Embracing the New Dawn: A Call to Purpose and Unity

A New Year Message from the Dean

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Al-Salam ‘Alaykum wr. wb.
Peace and mercy be upon all.

Dear ISTAC Family and Our Global Community,

As the sun rises upon the first day of 2026, we stand at the threshold of a new chapter in our journey. On behalf of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC-IIUM), I wish you all a Blessed New Year. As we bid farewell to 2025, we do so with hearts full of gratitude. We pray that the Almighty accepts our humble efforts from the past year – every lecture delivered, every page written, and every moment of service rendered in the pursuit of knowledge (al-’Ilm). May our past strivings be refined and sanctified as a foundation for the heights we aim to scale today.

Renewing the Soul, Refreshing the Vision

The turning of the year is more than a change in the calendar; it is a refreshing of energy and a recalibration of the soul. Today, we face new challenges – intellectual, social, and global – that require more than just our presence; they require our unwavering commitment. In the spirit of our rich intellectual tradition, let us approach this year with a new rigour. Let us be:

– United in Purpose: Strengthening our bonds of solidarity and brotherhood (ukhuwwah).
– Productive in Output: Moving beyond mere activity toward meaningful, high-impact contributions to the Ummah and humanity.
– Resilient in Spirit: Meeting the complexities of the modern world with the timeless wisdom of Islamic civilization.

Capitalizing on Strengths, Refining our Character

A true community of scholars thrives when it learns to capitalize on its collective strengths. We are a mosaic of talents, backgrounds, and insights. This year, let us amplify those strengths while remaining tolerant and compassionate toward our human limitations. Excellence is not the absence of flaws, but the persistent courage to improve despite them.

Let this year be a testament to our self and institutional improvement. May ISTAC-IIUM continue to be a beacon of light (Nur), where the intellect meets the heart, and where our productivity is mirrored by our integrity and sincerity.

As we step into 2026, I invite every member of the ISTAC family – students, fellows, staff, and alumni – to join me in this renewal. Let us weave our individual aspirations into a single tapestry of excellence. “Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a vision, but a year lived in the service of Truth is a legacy.”

May Allah SWT grant us the strength to be better than we were, the wisdom to navigate the unknown, and the grace to serve His creation with sincerity.

Happy New Year 2026.

PROF. DR. HAZIZAN MD NOON
Dean, International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC-IIUM)