Take a Break!

Whew, it been such a long time since the last update. I got unexpectedly busy since Taaruf Week 2005 way back in July, handling various programmes one after another. FYI, Taaruf Week is considered as the biggest event ever in MCIIUM and it's committee members are usually highly demanded afterwards. ;-) Alhamdulillah that I'm graduating this Semester so I'm not eligible for a student council post. Anyway, I'll be facilitating the training camp for the newly elected student leaders next week at Tanjung Tuan and I'm looking forward for a great time there. I plan to stop being a major player in organizing programmes after that but I haven't trained my successor yet.

Since July I had involved in organizing various programmes such as:
- Taaruf Week 2005
- Guidance & Counselling Club AGM
- Inspirational Talk II
- Inspirational Talk III - Nizal Mohammad TV3
- Motivasi Pelajar SRA Petaling Jaya
- Five Nasyid Performances (Madani)

My role is pretty much the same for all the programmes - which is photographer/technician and the ocassional speech writing. I wrote the speech for the Manager of Taaruf Week for the Opening Ceremony and it's a statisfaction of it's own way for me. Below is the speech:

(This speech is personally approved and written with the Deputy Dean so it might be useful as a reference for IIUM students).

Bismillahirrahminirrahim

Honorable guest, Professor Dr. Ismawi Hj. Zen, Acting Rector of the International Islamic University Malaysia. Our beloved Dean Tuan Haji Abbas Hassan. Our dedicated Deputy Dean of Student Activities Department, Madam Siti Humaiyah Bakri, my respected and beloved teacher, senior officers of the Centre, Brothers and sisters.

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullah.

Praise be to Allah for giving us the opportunity to gather here for the opening ceremony of Ta’aruf Week 2005/2006.

First and foremost I would like to welcome all of you, my brothers and sisters, to the Matriculation Centre, International Islamic University Malaysia and specifically to the Ta'aruf Week 2005/2006. I'm also glad to extend my warm welcome from the IIUM family to all our brothers and sisters who have chosen to join us this year. May your stay with us throughout the duration of your course be one of the most memorable chapters in your lives.

Brothers and Sisters,

Taaruf Week is not merely an orientation, it’s much more than that. We get to know each other, among the older brothers and sisters, and between the younger ones. We also get to know IIUM, especially the Matriculation Centre, the Gateway to the Garden of Knowledge and Virtue.

As the saying goes, 'Tak kenal maka tak cinta'. With that in mind the Taaruf Week is planned so that our new brothers and sisters could achieve understanding and feel wel
comed and accepted within the big IIUM family. This is important so that together we work towards achieving the mission and vision of IIUM.

As we live in the Era of Globalization, we have to compete with the rest of the world, not just with our fellow countrymen. Given this situation, only the fittest and outstanding will excel. However do not be afraid, IIUM as an international university has planned it's programmes with the challenges of globalization in mind, to make each of the student competitive on the global arena and uphold the name of the ummah.

A mere degree nowadays is not a guarantee of success. Only those with outstanding qualities can excel in their respective field. And all of this is encompassed within our mission, the Triple ICE. Islamization, Integration, Internationalization and Comprehensive Excellence.

Integration and Internationalization will ensure that all of us can work hand in hand with people from various nations, races, backgrounds and beliefs.
Comprehensive Excellence differentiates us from the others with well-rounded hard skills as well as soft skills which equip us with world-class competencies.
And in this ever-challenging world Islamization ensures that we hold fast to our faith and perform our duties with Amanah.

My dear Brothers & Sisters,

Islam enjoins it’s believers to not only be Amanah or trustworthy but we, as students must also inculcate in ourselves a culture of ‘grateful appreciation’. We all know that without the support and financial assistance of the government of the day, we would not be able to be here to pursue our studies and eventually to improve the socio-economic status of our families, ourselves and over and above all these, to contribute to our race, religion, and our beloved motherland.

As torchbearers for the ummah, the Amanah entrusted upon our shoulders is not to be underestimated. As you are aware, the best weapons to fight the enemies of Islam with, is knowledge.

Therefore my brothers and sisters I bid you to take the opportunity during your campus life to fully maximize your time and resources into the right path. Do not spend your time and energy on unhealthy and non-beneficial activities. This is the most important phase of your life that would determine the path to your future.

We are here to assist and guide you in whatever capacities within our means. I wish you all the best and may your journey through the Gateway to the Garden of Knowledge and Virtue be a memorable and eventful one.

Last but not least, on behalf of the organizing committee I would like to thank Professor Dr. Ismawi Hj. Zen, Acting Rector IIUM for officiating the opening ceremony of this year’s Taaruf Week in spite of your busy schedule. Thank you also from the bottom of our heart to the steering and working committee and staff of MCIIUM for making this event possible. Most importantly I would like to congratulate my fellow committee members who work hard to ensure the smooth running of this Taaruf Week.

Wassalam