WELCOMING THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR: UNITY, VIRTUE, AND COMMITMENT IN SEMESTER 1, 2025/2026

It is with immense pleasure and humility that I, as Dean of ISTAC-IIUM, welcome all returning and especially new students to the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC-IIUM) as we embark on a new academic journey with the start of Semester 1, 2025/2026, beginning on Monday, 6 October 2025. To our esteemed academics and faculty, I extend my warmest wishes and pray for a productive and successful semester, in sha’ Allah. As we commence this important journey, I would like to take this opportunity to say a few words to remind myself and all of us of the University and ISTAC-IIUM’s ideals and expectations. As a well-established learning institution, IIUM is dedicated to restoring the primacy of Islam in all fields of knowledge. The shared ideals of IIUM community, which encompasses students, academic staff, and administrative staff, are deeply rooted in the worldview of Islam, which includes the epistemology of Tawhid. This foundational principle mandates that knowledge shall be propagated in the spirit of Tawhid, leading towards the recognition of Allah as the Absolute Creator and Master of mankind. The quest for knowledge is thus considered an act of worship (‘ibadah) and a trust (amanah), utilized by man, the vicegerent (khalifah) of Allah on earth, in conformity with His will. Moved by its Islamic worldview and Tawhidic epistemology, IIUM aims to develop as a leading international centre that revitalizes the intellectual dynamism of Islam by integrating Islamic revealed knowledge and values in all academic disciplines, with the courage to produce better quality intellectuals, professionals, and scholars who successfully integrate the qualities of faith (iman), knowledge (‘ilm), and good character (akhlaq), thus contributing to the improvement human life and civilization. Thus, as members of this esteemed academic community, whether we are faculty, student, or staff, the success of our shared mission hinges on more than just intellectual rigor; it requires exemplary conduct and harmonious collaboration. At ISTAC-IIUM, our collective work is dedicated to advancing Islamic thought and civilization for the benefit of the Ummah and the world. This demands that we actively work together to address the new challenges and concerns facing our society, the Muslim Ummah and humanity. I thus urge everyone to foster an environment where problems are solved through consultation, maturity, and a spirit of cooperation. Adherence to Rules and Tolerance: The Institute functions within the formal structure of IIUM, guided by its overall client charter and its historical foundation which involved governance by rules and regulations. It is thus paramount that all members adhere to the rules and regulations of the University and the Institute. Furthermore, given our focus on comparative, cultural, and civilisational studies, we should observe mutual respect and tolerance in all academic discourses and interpersonal interactions, ensuring a safe and productive environment for all. To our promising new and returning students, you are here to engage in advanced level study and research. Your studies should prioritise learning, but ISTAC-IIUM’s mission is also to develop scholars and thinkers who embody the knowledge, wisdom, and virtues of Islamic worldview and civilisation. Thus, we expect you to be quality and value-driven graduates, pursuing intellectual depth and balancing it with the deliberate cultivation of good character. Strive to be both a rigorous scholar and a moral thinker. To our academics, let me stress that our commitment goes beyond scholarship in conventional sense. It should also embrace character building and value enhancement. While our interest and expertise in respective disciplines and commitment to recognized research contributions are essential, ISTAC-IIUM’s vision also requires us to lead in spiritual, cultural & civilisational integrated endeavours. We look forward to championing responsible research and to nurturing scholars who are not only multi-disciplinary but also grounded in virtue, ethics and morality. To our dedicated administrative staff, we truly value your selfless and continued support. Your role in ensuring the smooth functioning of ISTAC-IIUM is vital. I thus urge you to provide necessary support to both students and faculty to ensure that the excellent education for the students can be realized efficiently and smoothly. Your efficiency and dedication are key elements in upholding the University’s commitment to its educational goals. The new management team is committed to facilitating ISTAC-IIUM’s trajectory towards becoming a truly distinctive centre of studies and research, a key step in realizing our vision to be a world-leading international centre of Islamic learning, research and community engagement in Islamic thought, civilisation, and Malay world studies. This commitment involves actively ensuring that ISTAC-IIUM is strategically positioned as a leading centre transformation and knowledge creation and application for societal development. We will prioritize support for faculty and students engaging in advanced-level study and research using our excellent library resources that hold among others valuable manuscripts in Malay, Arabic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish, and Urdu languages. Let us commit ourselves this semester to excellence in scholarship and character, to enhance the spirit of brotherhood, and unity in our purpose for the benefit of the Ummah and humanity. I hope and pray that Allah SWT will guide us, give us strength as a family and ease our job in making this journey a blessed and successful one.