR-RANIRY

Dr Nazaruddin A. Wahid, the Dean of the Faculty of Shari`ah, IAIN Ar-Raniry (left) and me signing the MoU at the Opening Ceremony of the International Conference on Islamic Economics and Finance, 11 October 2010

During the trip to Aceh, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) also has been signed between ISDEV and the Faculty of Shari'ah, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry, Banda Aceh. The programs planned in this MoU are as follows:

1. Academic visits incorporating short term visits of Scholars including visiting lecturer and external assesor/examiner;   
2. Joint research and development activities, including assistance with the development of relevant centers within each University; 
3. Participation and co-sponsoring of international conferences, seminars, workshops and academic meetings
4. Upgrading knowledge of lecturers through continuing professional development (CPD), post-doctoral program and sabbatical leave programmes;    
5.  Exchange students at the undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Exchanging gifts after the signing ceremony

ACEH MISSION 1: SPEECH ON ISLAMIC-BASED DEVELOPMENT FOR POST-TSUNAMI ACEH

Speech during the Closing Ceremony of the Conference

At the Aceh's International Conference on Islamic Economics and Finance organized by the Faculty of  Shari`ah of the Institut Agama Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry, I talked on `Islamic-Based Development for Post-Tsunami Aceh: A Theoretical Construct', while Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad spoke on `Total Quality Management (TQM) in Islamic Financial Institutions: Can It?'.

Speech on the Islamic-Based Development for Post-Tsunami Aceh

Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad on TQM in Islamic Financial Institutions

In my speech, three main points were put forward.

Firstly, I expressed my conviction that Aceh must develop via an Islamic-based development strategy for four reasons. First, Aceh is a Muslim majority province; second, Aceh has proven to be able to become a strong Islamic government with outstanding civilization during 16-17th Century and there is a great possibility to revive it; third, Aceh used to be blessed with Islamic rulers and fighters whose spirit are definitely still around within the hearts of the post-tsunami Acehnese; and post-tsunami Aceh is facing with huge challenges from exogenous systems and cultures which could only be overcome by Islam.

Secondly, I briefly overviewed the development approaches in Aceh after tsunami and concluded that they could be hardly considered as Islamic-based development approaches.


Thirdly, I outlined a theoretical construct of the Islamic-based development approach for post-tsunami Aceh, consisting of 7 principles, viz. the mould is Islamic tasawwur, the actors are servants and vicegerent of God, the time-scale includes pre-birth, present and Hereafter worlds, the framework is obligatory knowledge (fard `ain), the methodology is ibadah, the means is the natural resources, and the ultimate aim is the pleasure of Allah (mardhatillah).

MULTI-MISSIONS IN ACEH, 9-12 OCTOBER 2010

At Penang International Airport before flying with Firefly to Aceh

Just arrived home safely from Aceh three days ago, after being there for four days, from 9 to 12 October 2010. With me were 4 lecturers, 6 Phd students, and 14 Master (Mixed Mode) students of ISDEV, totalling 25 altogether.

The aims were many, as follows:

1. Accompanying the Master students in their Wisata Spiritual Tsunami which includes a tour to places related to tsunami, a discussion with Aceh Development Planning Agency (Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Daerah Aceh, BAPEDDA), and a discussion between ISDEV Master students and postgraduate students of Institut Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN) Ar-Raniry;

2. Signing a Memorandum of Understanding between ISDEV and the Faculty of Shari`ah of the Institut Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN) Ar-Raniry, Banda Aceh;

3. Fulfilling an invitation from the Faculty of Shari`ah, IAIN Ar-Raniry, together with ISDEV Deputy Director Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad, to speak at its International Seminar on Islamic Economics and Finance; and

4. Establishing networking with important figures in Aceh.

The details of each of the missions will follow in subsequent postings, InshaAllah.

Briefing by Sis Ilani Mat Nawi, the Secretary of the Trip Committee at Penang International Airport before boarding the flight

Received at Aceh International Airport by Dr Nazaruddin A. Wahid, the Dean of the Faculty of Shari`ah of the IAIN Ar-Raniry (extreme right) and Bapak H. Syamsunan Mahmud, the Ketua Dewan Pertimbangan, Aceh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2nd from right)

Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad (4th from right) with MISDEV10 students at Aceh International Airport

Mess Bank Indonesia, the accommodation at which our graduate students stayed



On arrival at the Bank Indonesia Mess

Wisma Lampriek beside the Mess Bank Indonesia, where ISDEV lecturers stayed

Lounge at the Wisma Lampriek







KEYNOTE SPEECH AT AMRON CONFERENCE, NAKHON SI THAMMARAT

Delivering the keynote speech on `Strategizing Islamic Education'

Alhamdulillah, another task completed - a keynote speech at 1st AMRON International Conference themed ASEAN Islamic Education - Change From Within Through  Education, held at Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand on 2-3 October 2010. The title of my speech was `Strategizing Islamic Education'.

I put forward two main points in this keynote speech. Firstly, that we should not worry too much about the numbers of  Islamic education institutions nowadays as they are mushrooming everywhere, both in Muslim and minority-Muslim worlds. What should be worried is the strategy to attain the maximum accomplishment of the aims of these institutions. Secondly, there are at least three main components of the strategy that should be taken into account seriously, viz. the management method of the Islamic education, the teaching-learning method that has been adopted, and the approaches taken to realize the goals of the Islamic education.

I expressed my conviction that the management method must be fully Islamic, deeply rooted in Islamic own's philosophical and epistemological underpinnings; the teaching-learning method should not ignore the `heart-to-heart' method; and the approach has to do away with imitation, benchmarking and competition - the three likened attitudes of many Muslims that ascertain them to be eternal followers rather than innovative leaders.

Opening Ceremony (R-L): Myself, President of Walailak University Associate Professor Dr Thai Tipsuwannakul, Secretary General of ASEAN Dr Surin Pitsuwan, & Professor Sir Azyumardi Azra of Universiti Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah, Jakarta, Indonesia

Parts of the participants, altogether totalling more than a thousand

Another six ISDEV members too participated in the Conference by presenting their respective papers: Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad, Dr Zakaria Bahari, Dr Zahri Hamat, Dr Mohammad Zaini Abu Bakar, Dr Masakaree Ardae @ Nik Wan Muhammad Syukri, and Ustaz Shukri Hanapi.

ISDEVdelegates with Br. Hasni (extreme right) of Sekolah Menengah Islam al-Amin, Gombak at Twin Lotus Hotel, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand where the guests of the Conference stayed

The Conference also saw the declaration of the establishment of ASEAN Muslim Research Organisation Network (AMRON), signed by representatives from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, Phillipines, and Cambodia. I was appointed as the representative of Malaysia to sign the declaration, together with the  other respective representatives of the ASEAN member countries. ISDEV was honoured to be recognized as one of the founding members of AMRON, apart from Walailak University, Yala Islamic University, Chulalongkorn University, Prince Songkla Universdity, and Curriculum Reform for Pondok Project.

The signing ceremony, witnessed by ASEAN Secretary General Dr Surin Pitsuwan

The organisation of the Conference and the establishment of AMRON has been initiated and supported strongly by Secretary General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, who was with us all along during the Conference. He has also hosted a dinner at his Pondok Bantan and a breakfast at another branch of his pondok.

With ASEAN Secretary General Dr Surin Pitsuwan (middle) and ISDEV's Ustaz Shukri Hanapi (right)

With Assistant Professor Dr Chairat Siripatana, Principal Coordinator of AMRON and Chairman of the Conference's Organizing Committee

Distinguished speakers and guests of the Conference from ASEAN member countries