DEAN’S MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF ‘ĪD AL-FIṬR

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

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Dear ISTAC-IIUM Family, Friends, and Viewers,

As we reach the conclusion of the blessed month of Ramadan 1447H, it is my honour to extend heartfelt greetings of ‘Īd Mubārak and كل عام وأنتم بخير. We thank Allah SWT for granting us the opportunity to complete this sacred month and for the spiritual renewal it brings.

At ISTAC-IIUM, the transition from the discipline of ṣawm to the joy of ‘Īd is more than a change in observance. It signifies a renewal of purpose. Ramadan refines both intellect (‘aql) and heart (qalb), guiding us back to the fiṭrah, our innate disposition grounded in divine wisdom. ‘Īd al-Fiṭr celebrates this renewal and reflects the balance that defines our scholarly tradition: spiritual depth alongside intellectual excellence.

In a time of ongoing global challenges affecting both the Ummah and humanity at large, the message of ‘Īd reminds us of our responsibility as scholars and educators. We are called to uphold the values of dignity, mercy, and wasatiyyah (the middle way), and to offer principled guidance rooted in the enduring legacy of Islamic thought.

This Ramadan also marks a moment of profound loss with the passing of ISTAC’s Founder-Director, Royal Laureate Professor Tan Sri Dr Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas, on 18 Ramaḍān 1447H. We pray that Allah grants him His mercy and an honoured place among the righteous.

As we gather with family and loved ones, may the clarity and discipline nurtured during Ramadan continue to guide our pursuit of knowledge, our teaching, and our service to society.

May Allah accept our acts of worship, forgive our shortcomings, and grant us steadfastness in fulfilling our scholarly and moral responsibilities.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir dan Batin.

PROFESSOR DR. HAZIZAN MD NOON
Dean, ISTAC-IIUM
1 Shawwal 1447H