By Muhammad Shah Daniel
Edited by Harith Syafiee
The poster prepared for the programme | Credit: Publication and Promotion team of the programme
GOMBAK, 5th May 2024: The Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences Students’ Society (IRKHSSS) 23/24, along with the collaboration from International Islamic University (IIUM) Student Union (SU) Election Commission, hosted a forum discussion on democracy and its impact on IIUM campus community at the Experimental Hall. The forum was informative and insightful since both speakers are well-known for their great speeches. The first invited speaker was from the Department of Political Science, Associate. Prof. Datuk Dr. Marzuki Mohamad, while the second speaker was the Chairwoman of IIUM Student Union Election Commission, Sr. Nurunnuha Daud Mohd Razali. This event, held on 30th April 2024 from 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., was an insightful discussion.
Opening remarks by the advisor of IIUM Abdulhamid AbuSulayman Kuliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (AHAS KIRKHS): Dr. Mohammad Mohiuddin | Credit: Shah Daniel
Before the discussion by both speakers started, an opening remark was given by Dr. Mohammad Mohiuddin. To put on a spectacle of the programme he mentioned the relevancy of democracy during this modern era and during the period of Prophet Muhammad SAW. He stated, “Everyone is the leader, and everyone will be asked for their duties and responsibilities.” He ended his speech with an impactful statement, “In Islam, there is no superiority.”
Speakers taking their seats on stage | Credit: Shah Daniel
The two-hour-and-a-half event takes on a smooth journey with the invited speakers answering the corresponding questions given to both of them. Some of the questions include: “What is the IIUM SU election and how does it work?”, “Who are the eligible voters and who can be candidates in this IIUM SU election?”, “How can student [students] cast their vote? How, where, and when?” and lastly, “What is your opinion on the quota system based on localities practised in this election?” Some of these questions were answered by the first speaker and some by the second speaker.
Sr. Nuha answering the first question calmly and confidently | Credit: Shah Daniel
As the forum progresses forward, democracy has been the main focus in both speakers’ speeches, where Assoc. Prof. Datuk Dr. Marzuki Mohamad stated that democracy is the most important part of showing that everyone has the right to choose their leader. He then proceeded to inform the audience that the Student Union served as the “Voice of the People” aligned with the national level of democracy in political parties’ perspectives.
Assoc. Prof. Datuk Dr. Marzuki Mohamad sharing his experience in political ground | Credit: Shah Daniel
Aside from the insightful perspective and informative speech by both speakers, some concerns were expressed, where Sr. Nuha hoped there would be more participation of students during the voting/polling day, on 7th May 2024, since she was worried about the post-covid effects, where students show less interest in volunteering and participating in university and student activities. Sr. Nuha says that since the Election Commission has put their efforts into filtering the candidates who are eligible for voting, every student of IIUM should be responsible for casting their vote. “All the students of IIUM are eligible to cast their vote, [the] Election Commission decided to integrate the harmonisation of NGO and students, everyone now can vote!”
Both speakers answering students’ questions regarding this topic of democracy | Credit: Shah Daniel
Students expressing their opinions and questions to both speakers | Credit: Shah Daniel
Representatives from the Secretariat of English Language and Literature attending the forum | Credit: Shah Daniel
Apart from all of that, the first speaker offered advice to the audience, “The world is your Classroom.” He urged students to acknowledge the candidates and cast their vote for the right person to avoid any future downside.
The forum concluded with a token of appreciation from the programme manager to both speakers and ended with a photography session with all the participants.***
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