CALL FOR PAPERS FOR IDMAC 2014 - ISLAMIC POLITICAL ECONOMY

The Call for Papers for the 8th ISDEV International Conference on Islamic Development Management (IDMAC 2014) is now out. IDMAC is an ISDEV annual researched-Conference. Alhamdulillah, it is now going into its 8th year this year.

The IDMAC's theme for this year is Islamic Political Economy, a relatively new discipline that ISDEV wishes to enhance.

In this year's IDMAC, ISDEV hopes to provide a platform for a meeting of minds to further develop this discipline. This is in line with a course named Islamic Political Economy offered by ISDEV for its Master Mixed Mode (MISDEV) students and a research on The Politics of Islamic Development Strategies being undertaken by ISDEV at the moment.

For further details, see http://idmac2014.blogspot.com/ 

EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF TERENGGANU ISLAMIC AND MALAY CUSTOMS COUNCIL(MAIDAM)

I feel honoured to have been appointed by Islamic and Malay Custom Council of the State of Terengganu (MAIDAM) as one of the Founders and Directors in the Board of Directors of MAIDAM Education Foundation, since February this year.

This is another opportunity to contribute to my own State, after previously participated in the State's academic activities via Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) as a Visiting Professor of the Faculty of Economics and Business Management and Honorary Fellow of the Research Institute of Islamic Products and Civilization (INSPIRE), and in development via KETENGAH, Office of Chief Minister, State's Economic Planning Unit and Terengganu Development Institute in dealing with the formulation and realisation of strategic plans known as Wawasan SIHAT and Islam Hadhari Terengganu Bestari.

The first meeting of the Founders and Directors of the Foundation's Board of Directors was held at Grand Dorsett Hotel in Subang Jaya on Friday, 10 October 2014.

APEX LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

On Thursday 9 October 2014, I was together with other USM Heads of Departments at Bukit Merah Lake Resort to participate in APEX Leadership Programme organised by USM Human Transformation Centre.

The programme was held till Saturday 11 October, but unfortunately, I have to fly to Kuala Lumpur early morning of the second day of the programme to attend a meeting in Subang Jaya.

ISDEV QURBAN FEAST

On the second Eid ul-Adha, Wednesday 8 October 2014, ISDEV held a Qurban lunch specially for the staff of the USM Chancellory (Vice-Chancellor's Office, Registrar Department, Bursary, Human Resource, Public Relations Office, Admission Department, Human Transformation Centre, etc). Foods for 400 guests were prepared and finished completely, Alhamdulillah.

Guests of Honour were Vice-Chancellor, Deputies Vice-Chancellor, Bursar and Heads of Departments at the Chancellory building.

BANDUNG TRIP 19-23 AUGUST 2014

The participants

After 3 days coming home from Aceh, I flew to Bandung on August 19 for another occasion.

This time is to fulfill an invitation from Universitas Islam Bandung (UNISBA) to talk on "The Principles of Islamic-Based" at The Training of Islamic Development Economics. Together with me was ISDEV Deputy Director Dr Zakaria Bahari.

Apart from participating in the Training, we had also a chance to have a meeting on an Islamic Development Bank research project on Islamic Sustainable Development, attended a dinner hosted by UNISBA's Rector at his residence, visited Darut Tauhid which is famous of its Heart (Qolbu) Management approach that led to a successful business achievements, and met Erin Ramadhan, my former student who is now a successful businesss man, especially as a t-shirt supplier.

Delivering the talk

The IDB project team (from right): Dr Hakimi of Universitas Kebangsaan Malaysia and Dr Atih Rohaeti Dariah of UNISBA (leader) after the meeting at Wisma Dago. Present also was Dr Zakaria Bahari

Dinner hosted by UNISBA's Rector Prof Dr dr Taufiq M. Boesoiri (right) and his wife (left) at their residence at Jalan Setra Murni 4, Sukasari - Sarijadi, Bandung

Discussion with AA Gym, the founder-leader of the Darut Tauhid

With Erin Ramadhan (left) at his t-shirt printing gallery

Flying home on August 23, 2014

ACEH - FIRST OVERSEA TRIP AS A CONTRACT PROFESSOR

Arrived home safely from Aceh Friday August, 15, Alhamdulillah. This was my first trip abroad after retirement and being a contract Professor beginning August, 1.

Together with me were ISDEV Deputy Director Dr Zakaria Bahari and ISDEV Senior Fellow Associate Professor Dr Abdul Fatah Che Hamat. We were there since August 11 to participate in Konferensi Internasional Tentang Zakat Di Dalam Masyarakat Islam - Optimalisasi Zakat Sebagai Pilar Peradaban Islam, organised by Journal of Media Syariah, Acheh Baitul Mal, and Faculty of Shariah and Islamic Economics of  Universiti Islam Negeri (UIN) Ar-Raniry. We also took the opportunity to supervise ISDEV part-time students residing in Acheh.

Paper presentation in progress

Interviewed by media after the presentation

I presented a solicited paper entitled Mengurus Kemiskinan Melalui Zakat: Tiga Realiti Semasa (Managing Poverty via Zakat: Three Contemporary Realities), while Dr Zakaria's entitled Peranan Zakat Dalam Pembangunan Pendidikan Masyarakat: Kajian Kes Zakat Pulau Pinang (The Role of Zakat in Society's Educational Development: The Case of Zakat Pulau Pinang), and Dr Fatah's Transforming Zakat as a Means to Alleviate Poverty: Some Issues and Reflections.

With Aceh Governor dr Zaini Abdullah (on my left with black songkok) after dinner at his Istana Pendopo

For two consecutive nights, we had dinners hosted by Acheh Governor dr Zaini Abdullah and Acheh Mayor Ibu Walikota Eliza Saaduddin Jamal at their respective Pendopo (official residences). We were also treated by ISDEV students with breakfasts at traditional coffee shops with the famous Acheh coffee.

With Ibu Walikota Eliza Saaduddin Jamal and her daughter before dinner at her official residence

60TH BIRTHDAY DOA

I am 60 years old today - embarking into a life of a warga emas ("gold citizen"). As usual, I am showered with wishes and doa (prayers) since 1200 am last night, from family members, alma mater, superiors, subordinates, students, peers, and friends.

A wish from my alma mater, St Cross College of Oxford University

Unlike previous years, the wishes and doa this year come with four greetings at once, that is Happy 60th Birthday, Happy Eid Mubarak, Happy Retirement, and Happy Contract Professor. Yes, today is my 60th birthday, and also the 5th day of Eid-ul-Fitr as well as my first day of retirement and my first day as a Contract Professor (for the coming three years) at Universiti Sains Malaysia, my lifetime university.

Retirement wish from eldest daughter, A'firah

Of all the wishes and doa, one has really touched my heart. It comes from my former student who is now a successful academic at a local university in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. His wish and doa are as follows (in Malay):

Bersempena hari ulangtahun kelahiran Prof pada hari yang mulia ini, hari Jumaat penghulu segala hari, saya mengambil kesempatan ini untuk memanjatkan doa berikut:

Ya Allah Ya Maha Mulia. Muliakanlah guruku Prof Muhammad Syukri Salleh di dunia dan di akhirat. Amat besar jasa guruku dalam mendidikku dan teman-temanku sekalian untuk berhati lurus memperjuangkan kemuliaan Islam. Hindarilah guruku dari segala bahaya. Anugerahilah guruku segala kemudahan jasmani dan rohani untuk melaksanakan usaha dakwah. Panjangkanlah usia guruku diiringi kesihatan tubuh badan buat bekal berjuang di jalan-Mu. Ampunilah segala kesalahan dan kekhilafan guruku. Amal baikku sebagaimana didikan guruku mudah-mudahan mengalirlah jua manfaat buat guruku yang tersayang. Duhai Ilahi dengarlah rintihanku......