By Nur Hakimah and Shamsina
GOMBAK, 31 March 2022: The concept of integration of knowledge is an omnipresent idea in International Islamic University Malaysia where it embeds such ideas in the mission and vision of the university. Interestingly, integration of knowledge is not restricted to take place in the lecture halls only.
It may occur anywhere as long as there are two (or more) collisions of different perspectives. The only demarcation to achieve integration, apart from lack of access and opportunity, is unwillingness and reluctance.
The notion of integration has encompassed Mahallah Sumayyah as one of the residences for students in IIUM, to work on a project known as ‘Imarah Musolla Project’ under the supervision and leadership of the Programme Manager, Nur Azizah as the Mahallah Representative Committee of Sumayyah.
She adamantly highlights that “A Musolla should be a precious sanctuary that provides a place for worship, education and moral guidance”. This is where the notion of integration takes place – a single shared Musolla that connects two Mahallahs (Mahallah Sumayyah-Mahallah Nusaibah), and it is not viewed to serve one purpose only.
Although the idea of integration seems to be far from any flaws, Mahallah Sumayyah believes that such concept must be coupled with the idea of sejahtera, hence the term ‘Musolla Sejahtera’ is presented where the Musolla is emphasised to not be limited to merely religious activities, but it includes social interests that must be incorporated with intellectual values. So, Iqra’ hub will be established in Musolla as it is noted that the culture of Iqra’ is in the vein of IIUM.
Execution is as vital as ideas and plans. Thus, it would be unfortunate for such a proposal to stay in mind, or just written all over the pages without implementation and this is where realistically speaking, monetary support must be acquired. Realising this reality, Mahallah Sumayyah does not want to keep on dreaming, hence three sponsorships from four different entities have been secured, amounting to RM32,100.
The monetary contribution will be used to make sustainable changes to the Musolla, among them is to repaint the whole Musolla and change the carpet. This is where Daya Bersih Sdn Bhd plays an essential role in the execution of this project.
Dr. Shamshina Mohamad Hanifa as the devoted Principal of Mahallah Sumayyah describes the Musolla project as self-sufficient, because instead of asking for thousands of budgets, we come up with our own budgets by opting for sponsorships as the trajectory to upgrade and beautify the Musolla.
The sense of independence as a result of securing sponsorship holds a paramount significance as it entangles the organiser from the knots of dictatorship in decision-making. This concept was mentioned by Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak during the launching of Waqf Room in IIUM where he believed that it is imperative for an institution like the university to have their own economy to decide their future.
This ‘Imarah Musolla Project’ which reflects the idea of ‘Musolla Sejahtera’ is indeed a sustainable and sejahtera project and it is such a blessing to have wonderful people corroborating it.***
(Nur Hakimah Sakeenah is a student from Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws or AIKOL, and Assistant Professor Dr. Shamshina is an academic in the Department of Civil Law, AIKOL. The views expressed here are those of the authors/contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of IIUMToday.)