By, Aqmar Khan
GOMBAK, 7 November 2024: The launching of Gombak Integrated School of Thought in Social Sciences (GISTS) operation room commenced with welcoming speech by the Project Initiator and Manager to GISTS, Prof. Dr. Hazizan bin Md. Noon. He warmly welcomed all attendees including lecturers from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology (SOCA), the Secretariat of Sociology and Anthropology (SOCASA), committee members, and SOCA students.
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology celebrated a significant milestone today with the official opening of the GISTS operation room. “Today marks a very important milestone and the development of GISTS” said Prof. Dr. Hazizan Md. Noon.
The project’s purpose emphasized that while modern knowledge has advanced in various fields, its foundations differ fundamentally from those in Islamic tradition. GISTS aims to provide a holistic, Islamically-aligned school of thought and this will allow future generations to study sociology, anthropology, psychology, communication, and political science through perspectives that go beyond the frameworks developed in the West.
GISTS is not only a project but also a contribution to the ummah. “One day in future, there will be a school of thought established in the East and the East is in Gombak and that Gombak is at the IIUM,” said the GISTS initiator.
Moreover, attendees at the launch were encouraged to consider themselves part of a historical movement, as today’s event marks a significant phase in creating a school of thought that upholds the university’s unique philosophy mission and vision. This initiative strategically elevates the IIUM’s mission, vision, and philosophy by embedding them into the GISTS, enabling the university’s core ideals to gain recognition globally and subtly influence discourse on knowledge and thought in the social sciences.
The development of GISTS will unfold in stages. The first phase, spanning three years, will focus on the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, where the concept has already been introduced and well-received. The second stage involves expanding engagement by involving other departments at the AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (AHAS KIRKHS) hence the opening of the operation room. “So the opening of the operation room can be regarded as the closing of the first stage activities so that we can embrace a greater audience to help us or to be together with us,” he added. The third stage, in the third year, will expand further to include other social sciences faculties such as economics, law, and education.
Prof. Dr. Hazizan encouraged attendees to support GISTS, inviting contributions to further activate the operation room. “This room, which has gone unused for years, so now we want to activate it make it more useful not only for us but for the ummah and the world in the future. Let it become a vibrant center, a witness to the growth of this new school of thought,” he remarked, urging all to actively engage in GISTS as it develops over time.
Following the welcoming remarks by Prof. Dr. Hazizan b. Md. Noon, the GISTS operation room was officially launched by the Head of Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rohaiza Abd. Rokis.
In her speech, She highlighted the historical significance of AHAS KIRKHS, noting that it was the third kulliyyah established with the clear objective to integrate human sciences and revealed knowledge.
Additionally, the key principle is that human sciences and Revealed Knowledge should not be seen as separate, but rather as one unified whole. “There are three components that are very important; Islamization, Relevantization, and Integration”, she added. In fields such as sociology, anthropology, communication, political science, psychology, and history and civilisation, our focus is on Islamization, with a stronger emphasis on this aspect.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rohaiza also mentioned that while urban knowledge focuses more on relevantization, it is essential for all of us to pursue integration as well. This is the foundation upon which we must build our unique and important role. “As frequently emphasized by the Rector of the IIUM, Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr. Osman Bakar, AHAS KIRKHS is the heart of the university, carrying the significant responsibility of upholding ethical standards in all of the endeavors,” said the Head of Department. We must be a model for others to follow. Therefore, the essence of GISTS lies in its alignment with the critical mission and vision of the university, serving as a structural pillar to advance these ideals.
She concluded her speech by expressing her gratitude to all attendees at the same time welcoming them to join in fulfilling the mission and vision of the university. This marks an important step towards realizing the goals of GISTS, in alignment with the university’s overarching mission.
The GISTS project initially was launched by the former Rector of theIIUM, Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak at Al-Liqa’ Al-Jamaie on 20 September 2023.***
