By NurFatihah Irdina
GOMBAK, 11 April 2023: On 30 March 2023, the AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (AHAS KIRKHS) held its break fast event, also known as iftar for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Iftar is an annual Kulliyyah programme that serves its purpose to celebrate the joyous month of Ramadan for IIUM students, lecturers and administrative staff.
In the opening remarks by the Dean of AHAS KIRKHS, Prof. Dr. Shukran Abd Rahman, he conveyed his gratitude to everyone involved in the development of the Kulliyyah and university. He also shared the good news that AHAS KIRKHS managed to be ranked at 19th place for its Religious, Divinity & Theology studies according to QS World University Rankings by subject in 2023.
The Dean also mentioned that the AHAS KIRKHS annual Iftar was sponsored by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Kuala Lumpur.
œThis sponsorship and cooperation with the Embassy of Saudi Arabia is not the first time the Kulliyyah has been in partnership with. The collaboration and sponsorship efforts tonight show the strong bond between the two nations,” said the Deputy Rector of Student Development and Community Engagement of the IIUM, Prof. Dr. Akhmal Khuzairy Abd Rahman.
The Iftar is also an initiative by the Kulliyyah to bridge the gap between members of the IIUM community (current and alumni) in order to foster an inclusive environment.
The event was held in conjunction with the launch of AHAS KIRKHS Alumni ˜Giving Back to AHAS KIRKHS initiative. The initiative invited alumni from different departments to join the AHAS KIRKHS Iftar: Psychology (PSYCSTA), Sociology (SOCASA), Quran and Sunnah studies (QUSSA), Political Science (POSSA), English Language and Literature (BENL) and Arabic Language and Literature (BARB).
“…every student fears that he or she might not have a solid foundation to rely on upon graduation,” said Prof. Dr. Shukran. Hence, one of the main objectives of the Iftar was also to strengthen AHAS KIRKHS alumni relationship with each other. œWe hope that this alumni relationship does not stop at the event but goes beyond university matters, advised the Dean.
“Considering that the iftar also invited students from all backgrounds, with B40 students and students with disabilities prioritized, the Kulliyyah thought that it may bring peace and unity to bring forward the agenda of Islam in emphasizing the underprivileged,” highlighted Prof. Dr. Akhmal in his speech.
It was also confirmed by the President of Quranic Studies and Sunnah (QUSSA) and master of ceremony of the event, Ammar Adlan, in his welcoming speech where he mentioned that the Iftar is a Kulliyyah programme that served its purpose to celebrate the joyous month of Ramadhan with students, lecturers and administrative staff in an inclusive environment.***