By Nik Liyana
Edited by Izyan Nazihah
Prof Dr Dawood, Dr Homam, committees, and participants during the ceremony | Credit: Committees of IIMU x TBC Creative Writing Competition
GOMBAK, 16th July 2024: The IIMU x TBC Creative Writing Competition announced its winners in an award ceremony held at the International Institute for Muslim Unity (IIMU) to appreciate the top writers and participants on 4th July 2024. The success of the competition was highlighted as it empowered students to address crucial issues facing the Ummah.
Prof Dr Dawood, the director of IIMU, expressed that “the first step of helping societies is to analyse and diagnose the problems and ills in society,” which brought the competition to the table, simultaneously empowering students to benefit society through writing.
Dr Homam Altabaa, the advisor of The BENL Chronicle (TBC), congratulated IIMU and the participants on the success of the competition. “Both IIMU and TBC share a mutual mission to address the issues of the Ummah. By pooling our resources and expertise, we strive to improve the prosperity of the Ummah,” he stated.
Seven winners were chosen out of tens of stories submitted. These stories addressed and highlighted various unique issues that resonated with students and the Ummah. The winners are as follows:
First Place: Nur Mashitah Wahidah binti Anuar
Second Places: Ahmad Rafi Sagoro, Amira Aisha binti Ainuddin Wahid, and Wan Nur Bisyarah binti Syamsudin
Third Places: Nurul Iman Khaleeda binti Azli, Nur Syazwani binti Khairul Zamar, and Nurul Nabihah binti Azmi
The winners of the competition | Credit: Committees of IIMU x TBC Creative Writing Competition
Sr Mashitah, the winner, expressed that this event will be held dear in her heart as it was the very first time her writing was acknowledged in a writing competition. In regard to the story, she recalled her experience helping Muallafs during her internship, and their struggles inspired her to share their story.
‘The Pig Alley’ was inspired by a male Muallaf Sr Mashitah met during her internship, allowing her to see a small part of his new life. She aimed to highlight the poor treatment Muallafs had to endure, not only from non-Muslims but from the Muslim community itself. She believed Muallafs who are starting a new life should be welcomed into the Muslim community with open arms and kind consideration.
Sr Mashitah believed that the competition allowed students to voice their concerns during this troubling time for the Ummah. “I truly hope the Ummah, especially the youth, can utilise the platforms instead of misusing them. Hopefully, we can all be a better version of ourselves,” she urged.
Sr Mashitah receiving her certificate | Credit: Committees of IIMU x TBC Creative Writing Competition
Sr Siti Sarah Sofea, the programme manager, felt honoured to be involved in the first university-wide programme by TBC, in collaboration with IIMU. “The partnership between the two societies will drive each other’s development [for] the betterment,” she claimed.
The ceremony ended with a photography session with Prof Dawood, Dr Homam, and the participants, with a hopeful promise for more collaborations between IIMU and TBC.
The winners’ stories, together with more selected writings, will be compiled and produced into a book chronicling Muslim lives, which can be accessed for free by joining the IIMU Fellowship. Look forward to reading engaging stories by IIUM students!***
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