-
Amnah
Internal Newsletter for the IDB-sponsored Students, Graduates
and Partners
Scholarship Division, Special Assistance Department
Islamic Development Bank Group
Issue No. 53 Shaban 1435H / June 2014Quarterly Newsletter
IDB Scholarship Programme Official Newsletter
Community Service Project by
IDB Graduates in the Philippines
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1Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
Editorial
Dr. Malek Shah Bin Mohd. Yusoff
Chief Editor
Br. Adel Abdulwahab Sindi
Deputy Chief Editor
Br. Mamoon Al Azami
Overall In-charge as Editor
Br. Syed Afzal Jamil
Assistant Editor, Designer & Developer
Br. Mohammed Iftekhar
Coordinator for Partners News
Br. Muhammad Akram
Coordinator for Beneficiary News
Br. Khalid Hamid Al Qabasani
Assistant to the Editor
Photographer / Photo Archivist
Br. Ahmad Lahman
Scholarship Division
Special Assistance Department
Islamic Development Bank Group
P O Box 5925, Jeddah 21432
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Tel: +966 2 646 6833
Fax: +966 2 646 6887
E-mail: [email protected],
[email protected]: www.isdb.org
INTRODUCTION
Editorial 2
KNOWLEDGE OF ISLAM & COMMUNITY
- Preparing for Ramadan
- Islamic Kills Racism
- Setting Goals for Ramadan
- Enhancing Zuhd in Ramadan
- Blessed Month of Mercy: Advice to Self
- Education and Muslims
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SUCCESS STORIES OF IDB SCH. BENEFICIARIES
- Congratulation to IDB Scholars on their achievements
- Congratulation to IDB Graduates on their achievements
- Dr. Sead Zeynel from Macedonia
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COMMUNITY SERVICES BY IDB GRADUATES
- Highlights from Kenya, Philippines, India Bangladesh &
Tanzania 16
SCH-IDB-UMMAH NEWS
- IDB Group President Honoured
- The World Cannot be at Peace when a third of it is
Poor, Says IDB President
- Custodian of the two Holy Mosques to Patronize IDB
Group Meeting and Grace Opening of the IDB 40th
Anniversary Celebrations
- Scholarship Division to Celebrate 30 Years of
Developing the Ummah in conjunction with IDBs 40th
Anniversary
- Nigerian IDB Education Trust Chairman among 5 Faisal
Award winners
- The 2014 IDB Prize in Islamic Banking and Finance
- Three Universities Win IDB Prizes in Science and
Technology
- IDB Board Approves Nearly US$ 671 Million for Strategic
Development Projects
- Philanthropist Donates SR One billion for 75 Mobile Health
Clinics
to be Launched under IDB Supervision
- General Committees of the IDB Board Meet on Scholarship
Programmes
- Annual Meeting of IDB Scholars Association UK at Cambridge
University
- 1st Scientific Symposium of IDB Scholars Association UK -
Cambridge University
- New Executive Committee for IDB-UK Scholars Association
- Meetings with Cambridge Trust & Imperial College London
(ICL)
- Mission to Pakistan
- Mission to Madagascar
- SAP Scholarship Solution
- Mid-term Review of 5-year Strategic Plan
- Retirement of Br. Abulmayeen Shaharuqul Huq
- Employee of the Month Award
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WH
AT
IS IN
SID
E
Disclaimer: Views expressed in the Amanah do not necessarily
represent those of the IDB
nor the Editorial Team1
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2Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
1
Editorial
INTRODUCTION
Ramadan to enrich, energise and empower a balanced life
Ramadan is yet again knocking at our doors as another annual
gift from Allah SWT with a great opportunity to enrich our souls,
energise our hearts and empower our lives for inner & outer
development of our personality. We seldom realise the power it
brings to our lives for purity and purpose to do what is right and
stop what is wrong as defined by Allah SWT and Rasool (SAW).
Ramadan is the month of Quran as its revelation started in this
month (2:184), which is the guidebook from Allah SAW for all
Muslims. We ought to contemplate and understand the instructions of
Allah in it to enlighten our lives towards the right direction
leading to ultimate success here and hereafter.
Ramadan is the month of Taqwa (2:183). If we invest our thought,
time, effort, energy and emotion on Taqwa to run a balanced life in
Dunya, all our activities will In Sha Allah become worship to be
rewarded with pleasure and paradise of Allah. Since Quran is the
guidance for best life in this world with Taqwa, it is our duty to
reflect on how we can develop ourselves, our families, societies
and countries with strong Islamic values and high level of
professional skills & commitment, which are the objectives of
IDB Scholarship Programmes.
In fact, Quran declares (3:110) that the Muslim Ummah has a
divine duty to serve the humanity to achieve their welfare
materially and spiritually as well as that we must help the orphans
and the needy (107: 2-3). The inspiration of the Quran produced the
glorious Islamic civilization of Muslim in Spain who were global
leaders in science, technology and innovation.
The Holy Month of Ramadan teaches us powerful self-discipline
leading to submission, commitment, patience and sacrifice. We
should apply these excellent habits in our day-to-day life
throughout the year. IDB scholars and graduates can also apply
these to transform their daily lives into a disciplined and
result-oriented one both professionally and socially.
For us, with the blessings of Allah, we expect to experience
another chance for the renewal and strengthening of faith that
leads to a decisive change of course in our lives to live and to
serve our societies and countries.
Let us prepare well to be spiritually Enriched, Energised and
Empowered to leave a legacy of a good example of a balanced life of
high professional standards with caring for humanity at large to
please Allah SWT.
Chief Editor15 June 2014
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3Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
Al-Quran:"Ramadan is the (month) in which the Quran was sent
down, as a guide to mankind and a clear guidance and judgment (so
that mankind will distinguish from right and wrong).." (Q 2:183)Oh
you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed
to those before you, that you many learn piety and righteousness"
(Q 2:183)Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for
those before you, that you may attain taqwaa." (Q2:183)The most
honored by Allah amongst you are those best in taqwaa."(Q
49:13)..And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew." (Q
2:184)"Indeed We have revealed it (Qur'an) in the night of Power.
And what will explain to you what the night of Power is? The night
of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein descends the
Angels and the Spirit (Jibreel) by Allah's permission, on every
errand: (they say) "Peace" (continuously) till the rise of
Morning!" (Q 97:1-5)We sent it (this Qur'an) down on a blessed
Night. Verily, We are ever warning (mankind of Our Torment).
Therein (that Night) is decreed every matter of ordainment. Amran
(i.e. a command or this Qur'an or His Decree of every matter) from
Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messenger). (As) a Mercy from
your Lord. Verily! He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower."
(Ad-Dukhaan 44: 3-6)
HadithThe Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "When themonth of
Ramadan starts, the gates of the heavenare opened and the gates of
Hell are closed and
the devils are chained." (Imam Bukhari) ...Narrated Abu
Huraira(r.a): The Messenger of Allah (saw) said:"... whoever fasts
during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's
rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven." (Imam
Bukhari).The Messenger of Allah (saw) addressed his companions on
the last day of Sha`ban, saying, "Oh people! A great month has come
over you; a blessed month; a month in which is a night better than
a thousand months; month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon
you to fast by day, and voluntary to pray by night. Whoever draws
nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in
(this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an
obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an
obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of
performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month
of patience, and the reward of patience is Heaven. It is the month
of charity, and a month in which a believer's sustenance is
increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his
fast, shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the
Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting
person, without his reward being diminished at all." [Narrated by
IbnKhuzaymah]Abu Said al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of
Allah (saw), said: "No servant fasts on a day in the path of Allah
except that Allah removes the hellfire seventy years further away
from his face." This is related by "the group," except for Imam Abu
Dawud.
KNOWLEDGE OF ISLAM & COMMUNITY
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4Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
`Abdullah ibn `Amr reported that the Messenger of Allah (saw),
said: "The fast and the Qur'an are two intercessors for the servant
of Allah on the Day of Resurrection. The fast will say: 'O Lord, I
prevented him from his food and desires during the day. Let me
intercede for him.' The Qur'an will say: 'I prevented him from
sleeping at night. Let me intercede for him.' And their
intercession will be accepted." [Imam Ahmad]Abu Umamah reported: "I
came to the Messenger of Allah (saw) and said: 'Order me to do a
deed that will allow me to enter Paradise.' He said: 'Stick to
fasting, as there is no equivalent to it.' Then I came to him again
and he said: 'Stick to fasting."' [Imam Ahmad, Imam Nasa'i, and
Imam Hakim].Sahl ibn Sa'd reported that the Messenger of Allah
(saw): "There is a gate to Paradise that is called ar-Rayyan. On
the Day of Resurrection it will say: 'Where are those who fasted?'
When the last [one] has passed through the gate, it will be
locked." [Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim].He who is amongst those who
pray will be called from the gate of the prayer (in Paradise) and
he who is from the people of Jihad will be called from the gate of
Jihad, and he who is from those' who give in charity (i.e. Zakat)
will be called from the gate of charity, and he who is amongst
those who observe fast will be called from the gate of fasting, the
gate of Raiyan." Abu Bakr said, "He who is called from all those
gates will need nothing," He added, "Will anyone be called from all
those gates, O Allah's Apostle?" He said, "Yes, and I hope you will
be among those, O Abu Bakr." [Imam Bukhari]Abu Hurairah reported
that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said : "The time between the five
prayers, two consecutive Friday Prayers, and two consecutive
Ramadans are expiations for all that has happened during that
period, provided that one has avoided the grave (major) sins."
[Imam Muslim]
In another hadith, the Messenger of Allah (saw) says, "Ramadan
has come to you. (It is) a month of blessing, in which Allah covers
you with blessing, for He sends down Mercy, decreases sins and
answers prayers. In it, Allah looks at your competition (in good
deeds), and boasts about you to His angels. So show Allah goodness
from yourselves, for the unfortunate one is he who is deprived in
(this month) of the mercy of Allah, the Mighty, the Exalted."
[ImamTabarani]Abu Umaamah r.a.a. said: I said: 'O Messenger of
Allah (saw), tell me of an action by which I may enter Paradise'.
He said: 'Take to Fasting, there is nothing like it.' [Imam Nasai,
Ibn Hibbaan, Al-Haakim, Saheeh]Every action of the son of Adam is
given manifold reward, each good deed receiving then times its
like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High said, 'Except
for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it, he
leaves off his desires and his food for Me.' for the fasting person
there are two times of joy; a time when he breaks his fast and a
time of joy when he meets his Lord, and the smell coming from the
mouth of the fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of
musk." [Imam Bukhari]"Fasting is a shield with which a servant
protects himself from the Fire." [Imam Ahmad, Saheeh]On the Day of
Judgement, "Fasting will say: O My Lord I prevented him from food
and desires so accept my intercession for him." [Imam Ahmad, Imam
Haakim and Abu Nu'aim, Hasan]There are in the month of Ramadhan in
every day and night those to whom Allah grants freedom from the
Fire, and there is for every Muslim an supplication which he can
make and will be granted." [al-Bazzaar, Ahmad, Saheeh]The Messenger
of Allah (saw) said: He who gives food for a fasting person to
break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, except that
nothing will be reduced from the fasting persons reward." [Ahmad,
at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah, IbnHibbaan, Saheeh].
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5Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
I think a lot of people are confused by the new Arabic name, El
Hajj Malik El Shabazz.Ive
always had the name on my passport, Malik El Shabazz I only used
it in the Muslim
world, well Hajj is a title that is given to any Muslim who make
the Pilgrimage to Makkah
during the official Hajj season one thing that I found in all of
my travels was that all of the
Africans not only the Africans but the Asians, the Muslims Look
upon us as their long
lost brothers, and America had actually tricked many of them
into hands of policy, by giving
them the impression that She was honestly trying to do something
to solve the problem
My argument over there was designed to prove that it is
impossible, for the United States
Government to solve the race problem.Never have I witnessed such
sincere hospitality and
overwhelming spirit of true brotherhood as is practiced by
people of all colors and races.
Here in this ancient Holy Land, the home of Abraham, Muhammad
(SAW) and all the other
prophets of the Holy Scriptures. For the past week, I have been
utterly speechless and
spellbound by the graciousness I see displayed all around me by
people of all colors.I have
been blessed to visit the Holy City of Mecca.
I have made my seven circuits around the Kaaba Led by a young
Mutawaf named
Muhammad. I drank water from the well of the Zam Zam. I ran
seven times back and forth
between the hills of Mount Al-Safa and Al-Marwah. I have prayed
in the ancient city of Mina,
and I have prayed on Mount Arafat. There were tens of thousands
of Pilgrims, from all over
the world.They were of all colors, from blue-eyed blonds to
black-skinned Africans. But we
were all participating in the same Ritual, displaying a spirit
of unity and brotherhood That
my experiences in America had led me believe never could exist
between the white and
non-white. America needs to understand Islam, because this is
the one religion that erases
from its society the race problem.
Throughout my travels in the Muslim world, I have met, talked
to, and even eaten with people
who in America would have been considered white But the white
attitude was removed
from their minds by the religion of Islam. I have never before
seen sincere and true
brotherhood practiced by all colors together, irrespective of
their colour. You may be shocked
by these words coming from me. But on this pilgrimage, what I
have seen, and experienced,
has forced me to Re-arrange much of my thought-patterns
previously held, and to toss aside
some of my previous conclusions.
This was not too difficult for me. Despite my firm convictions,
I have always been a man who
tries to face facts, and to accept the reality of life as new
experience and new knowledge
unfolds it. I have always kept an open mind, which is necessary
to the flexibility that must
go hand in hand with every form of intelligent search for truth.
During the past eleven days
here in the Muslim world, I have eaten from the same plate,
drunk from the same glass, and
slept in the same bed or the same rug while praying to the same
God.
Islam Kills Racism Malcolm X
Published on March 2nd, 2014
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6Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
With racism plaguing America like an incurable cancer, the
so-called Christian white
American heart should be more receptive to a proven solution to
such a destructive
problem. Perhaps it could be in time to save America from
imminent disaster. The same
destruction brought upon Germany by racism that eventually
destroyed the Germans
themselves. Each hour here in the Holy Land enables me to have
greater spiritual insights
into what is happening in America between black and white. The
American Negro never can
be blamed for his racial animosities. He is only reacting to
four hundred years of the
conscious racism of the American Whites.
But as racism leads America up the suicide path, I do believe
from the experiences that I
have had with them that the whites of the younger generation, in
the colleges and
universities will see the handwriting on the walls and many of
them will turn to the spiritual
path of truth the only way left to America to ward off the
disaster that racism inevitably
must lead to. Never have I been so highly honored, never have I
been made to feel more
humble and unworthy. Who would believe the blessing that have
been heaped upon an
American Negro? A few nights ago, a man who would be called in
America a white man, a
united Nations Diplomat, an Ambassador, a companion of kings,
gave me his hotel suite, his
bed never would I have even thought of dreaming that I would
ever be recipient of such
honors honors that in America would be bestowed upon a king. not
a Negro. All praise
is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Sincerely, El-Hajj
Malik El-Shabazz Malcolm X
If I recall I pointed out that while I was at Makkah, making the
pilgrimage, I spoke about the
brotherhood that existed at all levels and among all people who
were there on that Hajj,
who had accepted the religion of Islam and I pointed out that
What the religion of Islam
had done for those people over there, despite their complexion
differences That it would
probably, do America well to study the religion of Islam and
perhaps it could drive some of
the racism from the society as it has driven racism from Muslim
society
Source:
http://www.eaalim.com/download/index.php/blog/entry/islam-kills-racism-malcolm-x.html#sthash.CEJMXVXf.dpuf
With fellow Muslims, whose eyes were the bluest of blue,
whose hair was the blondest of blond, and whose skin
was the whitest of white, and in the words and in the
actions in the deeds of the white Muslims, I felt the same
sincerity that I felt among the black African Muslims of
Nigeria, Sudan, And Ghana We were truly all the same
brothers because their belief in one God had removed
the white from their minds, the white from their behavior,
and the white from their attitude.I could see from this,
that perhaps if white Americans could accept the
oneness of God, then perhaps, too, they could accept in
reality the oneness of Man and cease to measure, and
hinder, and harm others in terms of their differences in
color.
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7Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
Setting goals for Ramadan
Goals are our anchors. Goal-less people drift aimlessly,without
direction or destination in mind. The change in daily routine that
Ramadan brings makes the month an opportune time to set goals for
(and begin) self-improvement. The ultimate and underlying goal of
every believer shouldbe to meet Allaah, pleased and well pleasing.
The mini-goalswe set to accomplish this life mission of ours must
cover all the different dimensions of our lives. Balance between
ourphysical, spiritual, and creative components is the key
toattaining true happiness in this life and the next.This spiritual
element is at the core of the others (as demonstrated to us by
Prophet Ibraheem). If we sincerely pursue the fulfillment of our
spiritual lives, Allaah The Most High promises to facilitate the
other aspects of our wellbeing.Moreover, we must begin with what is
obligatory and not the supererogatory.That said, we are practical
beings, nonetheless, and must set and attain sensible goals. It is
the small and consistent deeds that carry us to great ends. In the
mundane, we often find the seeds of transcendent truth and
everlasting success. So grows the great import in setting these
tedious and ordinary goals. In your planning, be sure to make those
goals smart (sensible, measurable, attainable, realistic,
timely).Settle your accounts before the final
accountingHeedlessness of the Day of Judgment can lead to
carelessness in accounting for one's wealth. We very easily may
become consumed by the desire to gain more to the point of
neglecting our other responsibilities. Financial ambition can (and
has) led many a devout Muslim to place work and lifestyle over
worship. We should first and foremost pray as the Prophet did: "O
our Lord! Make us content with whatever you provide.And so our
financial objectives in this life should complement our ultimate
goal of pleasing Allaah. Know that you will be asked two questions
concerning your wealth on the Day of Judgment: (1) How you earned
your wealth, and (2) how you spent it.With that in mind, consider
these financial tips this Ramadan:1. If your earning is from a
Haraam source, then your first goal should be to quit that
immediatelyor start working toward giving it up and cleaning your
wealth from it. The Prophet said: How excellent the wealth of the
Muslim is, if it is collected through legal means and is spent in
Allaah's cause and on orphans, the poor, and wayfarers. But he who
does not take it legally is like an eater who is never satisfied.
Thus his wealth will be a witness against him on the Day of
Resurrection [Al-Bukhaari].2. If your source of earning is Halaal,
then focus on purifying your wealth by fulfilling any obligations
you may have concerning Zakaah.3. Next, maximize your savings for
the Hereafter by spending your wealth for the sake of Allaah in
Ramadan. The Prophet was the most generous of us all. Yet his
generosity increased even more before and during the month of
Ramadan.
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8Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
Social goalsMuslims should be sincere in their dealings with
others and strive not to harm them. We are exhorted to be quick to
forgive when wronged and must love for others what they love for
themselves. Allaah, The Just, on the Day of Judgment, will not
forgive a harm done by someoneto another until and unless that
person seeks forgivenessfrom the one he/she has harmed or the
harmed one is compensated for the wrong done to them by the one who
harmed him/her.Keep the following in mind as you set goals for your
social life in Ramadan:1. Forgive those who harmed you in any way,
even if you were right (meaning, hold no grudges).2. Hearts become
softer in Ramadan. It's a good time to repair damaged
relationships. Allaah Says what means: The believers are but
brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allaah
that you may receive mercy. [Quran 49:10].3. Ramadan events provide
excellent opportunities to mend (and start) relationships. Invite
friends and family who you've fallen-out with for an Iftaar at your
home. Have Iftaars for neighbors and others you would like to
connect with.4. Spend more time with your family. Take your family
to the Mosque on a daily basis for Iftaar and for the Taraweeh
prayer.Physical goalsOur bodies are a trust from Allaah (as are our
time and wealth). We are accountable for what we do with our bodies
and how we maintain them. Our own body parts will either testify
for or against us on the Day of Judgment. We will also be
questioned as to what we have consumed to sustain our bodies.Health
is important. Check these suggestions out:1. Control what you eat.
Our food must be Halaal. The quality must be wholesome. The
quantity must be moderate. As your eating habits inch closer to
these ideals, you will become healthier, both physically and
emotionally.2. Purify your body parts by pulling them away from
prohibited acts and engaging them in God-pleasing acts.a. If your
tongue is occupied in gossip, cease this and occupy your tongue in
Thikr (remembering and supplicating Allaah).b. If your hands are
used to manipulate scantily clad characters in a video game, then
busy them with helping someone out.c. If your ears are absorbed in
music, then change the tune: Start listening to and reciting Quran
more.Ramadan contains its own motivational energy, free for all to
access. Take advantage. Remember, the obligatory duties are
priority. And goal number one should be to maintain those duties
throughout the year, not just in Ramadan. Be balanced, as well.
'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab said: "Audit yourselves before being audited,
meaning by Allaah on Judgment Day. Use this blessed month to step
back, evaluate yourself, and reset your intentions. Then adjust
your reality.May Allaah make Ramadan a blessed means by which we
attain His pleasure and forgiveness, and a source of positive
change in the lives of each and all of us.
Ameen!http://www.islamweb.net/eramadan/index.php?page=articles&id=153683
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9Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
Enhancing Zuhd in Ramadan
Let us welcome the blessed month of Ramadan this time with a
fresh commitment to our Merciful Creator and Sustainer to reorient
our lives in His way. The most salient lesson of this month of
divine training for the believers is self-restraint and abstinence.
As we train ourselves in abstinence from the necessities of life
for part of a day through the month, we consequently strengthen our
physical as well as mental abilities to abstain from not only what
is illicit (haraam), but also from all that distracts us from the
pursuit of Allaah's pleasure. This mental and spiritual attitude
zuhd - is a necessary weapon for us to fight off the onslaughts of
materialism and snares of Satan.What is zuhudImaam Ibn Qudaamah
Al-Maqdisi defines zuhd as: 'giving up' something for something
better, while what is given up is itself of value in some way. In
other words, zuhdmeans to give up B in return for A, either because
one values A too much or values B too little in comparison.
Commonly, zuhdmeans to refrain from an object of desire in the
pursuit of a nobler objective, particularly refraining from the
desire of this world and pursuing the desire of the Hereafter. He
further says that the best and most perfect of zuhd is to give up
everything for the sake of Allaah. The next in grade is to give up
this world to seek Allaah's Paradise.
Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim defines zuhd as: "An attitude that is the
opposite of being eager and concerned about the life of this world.
In the Arabic language, it means abandoning a matter while
despising it and belittling its significance, so that one will
exchange it for what is more significant."He further says: "I heard
Shaykh Al-Islam IbnTaymiyyah say: 'Zuhd is abandoning what does not
bring about benefit in the Hereafter. Wara' is abandoning what you
fear will have consequences in the Hereafter.' This statement is
one of the best and most comprehensive definitions of Az-Zuhd and
Al-Wara'."Sufyaan ath-Thawry said: "Zuhd in this world means
avoiding hopes of long life, not in wearing thick garments (unlike
what some people with superficial understanding of zuhd
think)."Imaam Hassan Al-Basri said: "Zuhd in this world is not
achieved by prohibiting the permissible, nor by giving away all of
one's wealth. Rather, it means being more certain in what Allaah
has in His hands than about what one has in his hands."Enhancing
Zuhd in RamadanThe best of teachers of mankind said: "The worst
cavity one fills is one's belly, if you must eat make sure you full
one third of your stomach with food, one third with water and leave
one third for air (i.e. leave it empty.)" [At-Tirmithi]
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10Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
The beloved messenger would also encourage finishing our food so
nothing is left in the plate to be thrown away, and he would
encourage even licking the fingers (if one ate using hands), or
giving your plate to someone else to do the same.Another narration
says that one should not leave even a morsel of food to be thrown
away: "for you do not know where the blessing is." [Muslim]Compare
these standards to our way of eating, particularly during Ramadan.
Every known recommendation of the beloved Messenger is flouted.
Food is extravagant and everyone attempts to fill his or her
stomach to the brim. It has become an ironical joke that people
gain instead of losing weight during Ramadan. The discipline and
self-restraint of the day is more than compensated for during the
lavish dinners. Taraweeh prayer is difficult and often skipped as a
result of extravagant engagement with food. Worse yet, the left
over food is sometimes thrown away carelessly.Ramadan is a month of
zuhd, and this pattern must change if the Muslims are to ever earn
zuhd and spiritual as well as physical benefit from this sacred
month. Some practical tips:
1. Eat measured, moderate amount of healthy meals in Suhoor
(pre-dawn meal) and Iftaar (evening break-fast)2. When at some
generous host's place or at a restaurant, do not feel obliged to
finish it all, and have the packed for you to eat later. Don't be
intimidated by un-Islamic pride
- no morsel of food in your possession should be wasted. Food we
eat is sacred in that it is given by Allaah and is full of His
blessings - this is our religious value.3. Invite poor people in
your community to break their fast with you; their respect for food
and Allaah's provisions is often a good lesson.4. Remember the
Prophet's advice on eating moderately - print it out and post it by
your dining table if possible.5. Particularly while fasting,
prevent your heart from getting engaged in something of this world
- food, clothes, celebrities, buildings, or people. An excellent
religious teaching of some of our scholars is to cast down our eyes
and say 'Subhanallaah' (perfection is for Allaah) whenever
something of this world catches our fancy to the point of making us
forget Allaah.6. Pick out audio lectures of scholars whose speech
affects your heart, or recitation of the Quran by your favorite
reciters, and make it a habit to listen to them attentively and
regularly while driving or at home.Remember the Saying of Allaah
(which means) "the life of this world is but amusement and
diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition
in increase of wealth and children." [Quran 57: 20]
http://www.islamweb.net/eramadan/index.php?page=articles&id=140541
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11Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
Blessed Month of Mercy: Advice to Self
Dont let this Ramadan be just a holiday of rituals.
Dont just finish reading the Quran without it transforming
you.
Dont feed your body at suhoor, but starve your heart of
Qiyam.
Dont reduce this downpour of mercy to just a month of sweets
and lavish Iftars.
Seek Allah and you will find Him.
Take a sincere step towards change, transformation
and redemption. If you do, you will find Him in front of
you.
Find Allah this month. Hes been there all along. Closer than
your
jugular vein. Look and youll find. Walk and youll arrive.
-
12Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
Education and Muslims:
End this Witch-Hunt of British Muslims16th April 2014
The Muslim Council of Britain today called for an end to weeks
of speculation that smears British Muslims involved in schools and
the education system. It also raised concerns of the appointment of
a former counter-terrorism official to look into this school
governance matter.
For weeks now, British Muslims have borne the brunt of
allegations that state schools are the target of a 'Muslim
takeover', where supposedly conservative Muslim views and mores are
imposed, and where non-compliant teachers are forced out.
These allegations have thus far been unfounded in any real,
substantial evidence. Yet, this story has been given credence by
the mainstream media without the chance for official inquiries to
start their investigations. The consequences of such idle chatter
are very real. Hatred towards Muslims increase, and negative
perceptions are re-enforced.
We articulate here and now that across our community, we do not
recognise the actions made in these allegations. They represent
sinister caricatures of Muslims that provide fodder for the
far-right.
Having found these allegations to be far-fetched, we agree that
these are serious allegations which must be appropriately
investigated. It is important that the education of all our
children is free of any undue influence and delivered in accordance
with the agreed values and protocols of governance.
It is therefore critical that any investigations are seen to be
impartial and not victimising a community. We agree with an unnamed
Department of Education official who briefed the media yesterday
thus: "It is absolutely vital these investigations are carried out
impartially, without pre-judgment. It would be inappropriate to
comment further at this stage.
And yet, a strong comment has been made by the appointment of
former counter-terrorist chief Peter Clarke to head up this
investigation. We agree with the view of the chief constable of
West Midlands Police, Chris Sims, who considered the appointment of
Peter Clarke to be "desperately unfortunate". Such an appointment
only re-enforces such notions, and once again, our community is
seen through the narrow prism of security and
counter-terrorism.
As a British Muslim community, we have more to offer. Our
schools are some of the best in the country. And Muslim parents who
take the time to be school governors have a lot to offer for the
lifeblood of our education system. The prevailing tone of coverage
on this issue is not only blown out of proportion, but risks
undoing the excellent progress made so far, and will hinder future
progress.
Source: www.mcb.org.uk The Muslim Council of Britain is the UK's
largest Muslim umbrella body with over 500 affiliated national,
regional and local organisations, mosques, charities and schools.
For further information please contact: [email protected]:
www.twitter.com/MuslimCouncil
-
13Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
SUCCESS STORIES OF IDB SCH. BENEFICIARIES
-
14Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
IDB Graduate wins a place at Indian Forest ServiceBr. Abdul
Qayum (IN/2004/114) did B. Tech from IIT Kanpur and started
preparing
for Civil services. He has secured national Rank No. 32 in the
Indian Forest Services
contest IFS-2012. He joined the academy of administration
(www.upsc.gov.in/exams/final-results/ifs/2012/eng.pdf)
Currently, he is doing Ph.D. in Bio-Informatics from JNU New
Delhi and had an oral
presentation in London in Dec-2012. His article is at IEEE
Explore
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/login.jsp?tp=&arnumber=6470939&url=http%3A%2F%2Fieeexplore.ieee.org%2Fiel7%2F6459616
%2F6470811%2F06470939.pdf%3Farnumber%3D6470939
and conference details:
http://www.pubzone.org/pages/publications/showPublication.do?deleteform=true&search=basic&pos=0&publicationId=2221440
IDB Graduate in India has been rank holder throughout her
studies
IDB graduate Dr. Asma Zoya from India has topped many MDS
entrance
examinations. She has secured all India 2nd rank at prestigious
Banaras Hindu
University (BHU) and a 2nd rank at Aligarh Muslim University
(AMU). She has also
secured a 7th rank at AIIMS and 25th rank in AIPGDEE, 2012.
Dr. Asma Zoya joined BDS at Aligarh Muslim University in 2005.
Taking view of her
excellent academic record and difficult financial conditions,
she was selected for IDB
Scholarship Programme (IN/05/88).
She remained a rank holder throughout her studies. She was very
active as an IDB
student and was also appointed Jt. Secretary of IDB Students
Association, North-zone-
II. She was also awarded Excellent Performance Award (EPA) by
IDB, Jeddah in
2008.
She is planning to join Endodontics & Conservative
Dentistry. AIGA UP Chapter
wishes her a bright future ahead.
IDB Graduate in Zambia is very active in community serviceIDB
graduate Dr. Chisoni Mumba (IDB 2001/001) was born in 1979, in
Chipata, Zambia. He finished his secondary education in 2000 and
was admitted to the University of Zambia in 2001. He was awarded an
IDB scholarship in 2001 to study Veterinary Medicine. He graduated
in 2008 and was retained by the University of Zambia as staff
development fellow because of his outstanding performance. He was
sponsored to do a Master of Science in Livestock Economics by
research which he completed in 2012. He has since published 13
scientific papers in international journals indicating his
excellence in science. He is actively involved in community work;
talks on importance of knowledge at various mosques, invited by
Muslim Youth Forum to give motivation talks. He has since helped to
recruit some students currently on IDB Scholarship. He is CPO focal
point and indeed to the entire Muslim Ummah at the University of
Zambia. May Allah give him good health and success in the field of
science and doing good work for the Muslim Ummah.
-
15Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
Dr. Sead Zeynel is a 2009 graduate at the Ss. Cyril &
Methodius University Skopje, Macedonia where he obtained his
Medical Doctor degree and currently he is in his second year of
Internal Medicine Specialty Training, at the same university.
Despite the odds facing a first-generation student with
working-class parents, he has been able to surpass his neglected
municipalitys boundaries in his struggle to set a path for his
professional and academic career, as well as for the better future
of the Muslim community of the country.
Since 2011 he is working at the University Clinic Pulmonology
and Allergy, whereas being employed in an academic setting he will
in short period of time enroll his Ph.D. studies in medical
sciences. Apart from this academic objective, since he is working
in tertiary health care institution, his professional objective is
to sub-specialize in Respiratory diseases.
It is mainly due to his early involvement in research throughout
his medical training that he has reached to be employed at a
teaching hospital whereas beside clinical care the challenge to
develop medical science and shape teaching of the future has
appeal.
Along the successful completion of the medical training and
exams, at the same time he has spent considerable time for
completing a number of scientific papers, whereby, he has been
awarded for best clinical oral presentation at an International
Scientific congress, and having had published a scientific paper at
the European Journal of Medicine for one of those papers, which was
presented at the Europes prestigious clinical center Charite in
Berlin. With this early immersing in scientific work he has
improved his future career prospects in academic medicine.
Upon the beginning of his medical studies he became as involved
as possible in the medical students association of our country. He
has been able to gain and share a lot of experience by working on a
local level, being a national leader (twice elected as Vice
President) and took part in international cooperation.
Now, being one of the founding members and President of the IDB
Graduates Association, as a non-profit organization founded by IDB
graduates, he has a unique vantage point from which to enter
community development. His skill set and background experience will
only further the effectiveness in maintaining and expanding the
ongoing efforts within our community, as well as to inspite more
and strive for the goals we have set for ourselves.
Dr. Sead Zeynelfrom Macedonia
-
3Highlights
COMMUNITY SERVICES BY IDB GRADUATES
Health check and feeding programme for
orphans in KenyaMedical / surgical camp for poor
children in the Philippines
Clothes distribution to needy in IndiaIDB Students in Bangladesh
give
educational items to poor students
Free eye camp in Tanzania
Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53 16
-
17Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
IDB Group President Honoured
Staff Report Published: 19:10 November 25, 2013
Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
Vice-President
and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Monday
presented the Islamic
Economy Award to a number of individuals and institutions. The
Islamic Economy
Award is jointly organised by Thomson Reuters and the Dubai
Chamber of
Commerce, in collaboration with the Dubai Capital of the Islamic
Economy initiative.
Shaikh Mohammad presented Ahmad Ali Al Madani, President of the
Islamic
Development Bank, with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his
key role in
supporting the private sector in the Islamic world.
Shaikh Mohammad also announced winners across the 14 categories
of the award,
which was launched in September. The award aims to acknowledge
efforts made by
business leaders in innovating the best global solutions that
comply with Sharia.
Source:
http://gulfnews.com/business/economy/mohammad-bin-rashid-announces-
islamic-award-winners-1.1259732
SCH-IDB-UMMAH NEWS
-
18Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
29.10.2013, London, United Kingdom-The President of the Islamic
Development Bank (IDB), Dr.
Ahmad Mohamed Ali has said the world cannot be at peace when a
third of the world population is
poor. The President was speaking at the opening ceremony of the
World Islamic Economic Forum in
London, which is the first to be held outside a Muslim majority
country.
The world, certainly cannot be at peace with itself, when about
one-third of us, are poor, without
proper food and shelter, with high unemployment particularly
among youth and women, or at war,
Dr. Ali told the delegates at the conference taking place from
29-31 October 2013.
He therefore called for the reform of global economy in order to
rescue the world from the current
and future economic turmoil.
According to Dr. Ali, for the world to make progress
economically, three key factors must be
considered, namely, reducing economic gap, building trust, and
promoting the role of the private
sector for development. The President suggested that as a
framework for reforming the global
financial system, ensuring stability, he offers Islamic finance
as an alternative.
There is still more room for improvement, said the IDB Group
Chairman, I wish to offer the
principles of Islamic finance, where the real-economy must not
be delinked from the financial
economy
We need to systematically introduce socially responsible
financing and investment. In our view it is
not about financial economy, but human economy that matters, in
the long run, the President told
the gathering of delegates including Kings, Heads of States and
Prime Ministers.
He stated that the Islamic Development Bank is ready to offer
its services for the development of the
Islamic financial industry. He then thanked the British Prime
Minister Mr. David Cameron for the
effort he made in bringing the conference to London, which is
one of the leading commercial centres
in the world.
Present at the opening ceremony were the Prime Ministers of
Malaysia, Pakistan and Morocco, as
well as the Sultan of Brunei, the King of Jordan, the President
of Bangladesh, Kosovo and
Afghanistan, and other key representatives from IDB member
countries.
Source: IDB Bulletin
The World Cannot be at Peace When a Third of it is Poor, Says
IDB President
-
19Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
Custodian of the two Holy Mosques to PatronizeIDB Group Annual
Meeting and Grace Opening of the IDB 40th Anniversary
Celebrations
Jeddah, KSA, 05.05.2014 The city of Jeddah will host the 39th
Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Islamic Development
Bank (IDB) on 24-26 June 2014, under the patronage of the Custodian
of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques will also grace the
opening ceremony of the Annual Meeting as well as the celebration
of the IDBs 40th Anniversary. This was announced in response to an
invitation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques by HE Dr.
Ibrahim Al-Assaf, Finance Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
and Chairman of the IDB Board of Governors.
On the occasion, IDB Group President, Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, on
behalf of the Group, expressed pride over the agreement by the
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to patronize the events and grace
the opening ceremony of the IDB 40th Anniversary Celebrations. Dr.
Ali further stated appreciation over the continued support rendered
by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Crown Prince to
the IDB Group and underlined that the support of the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia has helped the IDB Group continue promoting joint
Islamic action and consolidating cooperation amongst Muslim
countries.
It is worth mentioning that the Islamic Development Bank, in the
past 40 years, has recorded outstanding achievements at various
levels; the number of member countries of the IDB has risen from 22
at the time of establishment to 56 spanning Asia, Africa, Europe
and South America, and its registered capital has risen from nearly
US$ 3 billion to around US$ 150 billion. It has grown from a single
entity to a Group of institutions shouldering a wide spectrum of
tasks and operations comprising the Islamic Research and Training
Institute (IRTI), the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of
Investment & Export Credit (ICIEC), the Islamic Corporation for
the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), and the International
Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC). The amount of IDB Groups
total financings since establishment has reached nearly US$ 100
billion. The Group has been able to strengthen its relations with
member countries through a wide range of programs and initiatives
while creating true partnerships resulting in winning the highest
credit rating from the worlds leading credit rating agencies: AAA
rating for thirteen consecutive years from Standard & Poors,
Moodys and Fitch; all concurring that the unique relationship
binding the Bank with its member countries is one of the most
important pillars which has helped IDB earn this prestigious
rating.
Source: IDB Bulletin
-
20Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
This year is the 40th year of the establishment of the Islamic
Development
Bank. In 1395 H (1975) IDB was established by 22 Muslim
countries and
now reached 56 countries. IDB is celebrating the 40th
anniversary with the
Finance Ministers who are IDB Board of Governors. The Annual
Meeting is
taking place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The IDB Scholarship
Programme
started 30 years ago and the Scholarship Division is celebrating
the 30th
year anniversary with a special event combining the event of
ELA-1434
winners with the invitation to 5 Ministries of IDB member
countries (Jordan,
Malaysia, Pakistan, Tunisia and Turkey) who made major
contribution to the
IDB Scholarship Programme by providing low cost places in their
top
universities. Also invited are some major partner NGOs in
non-member
countries (Bulgaria, Ghana, Philippines, Tanzania and Thailand).
In addition,
ten more guests from international NGOs based in Jeddah and the
King
Abdullah University of Science and Technology have been
invited.
The focus of the special Partners Conference is to examine
the
achievements of 30 years and to plan more effective and
efficient partnership
with all our partners and overcome the obstacles. The venue of
the special
programme on 24th June 2014 is Jeddah Hilton Hotel where the IDB
Finance
Ministers will have their Annual Meeting. The celebration will
also have an
exhibition and the publication of a book namely "30 Years of
Developing
the Ummah: A Legacy of Comprehensive Human Development"
covering
the history of the IDB Scholarship Programme for the first time.
It will not only
have history in a narrative but also have photos and names of
the senior officials who were the leaders of the unique
programme.
Scholarship Division
to Celebrate
30 Years of
Developing the
Ummah in
conjunction with
IDBs 40th Anniversary
-
21Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
Nigerian IDB Education Trust Chairman
among 5 Faisal Award winners
RIYADH: MD RASOOLDEEN (ARAB NEWS)
Wednesday, 15 January 2014 - Five distinguished scholars from
various parts of
the world, including a Saudi, won the prestigious King Faisal
Prize on Tuesday.
The announcement was made at a glittering event on Tuesday
night.
The King Faisal International Prize for Service to Islam was
awarded to Dr.
Ahmed Abou Bakr Lemu of Nigeria.
The King Faisal International Prize for Science (Mathematics)
was awarded to
Prof. Gerd Faltings of Germany. The Prize for Medicine went to
Prof. Yuk Ming
Dennis Lo of China.
The Prize for Arabic Language and Literature was awarded to Dr.
Abdullah
Ibrahim Allawi Albussabah of Iraq. The King Faisal International
Prize for
Islamic Studies went to Prof. Abdulwahab Ibrahim Abou Sulaiman,
a member of
the Council of Senior Islamic Scholars in the Kingdom.
-
3Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
The 2014 IDB Prize in Islamic Banking and Finance is
Jointly Won by Shaikh Muhammad Taqi Usmani (from
Pakistan) and Professor Dr. Rodney Wilson (from UK)
Jeddah, KSA, 08.05.2014 - The Islamic Development Bank has
announced Shaikh Muhammad Taqi Usmani from
Pakistan and Professor Dr. Rodney Wilson from the United Kingdom
as the joint winners of the 2014 IDB Prize in
Islamic Banking and Finance in recognition of the professional
and academic role they have played in advancing
Islamic finance and banking regionally and globally. The Prize
will be awarded to the winners during the upcoming
39th IDB Board of Governors Annual Meeting slated for 2226 June
2014, Jeddah, KSA.
In a statement on the occasion, Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, President
of the Islamic Development Bank
Group, congratulated the laureates on their notable
accomplishments and commended them for their valuable
contribution to the development of Islamic financial services
industry and wished them greater success in all their
endeavors.
During its meeting held at IDB headquarters on 10 April, 2014,
in Jeddah, KSA, the IDB Prize Selection
Committee, comprising eminent scholars and experts from outside
and inside the Bank, unanimously decided to
award the IDB Prize in Islamic Banking and Finance for the year
2014 jointly to Shaikh Muhammad Taqi Usmani
and Professor Dr. Rodney Wilson. As per the statement that
followed the meeting, the selection committee
conferred the prize upon Shaikh Muhammad Taqi Usmani in
recognition of the significant work he has carried
out to crystalize the roles for the implementation of Islamic
finance and to encourage innovations, his participation
in the important ruling on Riba during his distinguished career
as a judge on the Shariah Appellate Tribunal of
Pakistan, his global leadership role as a Shariah scholar
advising and supervising Shariah Boards of Islamic
financial institutions in the Islamic world, Europe, USA and as
Chairman of the Shariah Standard Council of
AAOIFI (Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic
Financial Institutions). The statement also took note
of the impact of Shaikh Usmanis writings in encouraging many to
understand how to implement Riba free lives
and his instrumental role in introducing the teaching of Islamic
Finance within the curriculum of traditional
religious institution.
The selection committee further recognized the role Professor
Dr. Rodney Wilson has played in the promotion
of teaching Islamic finance and in introducing modern management
teaching techniques to Islamic finance that
provided a neutral and objective perspective adding to the
credibility of teaching Islamic finance in the world, his
sustained and continuous teaching, research, supervision and
consultancy works on Islamic finance including with
IFSB (Islamic Financial Services Board) with respect to its
Shariah Governance Guidelines. It also realized his
immense role in mainstreaming Islamic finance and ensuring that
Islamic economics, banking and finance courses
and programs are taught in western universities, which has
resulted in offering of such programs and courses in a
number of universities in the UK and other parts of Europe.
The IDB Prize in Islamic Banking and Finance was first launched
by the Islamic Development Bank in the
year 1988 with the aim of highlighting efforts as well as
rewarding and encouraging outstanding achievements in
Islamic economy, banking and finance. Over the past 24 years
since the launch of the prize, 33 outstanding
researchers and professionals of the fields have won the
prize.
Source: IDB Bulletin
Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53 22
-
23Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
Three Universities Win IDB Prizes in Science and Technology
Jeddah, KSA- 02.04.2014: Three universities in
Indonesia, Malaysia and Palestine have won the
prestigious IDB prize in science and technology
(S&T). This was announced by the President of the
Islamic Development Bank Group (IDB),
Dr.Ahmad Mohamed Ali, after the Selection
Committee of the 12th edition (1435H/2014G) of the
prize presented to him the outcome of the
competition.
The Institute for Research and Community Services
Institute Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia won the
first category for the most outstanding contribution
to social and economic development. Photonic
Research Centre, Universiti of Malaya, Malaysia
won the second category for the most outstanding
contribution to a given scientific field, while the
Faculty of Information Technology, The Islamic
University of Gaza, Palestine emerged as the winner
of the third category for the most noted scientific
institution from a least developed member country.
I congratulate the winners of this competition. IDB
is proud of their achievement. As a development
institution, IDB is inspired by the level of
commitment to scientific and technological research
conducted by these universities, and we hope other
universities in IDB member countries will learn
from their example said Dr Ahmad Ali.
These Prizes were established in 1422H (2002G) to
promote S&T excellence and capacity building in
IDB member countries. Each year, three institutions
are selected by an independent panel of eminent
scientists from the Muslim World to receive the
Prize in the three categories. Each Prize consists of a
cash award of US$ 100,000 and a trophy.
The Prizes will be awarded to the winners by the
Chairman of the IDB Board of Governors in a
special ceremony to be held on the occasion of the
39th IDB Board of Governors Meeting in Jeddah,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during 25-26 June 2014.
Over the past eleven years these Prizes, have been
awarded to 33 institutions in IDB member countries
including: Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran,
Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan,
Palestine, Senegal, Sudan, Tajikistan and Turkey.
Details about the winners of IDB Prizes for this year
are as follows:
Institute for Research and Community Services
Institute Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia
Among the 42 applications received for Category-1
of the Prize for Science & Technology, which
rewards institutions having made outstanding
scientific and technological contribution to the
development of a member country, the Institute for
Research and Community Services - Institute
Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia was selected for its
outstanding achievements.
Photonic Research Centre, University of Malaya,MalaysiaAmong the
61 applications received for Category-2of the Prize for Science
& Technology, whichrewards institutions having achieved
outstandingcontribution to a given scientific field, the
PhotonicsResearch Centre, University of Malaya, Malaysiawas
selected for its outstanding achievements. Thecentre is recognised
as an outstanding photonicsresearch and development centre in the
region. Ithas managed to produce 24 patents for variousoptical
devices and led research and developmentactivities in
nano-particles, optical micro-fibertechnology, bio-photonics, among
others.
Faculty of Information Technology, the IslamicUniversity of
Gaza, PalestineAmong the 25 applications received in Category-3of
the Prize for Science & Technology, whichrewards noted
scientific research institutions in IDBLeast Developed Member
Countries (LDMCs) theFaculty of Information Technology at the
IslamicUniversity of Gaza, Palestine was selected for
itsoutstanding achievements. Despite the verychallenging
environment, this young institution hasbeen prolific in research
and has made excellentcontribution to the advancement of
informationtechnology in Gaza. Several of its research outputshave
been successfully commercialized.
Source: IDB Bulletin
-
Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
IDB Board Approves Nearly US$ 671 Million for Strategic
Development Projects
Jeddah, KSA, 13.05.2014 The 297th meeting of the IDB Board of
Executive Directors, chaired by IDB Group
Chairman Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, praised the generous support
accorded to the IDB Group by the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia and expressed profound appreciation to the
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for accepting
to grace the IDBs 40th Anniversary Celebration and patronize the
39th Annual Meeting of the IDB Board of
Governors to be held in Jeddah during 24-26 June, 2014. The
Board also took note, with appreciation, of Saudi
Arabias decision, last month, to increase the Kingdoms
contribution to IDBs subscribed capital by US$ 11.8
billion in the context of the Banks fifth general capital
increase.
The Board meeting cleared the final draft of the study on: IDB
Group at 40: Retrospective Assessment and 10-
Year Strategic Framework, which the Bank had prepared in
collaboration with a specialized international
consulting agency. The report is expected to be presented at the
upcoming meeting of the IDB Board of
Governors in Jeddah.
The Board meeting, which started on 11 May 2014 in Jeddah,
approved US$ 670.9 million towards new
financing for development projects that included several
strategic projects in different sectors. The largest
amount, US$ 312.8 million, went to the power generation sector -
US$ 222 million for Egypts West Cairo
Power Plant Project, and US$ 90.8 million for the Dakar
Electricity Transmission Project in Senegal.
In the roads and transport sector, the Board approved US$ 110
million towards upgrading the Muyembe-
Nakapiripirt Project in Uganda.
Amongst other financing were US$ 48 million for Bahrains
Muharraq Pearling Heritage Conservation and
Urban Economic Revival Project, US$ 44 million for Bangladeshs
Regional Submarine Telecommunications
Project, and US$ 12.4 million for Mozambiques Inland Aquaculture
and Artisanal Fisheries Development
Project.
In addition, the Board approved US$ 675,000 as grants under IDBs
Waqf fund for four educational and training
projects in Muslim Communities in non-member countries namely,
Bosnia, Cambodia, India and Thailand.
The Board further took note of the allocation of US$ 55 million
approved by the IDB President for support to
the Bilingual Education Project in Nigeria as well as US$ 12.5
million for each of seven West African countries
(Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote dIvoire, Mali, Niger, Senegal and
Togo) in favor of Rural Water Supply and
Sanitation projects.
Source: IDB Bulletin
24
-
Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
Philanthropist Donates SR One billion for 75 Mobile
Health Clinics to be Launched under IDB Supervision
Jeddah, KSA, 14.05.2014 Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank
(IDB)
Group, Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, has praised a generous donation of
SR one billion
(US$ 267 million) by a philanthropist for 75 mobile health
clinics that are to be
launched under IDB supervision in rural and remote areas that
have poor access to
medical services, in IDB member countries and in Muslim
communities in Non-
member countries.
This was announced at the 297th meeting of IDB Board of
Executive Directors held at
the IDB headquarters starting 11 May, 2014. Dr Ahmed Ali
explained that, as per the
choice of the donor, the program will include the launching of
15 mobile clinics in
Pakistan, 15 in India, 15 in Yemen, 10 in Afghanistan, 10 in
Bangladesh, 5 in
Tajikistan and 5 in Kyrgyzstan as well as their operations for
at least 5 years.
Subsequently, the host countries will commit to take charge of
the clinics and operate
them in the most competent and effective way. The IDB President
added that the IDB
would employ whatever it takes within its power to ensure this
noble philanthropic
program is implemented in the highest professional way.
The IDB Group Chairman, furthermore, encouraged capable
philanthropists to follow
suit and sponsor similar projects to serve populations that are
most in need, in
member countries and Muslim communities in non-member
countries.
Source: IDB Bulletin
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26Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
The General Committee of the Merit Scholarship Programme for
Ph.D. and Post-doctorate for all member countries and M.Sc.
Programme for selected member countries were held in IDB
Headquarters on 1 February 2014 with IDB Group President H. E. Dr.
Ahmad Mohamed Ali Al-Madni in the chair to discuss the annual
report on the two Programmes and to approve the next years
operations plan. Dr. Malek Shah Bin Mohd Yusoff, Scholarship
Division Manager presented his report which was widely appreciated
by the Committee. This Committee includes not only IDB Board
members but also 3 prominent Muslim scientists selected by IDB.
The General Committee of the IDB Scholarship Programme for
Muslim Communities in non-member countries (bachelor programme) was
held in the IDB Headquarters on 22 March 2014 again with IDB Group
President H. E. Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali Al-Madni in the chair to
discuss the annual report on the two Programmes and to approve the
next years operations plan. Scholarship Division Manager presented
the report to the Committee. This Committee includes not only IDB
Board members but also two prominent Muslim community leaders from
Africa and Asia selected by IDB.
General Committee of Merit Scholarship Programme
General Committee of Scholarship Programme for
Muslim Communities
General Committees of the IDB Board Meet on Scholarship
Programmes
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3Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
The IDB Scholars Association in UK was launched in 2012
following the directive of H.E. the President during his meeting
with scholars in Oxford in 2011. This was the third annual meeting
of the Association. The meeting was to report the activities of the
association in the past year and handing over the office to the new
committee which was elected through an election just before the
event.
The programme was a day-long event on 22 May 2014 at the
Engineering Department of the Cambridge University. Around 95% of
the current 125 scholars in UK attended the event. The Manager,
Scholarship Division addressed his key-note speech in the opening
session on a theme of Changing the Society through Technological
Development. He urged the scholars to learn from this association
and stay in group under the banner of IDB Alumni to create the
necessary power-base to enforce technological development in their
societies and countries.
The highlight of the event was to hold the first Scientific
Symposium. It was a brilliant and professionally executed event by
the scholars. The credit all goes to the leadership of the
association.
The closing of the programme was marked by giving prizes to best
presenters in the symposium, farewell speech by the outgoing
President of the association and welcome speech of the new
President. In his closing statement, the Manager highly appreciated
the leaders for organizing such a complex event efficiently and
thanked the scholars for their participation and contribution to
make the programme a success.
Organizing the Annual Meeting of the Association coupled with
holding of a Scientific Symposium and conducting an election just
prior to that is a complex matter that the leadership of the
association has executed successfully. This shows the spirit,
capabilities and commitment of the IDB scholars in meeting the
objectives of IDB Merit Scholarship Programme. The association
deserves full patronage and support from the IDB to keep up their
commitment and sense of belonging to IDB to deliver by the
objective of the IDB as they will return home.
Annual Meeting of IDB Scholars Association UK
at Cambridge University
Group photo after opening session
Opening session key-note speech of Manager, Scholarship
Division
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3Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
1st Scientific Symposium of
IDB Scholars Association UK
22 May 2014 Cambridge University
The IDB Scholars Association in UK has entered its 4th year
offunctioning having concluded the 3rd Annual Meeting. The
Association was formed upon the directive and guidance of H.E. the
President, IDB Group during the meeting with IDB scholars in UK in
2011, has made tremendous progress. With the increased number of
scholars in UK, the Association has made its presence well known to
all parties in Higher Education Sector in UK. IDB is now a renowned
international sponsor.
As the last two annual meetings, i.e. 2012 and 2013 were just
gathering of scholars to pick up the pace of their activities, this
3rd Annual Meeting has made its mark with the organizing of the 1st
Scientific Symposium. The features of the symposium may be outlined
as follows:
i) The symposium was structured in three main topics, i.e. Life
Science, Applied Science and Engineering Sciences and
Sustainability.
ii) Combined in all three categories, a total 68 posters and
abstracts were submitted by the scholars. These posters were put up
for public display as exhibition of the symposium.
iii) Each poster and abstract was discussed in respective
session under the chair of a moderator.
iv) A Scientific Committee consisting of professors from
Cambridge and other universities and some senior IDB scholars
reviewed the posters and abstracts to select the best ones for
award.
The above shows that the symposium had all the features of an
international scientific seminar, i.e. exhibition, technical
discussion and selection for award.
The IDB delegations attending the event has witnessed the
symposium as truly scientific seminar of international standard. It
is a pride for the IDB that its scholars has engaged themselves not
only to uplift their professional abilities, but also demonstrated
a high-level of leadership quality by organizing such a
symposium.
The credit also goes to the Cambridge University for hosting
this event. It has made availablea lecture hall for main gathering
and another three rooms for different sessions of the
symposium, free of charge. This is possible because of large
concentration of IDB scholars atthe Cambridge University. IDB is
now the second largest sponsor at the Cambridge University.
It is worthwhile to mention here that the IDB scholars have
lived up to IDBs expectations to fulfil the directives of the IDB
management. We need to patronize and fully support the association
to keep up their spirit of fulfilling the objectives of the IDB.
The Scholarship Division strongly believe that through their
activities in this association, the scholars will sufficiently
prepare themselves to acquire international name and fame, and
taking up leadership role in their respective country.
Poster Exhibition
Awards to best presenters
A chair in session
Discussion session-2Discussion session-1 28
Visitors discussion on posterswith the authors
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3Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
Message from Br. Ziyad Abunada, on behalf of the Election
Committee,
IDB-UK President
It is a matter of great pleasure to announce the new Executive
Committee of the
IDB-UK Scholars Association for 2014-2015. The elected committee
members are
as follows:
President Hussain Nusamba Nottingham University
Vice President Shams Tania Islam Oxford University
Secretary Jamal Zaherpour Nottingham University
Treasurer Kher Xing Chan (Cindy) Cambridge University
Spokesperson Reem Bedair Cambridge University
Congratulations and best wishes to the new committee members.
Congratulations
and thanks also to all IDB UK scholars for this success and
their participation. This
would have not been really possible without the help,
participation and involvement
of IDB Scholars in UK.
Special thanks to Br. Tanvir Qureshi and Br. Muhidin Abdullahi
for their active
participation and cooperation.
New Executive Committee for IDB-UK
Scholars Association, 2014-2015
Handing over to the new Committee
Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53 29
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3Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
Meeting with the Cambridge Trust
The meeting reviewed the implementation of the MoU which both
parties found very satisfactory. The IDB delegation thanked the
Trust for enhancing the allocation from 5 to 15. It was urged to
the Trust to make some compaign through the university channels to
attract candidates from low participating countries in Central Asia
and North and West Africa.
Meeting with Imperial College London (ICL)
The visit to ICL was to follow-up the agreement offering
discounts to IDB-sponsored scholars. The ICL officials, led by the
Vice Provost for Education informed that they are working with the
departments in science and engineering faculties to agree on the
20% discount to IDB scholars as being offered to Commonwealth
scholarships. Some of the departments have already agreed and they
are now waiting for remaining departments to respond. They hope
that it will be done shortly to effect from the next academic
year.
Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53 30
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3Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
A mission of the Scholarship Divisionwas mounted to visit
Pakistan during 30March 3 April 2014 to sort outtechnical issues
for implementation ofthe proposal by discussing the matterswith
Eminent Scientist Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, COMSTECH officials
andvisiting a Centre of Excellence. Themission also took the
opportunity todeal with other related matters such asmeeting with
the IDB Governors Officeto review the implementation of
IDBscholarship programmes in Pakistan andcounselling session for
the IDBundergraduate students in Pakistan.The mission was
undertaken by Dr.Malek Shah bin Mohd. Yusoff, Manager,Scholarship
Division and Br. AdelAbdulwahab Sindi, Lead ScholarshipOfficer.
Mission to Pakistan
Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53 31
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3Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
A 2-member mission, headed by Br. Saeed Zafar, Scholarship
Programme Specialist and accompanied by Br. Mostafa Makraoui,
Scholarship ProgrammeAssistant, visited Madagascar (one of the SPMC
beneficiary countries) during the period 12 -16 April 2014.
The mission managed to meet the with officials of Fikambanana
Silamo Malagasy, the Counterpart Organization of the IDB
Scholarship Programme in Madagascar, IDB-sponsored students and
graduates as well as community leaders and representatives of local
NGOs. The mission also managed to visit University of Madagascar,
public university in Antananarivo, the capital of country, and
managed to meet five IDB-sponsored students studying medicine and
engineering.The mission observed Madagascar as one of the
under-developed country, French is the language of communication
and education at all levels, maintained high standard of education,
obtaining admission for higher/university level is very competitive
and unemployment rate among educated youth is very high.
The mission recommended IDB to continue its Scholarship
Programme with increase in their annual quota, if possible in
future, as well as a special assistance packages for Muslim
community through its Special Assistance Programme.
Mission to Madagascar
Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
Meeting with officials of Fikambanana Silamo Malagasy, the
Counterpart Organization of the IDB Scholarship
Programme in Madagascar,
Meeting with IDB students and graduates
Mission outside the office of Counterpart Organization after
meeting
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3Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
SAP Scholarship Solution
After many years of efforts, Go Live for SAP Scholarship
Solution was achieved. Phase 1 has been launched and implemented.
Thanks to the IDB
Management, H.E. the Vice President (Cooperation &
Capacity
Development), IT
Department and the
GBEST / SAP
implementation
team for their
tireless support. It
will definitely help
the Scholarship
Division to improve
its services to the
clients in future, In
Shaa Allah.
Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
SAP and Scholarship teams at discussion
33
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3Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
MID-TERM REVIEW OF 5 YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN
14 (17%)
35 (43%)
18 (22%)
2 (2%)
13 (16%)
Target Exceeded
Target Met
Target Partiallay Met
Target Not Met
Target Dropped
Overall Performance
The Scholarship Division recently carried out mid-
term review of its 5-year Strategic Plan to consolidate
core tasks and accommodate new ones.
The purpose of this exercise was to monitor and
evaluate the processes and more importantly the
outcome to see the impact of the Programme in a
way that is cost-effective and consistent across our
partners and beneficiary students/scholars. The
Division has been successful in achieving or
exceeding 60% of the targets. The Division revised
the targets of the remaining period to achieve the
plan.
Findings:- The Strategic Plan proposed a set of 37 SPOs and
82
milestones leading to greater accountability andeffective
delivery at every level.
- Divisions overall performance at Mid-Term against KPIsand
targets is 60%.
- 51% out of overall performance are from CoreStrategic
Programmme Objectives.
- While the Division has done well in most of the CoreStrategic
Programme Objectives, in other areas,performance has been
inadequate; because they arenot under direct control of the
Division such as IETsand IGAs.
34
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3Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53Amnah Quarterly
Newsletter - Issue No. 53
Retirement of Scholarship Division Officer
Br. Abulmayeen Shaharuqul Huq
After 34 years of distinguished service in the IDB,
Br. Abulmayeen Shaharuqul Huq has retired at the
end of Rajab 1435H (May 2014). His seven years
senior role in managing the prestigious IDB Merit
Scholarship Programme for High Technology (MSP)
for Member Countries was the peak of his career
where he excelled in various aspects of programme
management with efficiency and effectiveness as
testified by his colleagues and IDB scholars alike.
He took the responsibility of this major task with
great commitment and competence such that when something had to
be
done to protect the interest of the scholars, he spent longer
hours to get the
job done. Even during the final days of his career, when
retirement was
approaching close, he was deeply involved in his work to serve
the scholars
and IDB. This exceptional loyalty to serve the programme and IDB
is matched
by his high level of intellectual capacity, writing skills,
ethical standards and
inter-personal skills that was visible for all his
colleagues.
Br. Abulmayeen is from Bangladesh and will be returning to his
country soon
in sha Allah. He remains energetic with experience and expertise
which he
can use to benefit his country and the Ummah in some capacity.
It is most
unlikely that he will stay without some form of learning and
social roles as he
is most keen to learn about the current affairs and the progress
of nations. As
a global citizen who served the 56 IDB member countries, he is
admired by
the IDB scholars in all the countries which received his high
quality services.
The Manager of Scholarship Division, Dr. Malek Shah, admired his
qualities
as an exemplary Muslim professional. MSc Programme leader, Br.
LakdharKadkadi of Tunisia, has taken over his role to lead the
MSP.
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3Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53
Employee of the Month Award in Scholarship Division
The IDB Scholarship Division Managerintroduced Employee of the
MonthAward based on what is known as 360degree scoring system. It
means that allthe staff of the Division will give scoringto the
eligible staff which will be collatedand the highest scorer will be
the winnerif he has 80% or more score. The contestis based on
Attitudes, Knowledge andSkills covering 18 aspects. Br.
AhmedMohamed Lahman, Senior TechnicalAssistant is the last
recipient of theaward.
Amnah Quarterly Newsletter - Issue No. 53 36
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IDB Scholarship Programme Official Newsletter ISSN 1319 0482
(Internal Newsletter for the IDB-sponsored Students, Graduates
& Partners)
ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK GROUP
Scholarship Division, Special Assistance Department
P.O. Box 5925, Jeddah 21432, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Telephone: (00966-2) 646 6833
Fax: (00966-2) 646 6887
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Website: www.isdb.org
IDB graduates in Tanzania providing
drinking water supply at school