Strengthening Community Engagement through SAA Programme

By, Nur Qurratul Nusrah, Nur Siti Khadeejah, and Dr. Fatimah Karim

On a calm Saturday morning in December, the usually quiet Mosque Al-Shariff in Kampung Simpang Tiga, Gombak, was filled with laughter, lively discussions, and meaningful exchanges between university students and local families. Parents sat attentively with their children, participating in games and reflective activities, while students confidently facilitated discussions on family harmony and community well-being.

This vibrant scene was part of the Synergized Academic with Student Activities (SAA) Community Engagement Programme, an initiative that reflects the International Islamic University Malaysia’s (IIUM) commitment to holistic education; one that seamlessly integrates academic learning, values, and service to society.

Bringing Knowledge Beyond the Classroom

Held on 13 December 2025, the programme was organised by the Secretariat of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh (Session 2024/2025) and involved students from RKFQ 2313: Fiqh al-Usrah (Sections 1, 2, and 3) and RKFQ 4315: Qadaya Fiqhiyyah Muʿasirah. More than 100 members of the local community took part, transforming the mosque into a shared learning space where theory met real-life experience.

Rather than functioning as a conventional outreach activity, the SAA programme required students to plan, organize, and implement a community-based initiative as part of their course assessments. Through this process, students learned that academic knowledge, particularly in Islamic jurisprudence, carries a responsibility to serve and uplift society.

Fiqh in Action: Families, Values, and Maqasid Shariah

Guided by the theme “How to Create a Happy and Peaceful Family and Community in the Light of Maqasid Shariah,” the programme focused on addressing contemporary family and social challenges through Islamic perspectives. Students developed and delivered modules on topics such as effective communication for family harmony, patience and forgiveness in marital relationships, parenting with love and responsibility, and the role of women within the family institution, and the dangers of electronic smoking from the perspective of Maqasid Shariah. What made these sessions distinctive was their interactive and inclusive approach. Instead of relying solely on lectures, students introduced games, quizzes, puzzles, and hands-on activities that encouraged participation from both adults and children. This approach created a welcoming atmosphere where learning felt natural, engaging, and relevant to daily life.

Through direct interaction with the community, students began to appreciate fiqh not as a rigid set of rulings, but as a dynamic and compassionate framework grounded in wisdom, justice, and human dignity. The principles of Maqasid Shariah were no longer abstract concepts discussed in classrooms; they became practical tools for nurturing harmony within families and strengthening social bonds.

Learning Through Service and Shared Responsibility

Beyond educational activities, students also took part in community service at the mosque, including cleaning and organising shared spaces. While simple, these acts reinforced the Islamic value of khidmah (service) and reminded students that knowledge finds its true meaning when accompanied by humility and action.

Throughout the programme, students faced real challenges like managing time, coordinating as a team, adapting to community needs, and communicating effectively with diverse participants. These experiences fostered essential soft skills such as leadership, teamwork, adaptability, and empathy, preparing students for future roles as professionals and community leaders.

Appreciation and Collaborative Support

The success of the SAA Community Engagement Programme was made possible through the generous support and cooperation of various parties who shared the same vision of serving the community. Heartfelt appreciation is extended to the Kulliyyah Office of the Deputy Dean (Students and Community Engagement) AHAS KIRKHS for their continuous guidance and encouragement throughout the programme. Sincere thanks are also due to Yayasan Ez Prihatin, Karangkraf, and Yayasan Pembangunan Ekonomi Islam Malaysia (YAPEIM) for their sponsorship, which greatly supported the smooth implementation of the activities and enriched the overall experience for both students and participants.

In addition, the programme was further strengthened by the presence of community booths by Medic Ihsan, Agrobank, and Muhibbul Quran, which offered valuable services such as health awareness, financial guidance, and Quran-related initiatives, including proper Quran disposal. These contributions created a more holistic and meaningful engagement for the residents of Kampung Simpang Tiga. The collective support from all sponsors and partners reflects a strong spirit of collaboration and shared responsibility in nurturing a caring, informed, and resilient community.

A Lasting Impact on Students and Community

For the residents of Kampung Simpang Tiga, the programme offered a meaningful opportunity for reflection, learning, and family bonding. Parents and children engaged together in discussions that were both educational and enjoyable, reinforcing shared values rooted in Islamic teachings.

For the students, the SAA Community Engagement Programme proved to be far more than an academic requirement. It was a transformative experience that highlighted knowledge as an amanah (trust); one that must be exercised responsibly, ethically, and compassionately. In essence, the programme embodies IIUM’s vision of holistic education, where intellectual growth is inseparable from moral development and social responsibility. By bridging classroom learning with community engagement, the SAA initiative leaves a lasting impact not only on students, but also on the wider society they are called to serve.

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Nur Qurratul Nusrah and Nur Siti Khadeejah are both students of the Department of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh, AHAS IRKHS IIUM. Dr. Fatimah Karim is an Assistant Professor of Department Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh, AHAS IRKHS IIUM, Project Leader of Synergized Academic with Student Activities (SAA).***