International Forum “Plight of Muslims in Burma in the 21st century: An initiative for solution & the way forward

International Forum “Plight of Muslims in Burma in the 21st century: An initiative for solution & the way forward” IAIS

Wednesday, 19 June 2013 09:30

Date: Wednesday, 19 June 2013 Time: 09:30am  -  02:00pm Venue: Conference Hall, IAIS Malaysia [click for location map]    Main Organisers: International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia Rohingya Arakanese Refugee Committee (RARC) Burma Muslim Community (BMC) Event Partners: International Movement For A Just World (JUST) Muslim Youth Movement Of Malaysia (ABIM) Malaysian Youth Council (MBM) Persatuan Mahasiswa Islam Universiti Malaya (PMIUM) Jaringan Anak Muda (JAM) Al-Fikrah.Net Institute for Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) The Cordoba Foundation (TCF) The Diplomatic Institute of the State of Qatar (TDI) Global Movement of Moderates Foundation (GMMF)  Media Partners: Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) TV Al-Hijrah Radio IKIM FM Al-Jazeera International The Arakan Observer Group Rohingya Vision TV Sinar Harian Aswaq Magazine Amilin TV Keynote Address by YABhg Tun Abdullah Hj Ahmad Badawi, Patron Of IAIS Malaysia And Former Prime Minister Of Malaysia Opening Speech by Professor Dr. Mohammad Hashim Kamali, Founding Chairman & CEO, IAIS Malaysia Moderator Associate Professor Dr. Mohamed Azam Mohamed Adil, Deputy CEO, IAIS Malaysia Speakers Dr. Chandra Muzaffar, President, International Movement For A Just World (JUST) Dr. Maung Zarni, Fellow, Department Of History, Faculty Of Arts & Social Sciences, University Of Malaya Mr. Mohammad Sadek, Program Coordinator, Rohingya Arakanese Refugee Committee (RARC) Mr. Saw Clo Say, Special Advisor, Burma Muslim Community Mr. Mohamad Raimi Bin Ab Rahim, Secretary General, Muslim Youth Movement Of Malaysia (ABIM) Introduction Muslims Of Burma Are Currently Subjected To Genocidal Action, Ethnic Cleansing, Religious Hindrance, Continuous Expulsion And Extermination From Their Ancestral Homeland, While Hundreds Of Them Are Currently At Risk In A  Perilous Plight. Besides, Tens Of Thousands Of Muslims Are Languishing In A Sub-Human And Displaced Situation. They Are Also  Confronted By Buddhist Extremists And The Ruling Military Authorities At Every Moment And So The Lives Of Muslims In Burma Could Not Be In A Worse Condition. Muslim Rohingyas In Arakan State, Burma Have Been Facing Continuous Segregation, Starvation, Frequent Attacks And Being Killed At The Average Rate Of 3 Persons In An Hour, While Muslims In Central Burma Are Spending Their Lives In Fear And Tears. In This Regard, The Need For Their Protection And Security Is  Very  Important And Hence Effective Advocacy And Campaigning Are Very Much Needed To Support Their Fundamental Human Rights, Human Security And Human Dignity In The Spirit Of Achieving Peace And Harmony. Objectives To Focus On Sectarian Violence, Segregation, Displacement, Forcible Expulsions And Intolerance Against Muslim Minorities In Burma; To Create A Better Atmosphere For  Exiles With A View To Develop Sympathetic Treatment For The Victims Of Genocide And Humiliations; To Exert Effective Pressure On The Burmese Authorities To Stop The Maltreatment And Violence Against The Muslims Of Burma And To Ensure Their  Rights Of Citizenship And Human Dignity Are Respected. Programme (Tentative) 09:30am-10:00am  Arrival of guests and registration 10:00am-10:10am  Opening Speech by Professor Dr Mohammad Hashim Kamali 10:10am-10:25am  Keynote Address by YABhg Tun Abdullah Hj Ahmad Badawi 10:25am-10:30am  Welcoming remarks by moderator 10:30am-12:00pm  Presentation by speakers 12:00pm-01.00pm  Open discussion and Q&A session 01:00pm-02:00pm  Networking lunch and Zuhr prayer Admission is FREE, all are welcome to attend with pre-regsitration (registration link at the top of this page). Contact Information International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia Jalan Elmu, Off Jalan Universiti 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: +603-7956 9188  Fax: +603-7956 2188 / +603-7956 2966 Email: reply@iais.org.my Third International Conference on Islam and Higher Education (3rd ICIHE) Theme: The Role of Awqaf in the Development of Islamic Higher Education: the Past, the Present, and Future Prospects Dates: 30th September – 2nd October 2012 Venue: Pahang State Foundation Complex, Kuantan, Malaysia Co-organizers: IAIS Malaysia, Pahang State Foundation, and IKIP International College Introduction It is now for the third time in three consecutive years that an international conference on Islam and higher education (ICIHE) has been held in Malaysia.Now that the 3rd ICIHE is currently in progress, we may proudly claim that the idea of having a series of ICIHEs, each dealing with a specific theme pertaining to contemporary Muslim higher education, that will last for years to come has become a reality. This series of ICIHEs owes its origin and development to the close and steady collaboration between IAIS Malaysia, the Pahang State Foundation, and IKIP International College, which have worked hard to make this series a reality. Undoubtedly, however, it is the personal interest and commitment of Dato’ Seri Diraja (Dr) Adnan Yaakob, the Menteri Besar of Pahang, who is also the Chairman, Pahang State Foundation to the development of Muslim higher education among the ummah, and the generosity of the Foundation that have made this series possible, The theme chosen for the 3rd ICIHE is “The Role of Awqaf (“Endowment”) in the Development of Islamic Higher Education: the Past, the Present, and Future Prospects.” It is a follow-up to the theme of the 2nd ICIHE “The Empowerment of Muslim Communities in Private Higher Education.” Although the issue of the importance of awqaf to Muslim higher education was raised during the 2nd ICIHE, it was not then sufficiently discussed, since it was not the main objective of that conference. Accordingly, in order to do full justice to this very significant subject of Muslim concern, the 3rd ICIHE is to be devoted entirely to discussions of awqaf in its specific relation to the development of Muslim higher education. The greater part of traditional Muslim education at all levels, including the tertiary, owes its origin, development, and progress to the awqaf institution. The famous Al-Azhar University in Cairo, founded in 970 CE, is an excellent example of an awqaf-funded Muslim higher education institution that was later to serve as a model for many private Western universities. The first degree-granting university in the world, the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fes, Morocco, founded in 245 AH/859 CE by a woman, Fatimah Fihriyyah, was similarly financed by its waqf revenues. In short, awqaf played a central role in the birth of the modern university. It is extremely important for the contemporary Muslim ummah to revive the best of past Islamic traditions in envisioning and realizing the central role of awqaf in the development of the ummah’s education, particularly at the college and university levels. There is a real need to re-examine the awqaf tradition as a source of societal values and as an institution in the light of contemporary challenges facing the ummah in the field of education. It is with this awareness that the organizers of the 3rd ICIHE consider the choice of the role of awqaf in the development of Islamic higher education as its theme as most appropriate to the ummah’s current societal needs. The main hope is that the conference will help to break new grounds and chart new directions in Muslim thinking and practices on awqaf-based higher education. Objectives of 3rd ICIHE ·To create a better awareness and understanding among Muslims on the general importance of the Islamic institution of awqaf to the development and progress of the ummah in various areas of societal life ·To better understand the various facets of institutional interactions between awqaf and education in Muslim societies, both in the past and in our present times ·To derive useful lessons from past practices of awqaf in higher education in various Muslim communities ·To harness the great potentials of the awqaf institution to serve as assets to Muslim higher education in the 15th century AH/21st century CE ·To formulate an ummatic approach to the development of the awqaf institution in the service of Muslim higher education ·To help strengthen the identity of the Muslim ummah through the empowerment of the awqaf institution Sub-themes of 3rd ICIHE ·The meaning and significance of awqaf as a religious and socio-economic institution in Islam ·The historical development of awqaf in relation to education ·Important lessons to be learnt from past practices of awqaf in Muslim societies ·Case studies and aspiring models of educational institutions founded on awqaf ·Awqaf and contemporary Muslim higher education: problems and challenges ·Transforming major mosques into Muslim institutions of higher learning ·The future role of awqaf in the development of Muslim higher education Tentative Programs 30 September 2012 (Sunday) ·Arrivals of speakers and participants ·Registration of participants 1st October 2012 (Monday) 8.00 am – 9.00 am: Registration of participants and arrival of guests 9.00 am – 10.00 am: Official Opening of 3rd ICIHE ·Welcoming speeches by organizers ·Official opening and keynote address by the Menteri Besar of Pahang and Chairman, Pahang State Foundation, YAB Dato Sri Diraja Adnan Yaakob 10.00 am – 10.30 am: Refreshment 10.30 am – 11.30 am: Session 1 11.30 am – 12.45 pm: Session 2 12.45 pm – 2.00 pm: Lunch/Prayer 2.00 pm – 3.30 pm: Session 3 3.30 pm – 5 pm: Session 4 5.00 pm: Refreshment and End of First Day Program 2nd October 2012 (Tuesday) 8.30 am – 10.00 am: Session 5 10.00 am – 10.30 am: Refreshment 10.30 am – 11.45 am: Session 6 11.45 am – 1.00 pm: Session 7 1.00 pm – 2.00 pm: Lunch/Prayer 2.00 pm – 3.15 pm: Session 8 3.15 pm – 4.15 pm: Parallel sessions/Workshops 4.15 pm – 4.30 pm: Reports from parallel sessions/workshops 4.30 pm: Official closing of 3rd ICIHE 5.00 pm: Refreshment and End of 3rd ICIHE Speakers ·Invited speakers (expenses covered by the organizers) ·Accepted paper presenters Participants ·Representatives of institutions and organizations related to the management of awqaf ·Representatives of both public and private education sectors ·Representatives of non-governmental organizations ·Individual participants from Malaysia and foreign countries Conference Secretariat ·IKIP International College, Kuantan, Malaysia ·IAIS Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur General Information about Conference ·Registration fee: Free participation for the first 250 registered. In addition, participants will enjoy free meals served during the conference ·Accommodation: Organizers do not provide accommodation except for invited speakers, but we can offer advice on various types of accommodation available in the Kuantan area ·Travel expenses: Participants have to pay for their own travel expenses Contact Information ·International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia Jalan Elmu, Off Jalan Universiti 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: +603-7956 9188 Fax: +603-7956 2188 / +603-7956 2966 Email:reply@iais.org.my ·IKIP International College, Kampus Taman Gelora 25050 Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia Tel: +609-567 8999 ext 173 (Mr Mohd Idi Amin Saleh) Fax: +609-567 7999 Toll Free: 1800 88 999 Email: idi@ikip.edu.my