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By: Fatimah Farhana Mohd Iqbal PAGOH, Jan 8—The date that marked the culmination of weeks of preparation for Projek Entiti: Storyteller, a theatrical production staged from 8.30 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. at Auditorium 6, Shared Facilities EduHub Pagoh. On that evening, the collective efforts of 70 committee members came together in a single performance that carried both strong emotions and a clear moral message. The production was supported by multiple divisions working closely behind the scenes, including Hicom, Stagestars (Cast, Extras and Cast Coordinators), Stageleaders (Stage Manager, Director, Vocal Instructors, Script Editor and Emcees), Muadrobe, Pubpro, Audio & Lighting, Propmaster, Preptech, Specta, and Ticketing. Each team played an important role in ensuring the performance ran smoothly, both technically and artistically. Storyteller was approached from a psychological and symbolic perspective, focusing on human emotions, loss, and inner struggles. Inspired by Surah Ali ‘Imran 3:185, “Every soul shall taste death”, the narrative invited the audience to reflect on life’s impermanence, the process of acceptance (redha), and the importance of moving forward after loss. In line with Islamic values, the production avoided any form of provocation or engagement with the alam ghaib, maintaining clear ethical and spiritual boundaries throughout the creative process. On the day of the performance, the atmosphere was marked by quiet anticipation and focus. Despite the fatigue from weeks of preparation, the cast delivered their performances with sincerity and depth, supported by technical execution from the backstage teams. Audience responses, including moments of silence, emotional reactions, and applause, reflected the impact of the performance and the clarity of its message. The production process also emphasised spiritual mindfulness. A few days prior to the show day, murabbi sessions were conducted and collective dua was practiced as part of the team’s efforts to remain grounded and focused. These measures reinforced the importance of intention (niyyah), effort (ikhtiar), and reliance upon Allah SWT (tawakkul) throughout the project. As stated by the Program Manager, Zikri Zamri, “We should always check our intention. This performance is meant to raise awareness and convey a moral lesson to the audience. We are not doing this merely just for fun.” In reflection, Projek Entiti: Storyteller stood as more than a theatrical production. It became a collective journey of growth and resilience, reminding everyone involved that while life is temporary, meaningful stories have the power to inspire reflection, strengthen values, and bring people together.

BUKIT KEPONG, Jan 1 — Months of fieldwork, interconnection and shared moments with the local community culminated in the preparation of a coffee table book that documents the many layers of Bukit Kepong, from its defining historical legacy to the everyday lives that continue to shape the area today. The Coffee Table brings together brief narratives and visuals on Bukit Kepong’s historical sites, including the legacy of the 1950 incident, alongside community-driven initiatives such as agro-based enterprises, homestays, small businesses, traditional crafts and the dialect unique to the area. Rather than presenting Bukit Kepong as a static historical site, the publication reflects a living community shaped by memory, labour and continuity. Prior to its official launch, selected materials from the book were presented to the village heads and the penghulu as part of an engagement session. Bukit Kepong penghulu Tuan Hamzah, in his remarks, described the project as a learning process and welcomed the efforts made to work closely with the community, noting that such initiatives test commitment and responsibility when engaging with people of diverse backgrounds. “ For a long time, Bukit Kepong has been known only for the attack on the police station. However, this coffee table book broadens perspectives by revealing the many other unique aspects, events and histories that exist in Bukit Kepong.” said Penghulu Bukit Kepong.” said the Penghulu. Throughout the project, cooperation from the local leadership and residents played a central role in its completion. The warmth and openness extended by the people of Bukit Kepong, from the early stages of the previous semester until the final phase of production, became an integral part of the book’s narrative. The Coffee Table Book stands as a record of shared effort preserving history while acknowledging the people who continue to give Bukit Kepong its meaning.

The core essence of Usrah in Action is to implement the ideas of a ‘communiversity’; a concept that centers on how university students can engage with and benefit the community around them. To bring this idea to life, our 24-strong Usrah in Action Section 511 from the Kulliyyah of Sustainable Tourism and Contemporary Languages, led by Dr. Nur Shuhadah binti Mohd, undertook a community-based project aimed at preserving the unique culture and heritage of Mukim Bukit Kepong. This initiative, titled “Jom Jejak Kepong” sought to explore sustainable ways to document the community’s rich identity. During the first Usrah in Action, we proposed developing a coffee table book, travel brochures, and workshops to uplift the community of Bukit Kepong. “Jom Jejak Kepong” was a success, and we brought home two awards at the 7th University in Action Symposium; the Gold Award and the Most Creative Project. For our second Usrah in Action, we put our ideas to the test with a landmark workshop utilizing Wikimedia Commons, the internet’s most popular media repository. Driven by a belief that this platform could elevate and preserve Bukit Kepong’s identity, we set out to design a workshop that would equip locals with the skills to document their surroundings, tell their own stories, and share them with a global audience. Drawing on previous insights gathered from site visits to Bukit Kepong where we interviewed locals and community leaders, a recurring concern came to light: the absence of proper and reliable documentation of the community’s cultural heritage and everyday life. The uniqueness of Mukim Bukit Kepong was poised to be overshadowed entirely by the incident which occured in 1950 during the Malayan Emergency. This became our sole purpose; to ensure Bukit Kepong’s identity is not confined only to an unfortunate tragedy which transpired before Malaysia’s independence, but is also recognized as the living, breathing community it is today. With generous guidance from Wikimedia Malaysia’s team from the very beginning, we set out to design a workshop that would directly respond to these concerns. Our planning process involved several meetings with Bukit Kepong’s National Information Dissemination Center (NADI), a center established by the federal government to provide internet access to rural communities in Malaysia. We soon learned that Bukit Kepong’s NADI was not just any ordinary cybercafé; it plays an active role in community development by organizing initiatives such as free medical check-ups and educational programs for the locals. After extensive discussions, Bukit Kepong’s NADI agreed to help us in providing a suitable venue and assist in identifying suitable participants from all the villages in Bukit Kepong. On 6th December, 2025, we departed to Bukit Kepong, a journey that took almost an hour navigating the winding backroads of rural Johor. The workshop began in the early hours of morning, attended by a total of 10 participants representing each village in Bukit Kepong. This initiative marked the first Wikimedia workshop of its kind in Malaysia, aiming to empower locals to document and share Bukit Kepong through Wikimedia Commons. The hope was that this workshop would enable the community to elevate and preserve its local identity to a global audience. The three-hour session received positive feedback from the participants who expressed enjoyment at the engaging activities. These included a practical photography session during which the participants took pictures of their surroundings and received step-by-step guidance on uploading their photographs to Wikimedia Commons. By the end of the workshop, the number of images under the “Bukit Kepong” category increased significantly; from just 10 images prior to the workshop to 156 photos uploaded by the locals themselves. When asked about Wikimedia Commons and its role in preserving and disseminating knowledge through crowdsourced media, one participant highlighted its ability to bring global exposure to Bukit Kepong. Another emphasized Wikimedia Commons’ potential to contribute to local tourism by showcasing local attractions and businesses on the platform. “Through Wikimedia, Bukit Kepong can reach a global audience,” wrote one workshop participant. “This platform can also offer a window into lives of ordinary people here.” The workshop concluded with the launching of a vertical informational banner within Bukit Kepong’s NADI. The banner contains instructions on creating a Wikimedia account, including a scannable QR code linked to a digital manual on uploading content to Wikimedia Commons. As the workshop wrapped up, we left with a strong sense of achievement and satisfaction. Perhaps with this initiative, Bukit Kepong’s identity can extend beyond a tragedy which happened 75 years ago. Equipped with new skills and resources, the community now has the opportunity to document their present lives, preserve its heritage, and share their narratives with the world through Wikimedia Commons. We would like to extend our thanks to Wikimedia Malaysia for their guidance and support throughout the planning and execution of this workshop. Our appreciation also goes to the National Information Dissemination Center (NADI) Bukit Kepong, the community leaders and village chiefs, the residents of Bukit Kepong for their participation, as well as to the organizing committee and facilitators who made this initiative possible.

✨We are thrilled to announce that our student leaders received three prestigious honors at the STEWARDS – Student Activity Awards 2025, held today at the Gombak campus. Please join us in congratulating our winners from Castellan ✨ 💫Kulliyyah-based Leader Award – Muhammad Nadzmi Bin Abd Rahman 💫Unity Leader Award – Noraizam Aikal Bin Mohd Solleh 💫Spiritual Leader Award – Muhamad Aman Faiz Bin Sukri

Malang, Indonesia, 7–13 October 2025 — The Kulliyyah of Sustainable Tourism and Contemporary Languages (KSTCL), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Pagoh Campus, organized a staff mobility programme with the Faculty of Cultural Studies (FCS), Universitas Brawijaya (UB), in Malang, Indonesia. This programme was designed to improve interdisciplinary research, encourage academic innovation, and support cultural and intellectual exchange between both institutions. The IIUM team included eight academic staff from the Department of English Language, KSTCL, IIUM Pagoh – Dr. Al Amirul Eimer Ramdzar Ali, Assoc. Prof Dr. Afiza Mohamad Ali, Dr. Rafidah Sahar, Dr. Khairil Azwar Razali, Dr. Shahrul Nizam Mohd Basari, Dr. Asma Md Ali, Dr. Farrah Diebaa Rashid Ali and Dr. Nur Nabilah Abdullah. A session with Prof. Abdul Mu’ti, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Indonesia) in the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language in Indonesia (TEFLIN) Conference. The delegation presented research and attended several meetings to plan joint publications and future research projects.  The programme ended with a roundtable discussion on 13 October 2025. Both sides shared ideas and discussed steps for collaboration. This initiative shows KSTCL’s commitment to build academic partnerships and promote research that connects language and linguistic knowledge with sustainability goals.

Oleh: Izzul Azzany bin Marzuki Surabaya: Melalui Program Mobiliti Menyelam Budaya, Merentas Nusantara ke Universitas Negeri Surabaya, seramai 8 orang pensyarah dan 10 orang pelajar Kulliyyah Pelancongan Mampan dan Bahasa Kontemporari (KSCTL) telah menyertai program silang budaya dan khidmat masyarakat di SMP Labschool UNESA 3, Surabaya. Program ini merupakan inisiatif untuk memperkenalkan permainan tradisional Melayu kepada pelajar-pelajar terpilih di SMP Labschool UNESA 3. Objektif utama program ini adalah untuk menyemai kesedaran budaya serumpun dan memperkukuh nilai warisan budaya Melayu dalam kalangan pelajar SMP Labschool UNESA 3 dengan cara yang tidak formal agar program ini menyeronokkan dan mampu memberikanmemori yang indah kepada mereka yang terlibat. Menurut Dian Hijrah Saputra, Kepala Sekolah SMP Labschool UNESA 3, pihak sekolahamat berbesar hati dan mengalu-alukan kunjungan pensyarah dan pelajar UIAM Pagoh dalam pelaksanaan program silang budaya untuk memperkenalkan permainan tradisional Melayu. Tambah beliau, pihak sekolah berharap program ini akan menjalinkan hubungan yang lebih akrab antara dua pihak dan berharap agar kerjasama ini tidak terhenti pada hari inisemata-mata, sebaliknya berterusan pada masa akan datang. Seterusnya, terdapat beberapa permainan tradisional telah diperkenalkan kepada pelajar SMP Labschool UNESA 3, iaitu Ceper, Batu Seremban, Lempar Selipar dan Galah Panjang. Permainan ini sering kali dilihat dimainkan oleh masyarakat Melayu khususnya golongan kanak-kanak sewaktu masa lapang. Tambahan pula, permainan yang diperkenalkan ini tampak memberikan impak yang positif kerana disambut baik oleh pelajar sekolah tersebut. Pelajar berminat untuk mempelajari cara bermain yang betul dan bergelak tawa bersama sama kerana keseronokan bermain permainan tersebut. Seorang pelajar UIAM Pagoh menyatakan keterujaannya, “saya berasa sangat gembira kerana dapat memperkenalkan budaya Melayu kepada pelajar di sekolah ini, dan saya lihat mereka amat berminat untuk mengenali budaya Melayu dengan lebih mendalam.” Wakil pelajar UIAM Pagoh membimbing pelajar SMP dalam permainan Ceper, membuka ruang interaksi budaya secara santai dan menyeronokkan. Di samping itu, program ini turut menjadi platform bagi menonjolkan persamaan budaya serumpun antara Malaysia dan Indonesia yang berkongsi akar warisan khususnya dalam permainan rakyat. Program ini wajar untuk diteruskan agar warisan permainan Melayu tidak pupus ditelan zaman, sebaliknya terus hidup dalam diri generasi muda serantau. Program ini juga menjadi titik tolak kepada hubungan kerjasama pendidikan dan budaya antara dua negara yang akrab dan mempunyai persamaan dari segi sejarah, bahasa dan juga identiti. Melalui usaha kecil ini, akar budaya Melayu terus disemai di tanah serumpun,mengukuhkan jati diri dan jalinan Nusantara.

Hotel Putra Brasmana, Kuala Perlis – 26 February 2025 The event hall of Hotel Putra Brasmana came alive with laughter, learning, and lively discussions as 35 administrative staff from Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin (UniSIRAJ) gathered for the “English for the Workplace” workshop. A collaborative event between UniSIRAJ (formerly known as KUIPS) and the Kulliyyah of Sustainable Tourism and Contemporary Languages (KSTCL), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), the event left participants not only more confident in their writing but also more connected to their roles and each other. Delivered by a dynamic team of language and communication experts from the Department of English Language, KSTCL —Dr. Shahrul Nizam bin Mohd Basari, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Afiza binti Mohamad Ali, and Dr. Al Amirul Eimer bin Ramdzan Ali—the workshop was designed to build practical English writing skills,  relevant to the workplace scenario in the current technology era. Funded by the Jamalullail Research Grant Scheme (JRGS 4.0), the session forms part of a year-long initiative to uplift communication standards among UniSIRAJ administrative officers​. Structured into highly interactive segments—including Introduction to Workplace Writing, a Needs Assessment, and Writing Formal Emails—the half-day workshop successfully merged practical instruction with  lively peer engagement activities​. But what took the facilitators by surprise was the overwhelming energy and active participation during the Needs Assessment session. “We expected a simple feedback round,” shared Dr. Shahrul, “but it turned into a passionate discussion. Participants not only voiced their struggles with workplace English but also suggested meaningful solutions. The openness and eagerness to learn exceeded our expectations. Most importantly, their basic use of English was commendable too.” That energy translated into glowing reviews from attendees. One participant wrote, “This was a very impactful workshop. I’ve learned so much about improving my email writing and professional tone.” Another said, “Please hold a second series—I’ll definitely register again!” Notably, a common theme in the feedback was the strong preference for face-to-face sessions. “The interaction really motivated me. I hope more workshops will be done in person like this—much better than online!”This sentiment was echoed by several others, suggesting that the physical environment encouraged more open sharing and real-time learning and communication—a crucial element for language skill development​. Organized by UNISIRAJ’s Human Resource Department, the programme clearly resonated with the attendees, many of whom left inspired and empowered to improve their workplace communication as the university aims to  gain better credibility in its internationalization efforts which include dealing with PhD students from overseas. The facilitators now plan to take this valuable feedback into account as they design future workshops and workable modules in the series. More in-person sessions, deeper content, and longer durations are likely on the horizon. As the English Writing for the Workplace Workshop series continues, one thing is clear: when learning is interactive, relevant, and personal, the results are not just measurable—they’re transformative and exciting! Reported byAP Dr Afiza Mohamad Ali,Research Team Member.11/4/2025