Setting Up the Launching Pad for the Kulliyyah to Empower the Society to Face the Future

By Shukran Abdul Rahman

The Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (KIRKHS) at IIUM has been a centre of studies which unites three main domains of knowledge in her academic activities, such as teaching and learning, research and publications, and community services, thanks to Prof. AbdulHamid AbuSulayman who was very forward-looking in the development of the Kulliyyah.

Dr. AbdulHamid AbuSulayman is the second Rector of IIUM who began his rectorship in the year 1988 until 1998. He has been instrumental in bringing IIUM to the current height and had contributed to a great extent in the establishment of the Kulliyyah. Through his futuristic strategy, the Kulliyyah has become the first centre of studies in the world where the three main domains of knowledge, namely Human Sciences, Social Sciences, and Islamic Studies (Theology) are integrated.  His main aims were to nurture and produce highly balanced and well-prepared graduates. The alumni of KIRKHS are currently serving in various job sectors in the world over, beyond the traditional career paths for Islamic studies or social science graduates. 

The enormity of Dr. AbdulHamid’s invaluable contribution in reforming the education system should be appropriately commemorated, including through the naming of the centre of studies which he founded. The whole community of now AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (AHAS KIRKHS) are very pleased with the decision of the University to name the Kulliyyah after Almarhum the second Rector of IIUM.

The suggestion for the naming was mooted by Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dr. Mohd Kamal Hassan, the third Rector of IIUM and the decision was announced by Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, the current Rector on August 21, 2021. It was such a great decision made by the University Management Committee members to also organise a special ceremony for the naming of the Kulliyyah on November 5, 2021.

The Kulliyyah is indeed very honoured to witness the ceremony and believes that it is an embodiment of the University’s appreciation to the great contribution of Prof. Emeritus Dato’ Dr. AbdulHamid AbuSulayman in the formulation and establishment of KIRKHS in 1990. 

The naming of KIRKHS as AHAS KIRKHS indeed marks the setting up of a launching pad for the Kulliyyah to multiply her readiness in playing roles in preparing the society to face their and their country’s future. It is also a magnifier for the Kulliyyah’s commitment to hold tight to the missions of the Kulliyyah which were conceptualised by Dr. AbdulHamid whose name will now always be seen, heard, written, and uttered when the Kulliyyah is referred.

The Kulliyyah will continue working on Islamisation of human knowledge, integration of revealed and acquired knowledge, and relevantisation of knowledge. Such foci are important in supporting the efforts to apply behavioural science knowledge and Islamic studies principles in solving psycho-social-spiritual issues faced by the societies. 

The Kulliyyah will enhance her engagement with internal and external scholars, individuals and organisations in all activities, befitting the University’s mission to produce better quality intellectuals, professionals and scholars of distinction by integrating quality of faith, knowledge, and good character to serve as agents of comprehensive and balanced progress as well as sustainable development in Malaysia and in the world over.

The Kulliyyah too will continue responding to the urgency for research in the areas of Islamic Studies and Human Sciences, in integrated manner. Besides, the Kulliyyah is strengthening her functions in producing new literature based on the holistic approach in the field of Human Sciences, from Islamic and modern perspectives, hence fulfilling the Kulliyyah’s function to nurture or develop capably relevant Islamic religious scholars and social scientists who could empower the society to face the increasingly changing and challenging life demands.***

(Prof. Dr. Shukran Abdul Rahman is the Dean of AHAS KIRKHS and an academic in the Department of Psychology, AHAS KIRKHS)

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