USM, PENANG, 15 March 2016 – The Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV) Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is joining hands to realise the hopes of Brunei Darussalam to become a ‘Nation of Hymns’ by upholding Islam as the primary belief and reference system in life, with the society and the leaders always in remembrance of Allah Almighty.

The Director of ISDEV USM, Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh stated this after returning from the country as an academic evaluator at the Faculty of Arabic Language and Islamic Civilisation, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif (UNISSA).

"Surely a noble effort such as this would require the support of all, to ensure that those Islamic aspects would always be given emphasis and widely-instilled in order to fully realise it.

“In fact, ISDEV is working with UNISSA to publish a comprehensive encyclopaedia that can provide a clearer description to the public on the concept of a nation of hymns, to be ready by 2017,” he explained.

In addition to assisting the staff and students in the techniques of writing articles, journals and thesis, he was also involved in generating ideas relating to development, progress and planning for the future at the Faculty of Arabic Language and Islamic Civilisation, UNISSA.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text: Nur ‘Izzah ‘Atira bt Muhamad Nazmi (USM Internship Student)