Generating the True Hope

Commemorating Abu Bakr as-Siddiq RA

“O man, I had been appointed among you though I am not the best among you. Therefore, if you see me in truth, please help me; and if you see in vanity, please reprimand me. Obey me as long as I obey Allah, and leave me once I leave Allah.” That’s the word of Sayyidina Abu Bakr as-Siddiq once after being appointed as the first Rashidun Caliph.

Sayyidina Abu Bakr as-Siddiq RA is always be remembered by Muslims throughout the ages.

We remember him not only because of being the closest companion of Rasulullah SAW, and not only because of being the successor of Rasulullah SAW as the first Rashidun Caliph. It is because his towering personality. It is also because of his great economic, political and social contributions to Islam and the Muslim Ummah.

Therefore, his name was immortalised by the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) upon two residential colleges: Mahallah as-Siddiq in Gombak Campus and Mahallah Abu Bakr in Petaling Jaya Campus.

Remembering Past Years of Mahallah as-Siddiq

Mahallah as-Siddiq has a long and colourful history.

Past years will always be remembered by everyone who worked hard for the Mahallah as-Siddiq, IIUM Gombak.

This Mahallah has been one of the best Mahallah in IIUM Gombak Campus. Last year, we were the 2nd best.

This Mahallah held 7 overall championships of IIUM Sports Carnival. The last time we got it was in 2013.

This Mahallah also managed to conduct numbers of programmes, catering needs of this Mahallah and its residents, in line with the Statement of Direction of this University. These include international programmes, like what we had in the Saigon Entrepreneurship Challenge 2013.

Many factors contributed to these achievements, including good governance, high spirit of teamwork, continuous cooperation and better understanding towards the University direction.

Now, these memories are remain memories for us all. Therefore, we are so indebted to them.

Overcoming Challenges

We are witnessing a series of changes.

We are experiencing new regulations and policies. At the same time, we are seeing endless suppression and depression every time and everywhere. We are ruled under inconsistent principles. We are living in the high living cost era.

Those changes are all challenges. However, it doesn’t mean that we can’t go forward anymore.

We need to strategize wisely.

As a leader, he will try his best to overcome these challenges though he need to go alone. Unfortunately, once we understand the nature of our society, a leader is unable to go alone.

We are all leaders, including those who are following us from the rear. Everyone who live in this world, as a vicegerent of Allah SWT, must realise this fact.

That’s what our Mahallah want from all of its residents, including their leaders.

As a leader, he has a responsibility of finding a formula to lead and to bring his followers towards the best according to the best of his ability.

Inside “Generating the True Hope”

Every leader has its own formula. Every formula introduced to its targets has a reason. It is not only a formula, but also more than a formula, which consists of targets and initiatives, based on the current situation sighted by a leader.

The Prime Minister introduced his concept with its own reason: To maintain the economic, political and social stability of our country.

The Chief Minister of Selangor introduced his own concept with its own reason: To release the burden of peoples of Selangor in the face of many crises.

The President of our own Student Representative Council (SRC) introduced his own concept also with its own reason: To empower students of this University collectively.

That’s the reason the notion of “Generating the True Hope” is introduced. This Mahallah wants everyone worked and resided in every inch of this Mahallah involve in making our aim a true by following the True Way.

This notion comes with four strategies.


Strategy 1: Commemorating Basic Principles

The first strategy is to commemorate basic principles.

In this strategy, every Mahallah leader has not only to understand the Statement of Direction of this University, but also to apply it when conducting Mahallah activities. To prepare Mahallah leaders towards this understanding, the Mahallah comes out with an annual Mahallah Leadership Training.

In this strategy also, every Mahallah leader has to implement Islamic lifestyle and culture. Islam is a religion, which contains the complete lifestyle, covering all aspects of life. As a Muslim, one of his obligated responsibility is to be a true Muslim, and to translate it into actions, words and intentions.

Realising this, our Mahallah Representative Committee (MRC) will come out with activities related to Dakwah and Tarbiyyah (DNT) – in meaning, Discipline and Islamic Care – throughout the year, including a periodical Usrah gathering, coordinated by Student Affairs and Development Division (STADD).

Strategy 2: Energising the Synergy

The second strategy is to energise the synergy. Through this strategy, this Mahallah calls each of its stakeholder to work shoulder by shoulder in realising anything that will bring benefit to this University, especially to this Mahallah.

There are two initiatives to drive this strategy. First, to strengthen relationship between all Mahallah stakeholders. Second, to establish external relationship.

Under the first initiative, our MRC will always maintain continuous communication with the Mahallah authority. This Mahallah is also about to utilise Block Representatives, the subset of MRC, maximally. This is to ensure smooth drive of this Mahallah.

Establishment of Mahallah Executive Meeting since a long time ago eases this initiative. This Meeting is held periodically to discuss issues related to the Mahallah. Two of its members are Mahallah representatives, who are responsible to bring the concern of Mahallah residents to the knowledge of the Mahallah authority.

However, strengthening internal relationship only is not enough. As a leader, he has the responsibility of establishing and taking good care of diplomacy. Therefore, under the second initiative, we will focus on two efforts: To re-establish an intercampus relationship, and to establish a new diplomatic relationship.

IIUM Kuantan Campus is so special. Located on a 1000-acres site in Indera Mahkota, Kuantan, it placed not only all 6 science-based Kulliyyat, but also 3 Mahallat. As all Mahallat were opened officially in November 2014, the Mahallah would like to take an opportunity of re-establishing a relationship between IIUM residential student leaders in Gombak and those in Kuantan.

Under the same initiative, this Mahallah would like to commemorate appointment of Malaysia as the Chairman of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2015, and to take benefit from establishment of ASEAN Economic Community by conducting an international programme. Our MRC tries its best to realise it by January 2016.

Strategy 3: Improvising Vital Services and Amenities

Mahallah as-Siddiq is so fortunate. Its residents deserved the best services since past years ago, provided by the most dedicated staffs. As their representatives, we are so thankful to them.

Today, they resided in a comfortable room, equipped with quality items. They are able to sleep tight, to study well as well as to continue their days in peace and harmony. They continue submitting to Allah SWT in the cosy Musolla. They tasted various types of foods and beverages at a satisfied price in our Café. They stand and play over our colourful Futsal Court and bluish Tennis table enjoyably.

Yet, there are seasonal circumstances. This Mahallah needs renovation and beautification periodically. Therefore, the third strategy is to improvising vital services and amenities. Under this strategy, this Mahallah is expected to continue maintaining amenities and providing excellent services.

At the same time, this Mahallah urges everyone residing in its area to always be grateful and take good care of items and facilities given by this Mahallah. In view of this, we will continue promoting these practices to all Mahallah residents.

Strategy 4: Producing the Champion of the Community

A member of IIUM community is always competing each other to be a winner in various aspects. As we stick to our principle of being “Always the Truth”, Mahallah as-Siddiq aims to be the champion, so the last but not least is to produce the champion of the community.

Under this strategy, our MRC will focus on applying and practicing seven soft skills promoted by this University – communication, teamwork, leadership, critical and creative thinking, entrepreneurship, lifelong learning, and ethics and professional value. These are essences of a skilful person, who later become a beneficial in the future. Through this kind of initiative, our MRC will come out with series of activities and, at the same time, to participate in programmes related to those natures.

Under this strategy also, we will focus freely on engendering talents in niche areas. Although the University’s niche areas are only debating and public speaking, and sport and recreation, there are more niche areas to be explored, including entrepreneurship, sport and recreation, art and culture, and community service. For that, our MRC will plan and participate in activities related to those niche areas.

Implementation

As a leader, he gives the best in strategizing his plan wisely and carefully.

He can come out with hundreds and thousands of ideas and formulas; but it will remain nothing unless through efficient and effective drive of implementation by his followers. For that reason, this Mahallah looks forward to see that this notion, consisting of four strategies and numbers of initiatives, will be made a notable success.

Our success will be measured as per our readiness of driving this Mahallah and its activities, our desire to lend our hand and our energy to all residents, and our will to develop every one of us. Believe it.

On that account, we pledge to do better than the past. Let us uphold the good name of this Mahallah and this University. Let us go forward, shoulder by shoulder, following the True Way, to be “Always the True” by “Generating the True Hope”.

We pray to the Almighty Allah that He will keep our steps passing over the True Path; and that He will always assist us in undertaking everything.

At last, don’t forget that, “We are Siddiq!”

AWANG ABDUL MUIZZ BIN AWANG MARUSIN
President, MRC as-Siddiq (Gombak), IIUM

Mahallah as-Siddiq Leadership Training 2015
Saturday, 4 April 2015

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