THE INSTITUTE

The Institute | ISTAC-IIUM

The History of ISTAC

The history of ISTAC unfolds as a deliberate and reflective endeavour to restore the rightful place of knowledge within the Islamic intellectual tradition, inspired by the intellectual vision of Royal Laureate Professor Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas.

29 September 1987

The Majlis approved the establishment of ISTAC as a centre dedicated to rearticulating the primacy of Islam across all fields of knowledge. Conceived under the leadership and vision of Royal Laureate Professor Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas, the Institute was not merely intended as another academic entity, but as a space where knowledge would be re-grounded in its proper metaphysical and ethical foundations.

1989

ISTAC was administered as an autonomous entity under its own Rules and Regulations, shaping a distinct scholarly identity rooted in the integration of knowledge and adab.

16 August 2002

The Majlis integrated ISTAC as a kulliyyah within IIUM, situating it within the broader university structure while preserving its specialised role in postgraduate education.

25 February 2015

ISTAC's academic programmes were transferred to KIRKHS, involving the careful relocation of academic resources, staff, and institutional memory to ensure continuity.

26 October 2017

The Institute was rearticulated as the International Institute of Islamic Civilisation and the Malay World, reflecting an expanded engagement with regional intellectual and cultural heritage.

17 May 2019

The Board of Governors restored the Institute's original name, reaffirming its foundational orientation towards Islamic thought and civilisation as a living and enduring tradition.

Vision

To be a world-leading international centre of Islamic learning, research and community engagement in Islamic thought, civilisation and Malay world studies.

Mission

To nurture a breed of dedicated scholars who are multidisciplinary and exemplify sound knowledge, wisdom and the virtues of Islamic civilisation and its worldview for the benefit of the ummah and humanity.

Objectives

Advancing the cause of the renewal of Islamic thought and civilisation for global relevance.
Nurturing quality, value-driven scholars and graduates for balanced civilisational development.
Positioning ISTAC-IIUM as a leading centre of transformation, knowledge creation, and application for sustainable societal development.
Championing responsible, integrated research across inter-, multi-, and transdisciplinary approaches.
Advancing studies in Islamic civilisation within the Malay world.
Leading in integrated spiritual, cultural, and civilisational niche areas.

ILLUMINATING THE HORIZON OF WISDOM

A Mawlid Message from the Dean

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

All praise is due to Allah, the Light of the heavens and the earth. May peace and eternal blessings rest upon our Prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him) — the mercy sent to all creation, the pinnacle of moral beauty, and the guide who elevated the human intellect from darkness into the radiant light of truth — and upon his noble family, companions, and all who follow his path.

As the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal graces our skies, the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC-IIUM) joins the global Ummah on this blessed 12th day of Rabi’ al-Awwal to celebrate Mawlid al-Nabi, the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The advent of the Prophet was not merely an event in time, but the dawn of a new civilisational consciousness.

He arrived as a sanctuary of compassion and a beacon of ultimate wisdom (hikmah), weaving together the heavenly verticality of divine revelation with the horizontal reality of human existence.

In his noble life (Sirah), the pursuit of knowledge became a sacred pilgrimage, and the refinement of character (adab) became the highest expression of faith. He inspired an intellectual tradition that nurtured reason alongside devotion, transforming societies through justice, empathy, and the pursuit of truth.

A Call to Intellectual and Spiritual Renewal

At ISTAC-IIUM, we view this auspicious occasion not only as a moment of joyful remembrance, but as an intellectual and spiritual summons. In an era often clouded by moral ambiguity and fragmented knowledge, the prophetic paradigm offers a timeless anchor.

It calls us to integrate intellect with soul, to cultivate rigorous scholarship rooted in moral clarity, and to build bridges of profound understanding across diverse cultures and faiths.

To our scholars, students, esteemed guests, and valued visitors from across the globe, we welcome you to join us in reflecting upon this profound inheritance.

Let us honour the Prophet (peace be upon him) by striving to embody his luminous virtues — humility, patience, and boundless compassion — and by dedicating ourselves to scholarship that heals, elevates, and serves humanity.

May the light of this noble day bring peace to our hearts, clarity to our minds, and enduring purpose to our collective journey.

PROFESSOR DR. HAZIZAN MD. NOON

Dean
International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC-IIUM)
12 Rabi ul Awwal 1448 | 25 August 2026