The Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV) was host to 37 undergraduate students led by Professor Dr. Levi Geir Eidhamar from the University of Agder, Norway. They were here at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) on Tuesday, 22 January, 2019 for the 11th Annual Lecture Series on Contemporary Islam in Malaysia. It was part of the students' learning experience to know and understand about various religions that exist in this world. 

 

 

For 11 consecutive years, Prof Levi has continuously brought his students to ISDEV to have an insight and learn more about Islam as a religion and the issues that Muslims are facing contemporaneously especially here in Malaysia. As usual, there were two lectures lined-up for ISDEV guests from Norway as well as for ISDEV members.

 

 

The first lecture was given by Ustaz Dr Mohammad Nidzam bin Abdul Kadir from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) who is the author of "Fiqah Hubungan Etnik". His session started a little after 9:30am, after the usual opening with the nasyeed of the 99 beautiful names of Allah SWT followed by the recitation of Ummu al-kitab al-Fatihah and a doa recital. Dr Mohammad Nidzam, who appears regularly on various TV religious programmes, spoke on the "The Fiqh of Ethnic Relations" to the audience.

 

 

The second lecture was by Tuan Haji Kamarudin bin Abdullah, President and Founder of Islamic Propagation Society International (IPSI). With a title on "An Islamic Insight on the Unity of Mankind", a seasoned speaker and well-known Islamic figure in disseminating information and the truth about Islam, himself being a revert to Islam at the age of 18, was able to get the audience involved by sharing his knowledge and experience. His organization, IPSI, also made it a point to distribute to everyone from Norway a copy of "The Meaning of the Holy Qur'an".

The halaqah-like session held in the masjid.

 

After lunch, ISDEV guests from Norway were then brought to Masjid Al Malik Khalid, USM to witness how do Muslims go about with their obligatory prayers in a jema'ah (congregationally). Zuhur was at 1:32pm that day and so they arrived at the masjid well before time. The male students had a halaqah-like session after seeing how the Muslims establish their solat zuhur.

A RISDEV student (left) helping one of the students with the headscarf.

 

In the meantime, the female students were helped in donning the headscarf and some even wore the jubah (long dresses) that were provided by RISDEV (ISDEV postgraduate by research) students. Prof Levi commented that ISDEV had "made a fantastic programme, and I really look forward to come back next year! Thanks on behalf of all the students". The feeling is so mutual, Prof Levi. ISDEV too looks forward to hosting you, with your new batch of students, for the 12th time, in shaa Allah (with Allah SWT will) next year.'