IIITESEA and RMC IIUM Announce Strategic Research Project on “Islamic Perspectives on Modern Disciplines: A Survey of Literature in Selected Topics and Discipline Areas”

The mastery of modern disciplines is considered as a necessary step towards Islamisation of Knowledge.  In the first edition of “Islamization of Knowledge: General Principles and Workplan”, Ismail al Faruqi (1982) lists five important objectives of Islamisation of Knowledge. These include (1) To master the modern disciplines, (2) To master the Islamic legacy, (3) To establish the specific relevance of Islam to each area of modern knowledge (4) To seek ways for creative synthesis between the legacy and modern knowledge and (5) To launch Islamic thought on the trajectory which leads it to fulfillment of the divine patterns of Allah (SWT).   

According to Al Faruqi, the process towards achieving would entail a serious endeavour on the part of Muslim scholars to research and write on the genesis and historical development of each discipline, highlighting the contributions made by their great votaries. Al Faruqi suggests that these surveys should be accompanied by annotated bibliographies of the most important works to constitute a base of common understanding “on the identity, history, topography and frontiers” of the disciplines for specialists to Islamize (p.39).  AbdulHamid AbuSulayman (1988) expanded the Workplan with a comprehensive explanation on each step. AbuSulayman emphasized on the importance of mastery of both Islamic thought and modern Western sciences as Muslim scholars pass through the stage of contemplation towards developing methodologies for further development of Islamized knowledge. This methodology will be essential for development of knowledge as well as ensure successes in material and spiritual development. AbuSulayman noted that for this process to succeed, the institute should “work on preparing a comprehensive survey of modern sciences, especially the basic social sciences and humanities” to provide “a brief account of each science and outline its main issues methodology and achievements”. This, he noted, would provide a basic reference work for Muslim scholars working on Islamisation to have a critical insight on the modern disciplines. (p. 69).

Based on the aspiration of IIIT founders, the International Institute of Islamic Thought East and Southeast Asia office in collaboration with Research Management Centre IIUM, is embarking on an important pioneering project towards building a database for important references (manuscripts, journal articles, book chapters, etc.) that present an Islamic perspective on selected academic disciplines and/or subdisciplines. The aim of this project is twofold. First, to systematically search and identify as many good reading materials as possible in each specific discipline and categorise them based on the subdisciplines that they may be relevant. This list of materials will serve as a starting point for young and new researchers who wish to conduct research on Islamic perspectives in their respective specialisations. Secondly, to prepare and organize a substantial and exhaustive collection of useful reading materials on Islamic topics which will help to assess our current state of research and scholarship in Islamic related disciplines and to identify areas where more attention needs to be focused for future research activities. Third, this project will provide our experts in different fields to contribute their knowledge and expertise to review some of the important discipline-based Islamic works. These reviews and discussion papers would serve as guides to young scholars, researchers and students. The review/discussion papers (and where appropriate the papers selected for the reviews) will be compiled and published and made available to students, researchers and the public to promote and facilitate further research in Islamic related subjects and disciplines.  For further information, please kindly write to iiit.eastasia@gmail.com. 

E-Books Published by Perbadanan Kota Buku

Perbadanan Kota Buku (https://kotabuku.my) has been one of IIITESEA main partners in publishing book online. Kota Buku is a one-stop centre to gather readers, writers and publishers and to help them engage with each other in various book-related activities. It was inspired in line with the ambitions of the National Book Policy that recommends an establishment of a “Book City” in Malaysia with a vision to become the ideal agency in the development of the nation’s book industry, covering the aspect of capacity building, content trade, technology enabler, and book related activities

For 2021-2022, we have published the following books:

Social Sciences
1. Fundamentals of Islamic Aqidah by Adibah Abdul Rahim
2. The Quest for Spirituality: Contribution of Tasawwuf to Humanity by Fatimah Abdullah, Amnah Bahari
3. Introductory Readings on Gender Stratification and Inequality in Women and Career: Responses to and Criticism of Western Paradigm by Rohaiza Rokis, Dewan Mahboob Hossain, Chao-Yu Wu
4. Enriching the Islamic Tradition in Research Inquiry by Adlina Ariffin
5. Islam: The Spirit of Creativity by Jamal Ahmed Bashier Badi
6. Modern Muslim Thinker: Life, Thought and Reforms by Adibah Binti Abdul Rahima, Yusuf Ali

Arabic
1. Introduction To Modern Islamic Literature by Munjid Mustafa Bahjat, Muhammad Anwar bin Ahmad, Wan Rusli Bin Wan Ahmad
2. The linguistic issues between Ancient and Modern by Prof Dr Solehah Yaakob
3. Analytical Study on Quranic Discourse by Dr. Radwan Jamal Yousef Elatrash
4. History of Arabic Literature by Rahmah Ahmad Osman
5. Sociolinguistic for University Postgraduate Studies: Approach by Asem Shehadeh Saleh Ali

Economics and Management Sciences
1. Essentials of Management Science: An Islamic Perspective by Rafikul Islam, Wan  Rohaida Wan Husain
2. International Economics and Muslim Countries by Norma Md Saad, Ruzita Mohd Amin
3. Accounting, Auditing and Governance of Islamic Financial Institutions by Dr. Noraini Mohd Ariffin
4. Principles of Marketing from An Islamic Perspective by Ahasanul Haque, Nurhazirah Hashim, Ali Shafiq

Halal Industries
1. Halal Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics by Yumi Zuhanis Has-Yun Hashim, Najihah Mohd Noor
2. Ethics and Toyyiban Concept in Halal Food Products and Services by Betania Kartika
3. Standards and Governance in Halal Industry by Nurrulhidayah, Mohammad Aizat, Nur Azira
4. Halal Food Science and Nutrition by Irwandi Jaswir
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Launch: SCRIPT FOR A BETTER MALAYSIA by Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim

 On 2nd October 2022, Institute Darul Ehsan (IDE) and the Centre for Postnormal Policy and Futures Studies (CPPFS) jointly launched “SCRIPT for a Better Malaysia: An Empowering Vision and Policy Framework for Action” by Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The launching ceremony was held at the Dorsett Grand Subang in Selangor, Malaysia. SCRIPT is an important and timely work that outlines a vision for radical improvement- an evolution where the country moves “beyond the empty and selfish pursuits of power, the myopic prejudices of the past, and the complacent shady money politics” towards a just and fair society in Malaysia which acts for the best interests of the nation and all its people.During the launch, Dato’ Seri Anwar, who is also the President Emeritus of the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), emphasized on the importance of upholding values both among the leaders and the people for shaping and building a thriving and dynamic future for Malaysia. He urged for all Malaysians to unite and work together to ensure that every Malaysian regardless of his or her ethnic, religious or cultural background is treated fairly and justly. SCRIPT as used in the title of the book stands for the shared goal of building a Malaysia which honours the values of sustainability, caring & compassion, respect, innovation, prosperity and mutual trust. SCRIPT, the book explains, is about the commitment to pursue “prosperity within a sustainable and future-oriented framework”.      

IIITESEA and IIUM Press Co-published Two Books

 IIITESEA has been working closely with IIUM Press in conducting workshop for authors and publishing selected books. Recently we have published two books by Dr. Saim Kayadabi and Prof. Dr. M. Asri Abdullah.

In “The State and Policies of an Islamic Government: Siyāsah Shar‘īyyah” Dr Kayadibi examines the concept of state in Islam and the policies of Islamic government. The book is aimed to be a reader for students of sharī‘ah oriented public policy and covers a wide range of topics including the theory of sharī‘ah oriented public policy; governance and the concept of Islamic state; economics and finance affairs in Islamic government; international relations and diplomacy; foundations of Siyāsah Shar‘īyyah and many more. Dr Kayadibi is vastly experienced in the subject matter. He had previously worked and taught in various universities in Malaysia including the International Islamic University Malaysia and the University of Malaya. Dr Kayadibi is currently Professor at the Department of Finance and Banking, Faculty of Business Administration at the University of Karabuk (UNIKA) in Turkey.

In “Halal Entrepreneurship” Mohd Asri Abdullah, Amal Elgharbawy and Md. Siddique E. Azam introduce the concept of “Halalpreneurship” and attempt to integrate Islamic values and principles to different aspects of entreneurship. Written in a simple and accessible language, the book covers a wide range of topics such as history of halalpreneurship; business ethics for halalpreneurs; The marketing aspects of halalpreneurs; Islamic perspective on creativity and innovation; legal challenges in halalpreneurship; integration of Islamic values in entrepreneurship, and many more.  The book covers various theoretical and practical aspects and is a must read for anyone interested in the area.

Workshop on Textbook Writing

On 13 August, 2022 the IIITESEA organised a on textbook writing at its Kuala Lumpur offices in Malaysia. The workshop was conducted by Prof. Dr Abdul Rashid Moten and was attended by around 15 authors who have received grants from IIIT International to write textbooks for various courses currently taught at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). The workshop covered different aspects of Islamisation of knowledge, its meaning, scope and methodological aspects. The textbook writing project is an ongoing project by the IIITESEA and aims at producing textbooks with Islamic perspectives for courses taught in different disciplines at the University. This is a follow-up workshop which was previously organized on 13 July, 2022 conducted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Roosfa Hashim held in Kuala Lumpur.

Workshop on Translation

 On 4 August, 2022, IIITESEA organised a workshop on translation.  The workshop was aimed at providing training to future translators and was conducted by the workshop was conducted by Prof. Abdullah Hassan, a prominent scholar and writer in Malaysia. Those who participated in the workshop are expected to be part of IIITESEA’s team of translators who would help in the translation work of various titles in the near future.

IIITESEA is actively involved in translating much needed literature from English and Arabic into Bahasa Malaysia. The translations are meant to cater for the increasing public demand for scholarly Islamic works in Bahasa Malaysia especially from college and university students who use Bahasa Malaysia as their medium of instruction. These include among others students from state religious institutions such as KUIS, UNISAS and other similar institutions. It is hoped that this translation project would help facilitate academic research among the target audiences as they prepare and commence their postgraduate research and theses. In addition to college students, IIIT also hopes that these publications will help the Malay speaking general public to have access to these useful materials.

IIITESEA and UM Press Collaborate to Publish Translation of Jasser Auda’s “Maqasid Al-Shariah as Philosophy of Islamic Law”

 On 21 September 2022, IIITESEA signed a memorandum of understanding with University Malaya Press to collaborate in publishing books and other related activities.   The MoU between IIITESEA and UM Press was signed by the Director of IIITESEA Prof. Dato’ Mohamad Fauzan bin Noordin and University Malaya’s Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Sabri Musa. The first project in this collaboration will be the publication of the translation of a book by Jasser Auda on “Maqasid Al-Shariah as Philosophy of Islamic Law: A Systems Approach” which will be translated as “Maqasid Syariah Sebagai Falsafah Perundangan Islam.” The book has been translated into Bahasa Malaysia by Dr Muhammad Razak Idris from the Faculty of Islamic Studies at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The book is expected to be published by both the IIIT and UM Press by the first quarter 2023 and is considered as a must read for all scholars and students working on contemporary Islamic studies. Proceeds of the sales of the book will be channelled through UM Waqaf.

In his speech, Prof Dr Sabri expressed his hope for a productive and bright future in the said collaboration. Similarly, Prof. Dato’ Fauzan expressed his hope that the cooperation between the two entities will further be expanded in the future to include other areas beyond publication. He noted that IIITESEA is currently expanding its cooperation in research and publication and regards the UM Press as a highly respected publisher in Malaysia. The cooperation between the two institutions is expected to facilitate the publication of various titles which are marketable and much needed by the public. Also in attendance were Mr Adam Wong as a Director of UM Press, Dato Ahmad Nazri Abdullah from UM Alumni, Emeritus Professor Dato’ Wira Dr. Jamil Osman and Prof Dr Mohamed Aslam Haneef both representing IIITESEA. The translation of the book comes at the right time during a period when the demand for academic resources in Bahasa Malaysia is expanding.

Seminar on Islamisation IOK: Past, Present and Future Challenges at Kolej Dar al Hikmah, Kajang

 IIITESEA organised a seminar on ‘Islamisation of Knowledge: Past, Present and Future’ on 11 August, 2022. The seminar was organised in conjunction with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between IIITESEA and Kolej Dar al Hikmah that is located in Kajang in the state of Selangor in Malaysia. While delivering the first keynote address during the event, the Director of Kolej Dar al Hikmah Dato’ Dr Mohd Nur Manuty stressed the need for collaboration between Kolej Darul Hikmah and IIIT so as to help the college grow and benefit. He pointed out that the concerns for the need for Islamisation of Knowledge began since in the 1960s with Malaysian students working in the UK and USA. These students benefitted from an environment of Islamic awakening. Individuals like Siddiq Fadhil, Tan Sri Prof Mohd Kamal Hassan and Prof Osman Bakar were among many others who played an important role in this movement.

IIITESEA Director Prof Dato’ Dr Mohamad Fauzan bin Noordin affirmed that the IIIT with its network and resources will assist the college in the best way possible. During the second Keynote address, IIITESEA’s Prof Emeritus Dato’ Jamil Osman who shared his experience and insight on how to develop Islamic institutions based on the processes of Islamisation and integration of knowledge as well as a shared sense of vision and mission. The seminar was attended by the college lecturers, students as well as online participants from Malaysia and Indonesia. The invited speakers includeProf. Datuk Dr Wan Kamal Mujani (Deputy Vice Chancelor UKM), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murniati Mukhlisin (Rektor TAZKIA), and Prof. Dr. Zaid Ahmad (Senate Member, UPM). IIIT ESEA was also represented by Prof. Dr. M. Aslam Haneef and Dr. Shaya'a Othman.

Online Courses in Islamic Revealed Knowledge Successfully Concluded

The International Institute of Islamic Thought – East and Southeast Asian office in collaboration with AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kuliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia successfully organised online courses where upon successful completion participants were awarded a Certificate in Islamic Revealed Knowledge. The programme was conducted 9.00am to 12.30pm every Saturday from 29 January to 16 April, 2022. Twelve courses were offered with a total of 42 hours of lessons in 52 sessions. The main objective of the program was to introduce and expose the participants to the disciplines of Islamic Sciences. The course content was broad and general and was designed to suit participants from a wide range of backgrounds including those with minimal or no prior exposure in Islamic knowledge and disciplines. 

The courses were taught by lecturers who have been teaching the same courses at the IIUM. We hope that participants who are school teachers or lecturers found these courses useful and of value to their classroom teaching. It is also hoped that the programme would be of benefit to participating students from high schools and universities. Members from the general public could use these courses to enrich their knowledge on Islam for the benefit of their professional and private lives.

There were 5,381 participants registered through the Online Registration Form coming from more than 60 countries. Majority of the participants were from Nigeria, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. The classes were streamed live through ZOOM, YouTube and Facebook and were accessible to all regardless of their geographical locations. The average number of participants joining the classes live through these three platforms was between 1,500 to 2,000 participants. Other participants watched recordings of the sessions at a later time on our dedicated YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/IIITOnlineClasses. Dedicated WhatsApp and Telegram groups were established to facilitate communication with the participants. Participants also received notifications through email. Lecture notes and reading materials were provided to all participants. Certificates of Completion and Letter of Appreciation were provided upon request.

A total of 1,512 participants responded to the Online Evaluation Form distributed at the end of the courses. When asked on their level of skill and knowledge at start of the course, 55% replied their skill were fair and satisfactory. Encouragingly, 66% replied their skill and knowledge at end of the course were very good and excellent. More than 90% responded “agree” and “strongly agree” to affirm that the instructors were effective lecturers, presentations were clear and organized, and they stimulated student interest. More than 90% responded “agree” and “strongly agree” to suggest that learning objectives were clear and that the course content was organized and well planned. Despite the courses conducted online with limitation of time, more that 80% responded that the courses allowed all students to participate fully. 

Majority of the participants were looking forward to continue taking more courses in future. Abu Tayub Md Nazmussakib Bhuyan from Bangladesh writes, “For being a teacher of Islamic studies, this course helps me to improve my lectures to my students. It was a fruitful and knowledgeable course for me. I would like to be informed and eagerly waiting for the upcoming courses of the institute.” Leow Shwu Lian from Malaysia benefitted from the courses as a new Muslim, “Thank you for all speakers, presenters and organizers for organizing very enlightening and fruitful learning even not able to fully digest all facts. For a New mualaf like me, i am much delighted with the learning.” Rakim L. Sammy from the Philippines said the courses meant a lot to him and he thanked all the lecturers, “It means a lot to me, from the way I live was now differ to what I used to before, as I have learned how our prophet spent his entire life. Looking forward on how Islam stand to what is existing now, the LGBTQ+. Lecturers made a great contribution, as well as the organizer of this course. It really helps us to understand more about our religion.” There were many more responses from the participants expressing their appreciation and thanks to lecturers as well as organizers. They hope the courses will be continued with additional subjects.

List of lecturers and courses offered are as follows:

1. Aqidah Islamiyyah and Contemporary Challenges (6 classes)
by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Haslina Ibrahim
2. Sciences of the Qur'an and Exegetical Studies (6 classes)
by Dr. Norbani Ismail
3. Introduction to al-Hadith and Studies of Selected Hadith (6 classes)
by Dr Raudlotul Firdaus Fatah Yasin
4. Introduction to Syariah and Fiqh (6 classes)
by Dr. Saidatolakma Mohd Yunus
5. The History of Islam and Its Civilization (6 classes)
by Assoc. Prof Dr. Uthman Kabuye Sulaiman
6 Islamic Da'wah and Contemporary Challenges (6 classes)
by Asst. Prof. Dr. Mohd Noh Abdul Jalil
7. Islamic Ethics and Contemporary Challenges (6 classes)
by Asst. Prof. Dr. Abdul Latif Abd. Razak
8. Knowledge, Science and Islamization (6 classes)
by Asst. Prof. Dr. Fatimah Abdullah
9. Creative Thinking and Problem Solving in Islam (2 classes)
by Prof Dr. Jamal Ahmed Bashier Badi 
10. Introduction to Islamization of Knowledge (2 classes)
by Prof. Dr. Shukran Abd Rahman 
11. Islamization of Knowledge in Human Sciences (2 classes)
by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hazizan Md. Noon 
12. Islamization of Knowledge in Economics and Business (2 classes)
by Prof. Dr. Mohamed Aslam Mohamed Haneef

Prof. Ismail al Faruqi, a Multifaceted Scholar – Prof Dr. Imtiyaz Yusuf

On 8 October 2022, the International Institute of Islamic Thought East and Southeast Asia organised a talk on the topic “Professor Ismail al Faruqi: The Multifaceted Scholar” as a part of its monthly Intellectual Discourse Series. The talk was presented by Associate Professor Dr Imtiyaz Yusuf from the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC-IIUM) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Prof. Imtiyaz began by referring to the late Prof. al Faruqi as an intellectual mujahid, a brilliant man who was a “walking encyclopedia of Islam” and a trailblazer of academic study of religion. Speaking passionately, Professor Imtiyaz said that Professor al Faruqi made important contributions in a wide range of fields such as the academic study of Islam, the history and phenomenology of religion and interreligious dialogue. 

Revisiting some of Professor al Faruqi’s ideas, Professor Imtiyaz said Professor al Faruqi saw the history of religion in Arabia as a struggle between monotheism and polytheism i.e., Tawhid and Shirk.  Dr Imtiyaz referred to Professor al Faruqi as “the al Biruni of the modern age” who emphasised on the need for scholars to study every religion within its own context. Professor al Faruqi described Islam as al-Din al Fitrah or the natural religion and urged Muslim scholars to study Islam as the religion of all Prophets since the pre-hijrah era.  Dr Imtiyaz reflected that al Faruqi’s approach to Islam was ideational, axiological and aesthetical. He stressed on the Ummatic methodology to the study of Islam that includes the Ulama, students and even bankers and lawyers. Professor al Faruqi, Dr Imtiyaz recollected, invited everyone to come and join him in the project of Islamisation to help the Ummah face the postcolonial era crisis in Muslim education, and emphasised that Islam was not opposed to modern science and technology. 

However, Dr Imtiyaz noted, Professor al Faruqi saw an intellectual crisis in modern education. Islam was virtually removed from modern education. He saw the Muslim ummah to be in a state of crisis, secularised, Westernised and de-Islamised. He urged the Muslims to “master the disciplines” that they wish to Islamise and develop alternative, sound and scientific theories based on Islamic perspectives. Prof al Faruqi emphasised that mastering the disciplines is necessary if we are to make Islam relevant in facing modern challenges and as a civilisational project to help humanity to come out of the challenges it faces today. As part of the Islamisation effort, Prof. al Faruqi urged Muslim scholars to work to develop new methodological and theoretical responses and engage with new challenges that we are facing today such as postmodernism, artificial intelligence and the “posthuman future”.

As for interreligious dialogue, Dr Imtiyaz said, Prof. al Faruqi was a pioneer in Muslim-Christian dialogue as well as with other religions.  He noted that Professor al Faruqi worked together with scholars of other faiths and even authored works with Japanese, Chinese and Jewish scholars. On a personal level, Professor Imtiyaz recalled, Professor al Faruqi was “a hard task master” but was also a friend and a teacher who closely related to his students at a personal level. The recorded lecture is accessible at  https://youtu.be/mIELZWu4Zpo.