with our hearts and our hands - Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al Islamiah

Transcription

with our hearts and our hands
1
2
MWTI Golden Jubilee
CONTENTS
WE CELEBRATE
Forward by Mudir Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah
5
Editor’s Prologue
Congratulatory Messages 50 Tahun UmurMu
6
7-14
15-16
OUR FIRST 50 YEARS
Eye on MWTI
17
History of MWTI: A Timeline
18-19
Humble Beginings: The Kampung School
20-23
On Broadrick Road
24-27
Back Where We Belong: Sims Avenue
28-31
Notable People Who Have Been to MWTI
32-33
WITH OUR HEARTS AND OUR HANDS
Madrasah Students I Have Met
34
Ustaz Salam’s Article
35-37
Fundraisings Activities
38-39
HOD Reports
Pencapaian Setanding
40-42 43 The Next Lap
44
Visits by Some Notable Guests
45-47
Club Activities
48
A Day in the Life of an MWTI Student
49
OUR PRIDE AND JOY
MWTI Alumni Association
50
Graduates’ Profiles
51-54
The Transition from Madrasah to a Mainstream University
55-56
Regret Never Comes After Istikhaarah
57
3
Technical Advisor
Masnia Nassim
Editorial Committee
Aini Safuan (Supervisor)
Khatimatul Husna Hamidon (Editor)
Nur Farahin Mohamed Amin
Siti Nur Atiqah Abu Bakar
Nur Hidayah Roslee
Nur Hidia Suzieyanti Sulaimee
Nurul Atiqah Zakaria
Hilwani Abdul Halim
Nur’ain Ismail
Design Committee
Hazami Hamidon
Khatimatul Husna Hamidon
NOTE
with thanks to
Md. Salman Azman
Jaleha Hashim
Photography Credits
MWTI Stock Photos
with thanks to
Assyalehan Md Ali
Hazami Hamidon
Khatimatul Husna Hamidon
Iffah Diyana Jamil
Md Fakhrurazi Md Noor
Nur Hidayah Roslee
Special Thanks
Abdul Halim Mhd Noor
Abdul Salam Abdul Hameed
Abdul Manaf Jaafar
Fathurrahman Dawoed
Mardiana Jonet
Masnia Nassim
Mhd Noor Taib
Noorhayati Ramli
Nur Asilah Ramli
Sarifudin Sapari
Safiaton Alias
Shariffa Hoosan
Siti Mariam Jaafar
Supendi Jamhada
Orfiyah Jaafar
Zeenath Jaleel
& interviewees for the Graduates’ Profile Page
The content of this publication is in three languages: English, Malay and Arabic. As
this publication is distributed during the MWTI Golden Jubilee Celebration Open
House on 5 and 6 July 2008, our students and teachers will be happy to help you
with any translation queries, should you seek it. This is one of our efforts to initiate greater interaction between ourselves as hosts, and our respected guests.
Please also note that there are several Arabic terms used frequently throughout this
publication, which are explained below:
SWT
Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala
(Most Glorious is He)
SAW or PBUH
Sallalahu ‘Alaihi wa Alihi Wasallam
(Peace and Blessings be Upon Him)
AS
‘Alaihissalam
(Peace be Upon Him)
Alhamdulillah
All praises to Allah
InsyaAllah
God willing
Copyright ©
2008 Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah
All rights reserved
Published by
Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah
589 Sims Avenue
Singapore 387600
Tel: (65) 6741 0131
Fax: (65) 6741 0006
Website: http://www.mwtai.edu.sg
Email comments to waktanjong@gmail.com
Printed in Singapore by
Kerjaya Media Pte Ltd
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MWTI Golden Jubilee
A FOREWORD
MUDIR MADRASAH WAK TANJONG
USTAZ MHD NOOR BIN TAIB
Alhamdulillah – syukur saya yang tidak terhingga kepada Allah SWT yang telah memberikan saya dan
isteri Ustazah Hamyia Hussein kekuatan lahiriah dan batiniah selama ini dalam memperjuangkan institusi pendidikan Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah yang telah diasaskan sejak 50 tahun dahulu hingga kini.
Bukan sedikit ranjau dan onak yang terpaksa ditempuhi. Bukan kecil cabaran dan rintangan yang mendatang. Bukan mudah mengubah dari sebuah bangunan kecil serba dhaif menjadi bangunan yang tersergam
indah dan gah. Namun berkat usaha yang gigih, kesabaran yang tak pernah goyah dan tawakal serta pasrah,
serta yang penting pertolongan dari Allah, MWTI dapat terus berdiri hari ini menyaksikan para pelajarnya menamatkan pengajian mereka tahun demi tahun.
Di kesempatan sambutan 50 tahun ini, saya ingin mengucapkan ribuan terima kasih Jazakumullah
khairal Jaza’ kepada orang-orang yang telah membantu sama berdiri teguhnya MWTI dari mula ia diasaskan sehingga hari ini, samaada mereka sebagai Ahli Jawatankuasa Pentadbir, Asatizah dan guru, pegawai dan pekerja
dan siapa juga yang pernah menjadi warga kerja MWTI. Semoga sumbangan bakti yang anda taburkan yang
tidak dapat kami balas dalam bentuk kebendaan, akan mendapat sebesar-besar ganjaran dari Allah SWT. Satu
penghargaan khas dari saya untuk Almarhum ‘Allamah Habib Syeikh Umar bin Abdullah Alkhatib yang sentiasa
mendorong dan memberikan kata-kata perangsang pada saya setiap kali bertemu:
(Jalan terus wahai Muhammad Noor, Allah sentiasa bersamamu).
Semoga Allah mencucuri rahmat ke atasnya.
Kepada pelajar dan juga alumni MWTI, saya harapkan semoga tempat mula anda berpijak untuk
mendapatkan ilmu ini akan sentiasa dikenang, dan janganlah segan untuk menjenguk madrasah ini dan sumbangkanlah apa-apa yang termampu untuk anak-anak Islam. Saya berharap penuh, anda sekalianlah yang
bakal meneruskan perjuangan menegakkan pendidikan Islam di Singapura dan di atas pundak anda sekelian
terletaknya amanah ini.
Satu hari nanti kami semua akan kembali menemui Ilahi, namun MWTI diharap akan terus dapat mencurah bakti bagi melahirkan insan-insan yang dapat berkhidmat untuk agama, bangsa dan Negara Singapura
yang tercinta. Amin ya Rabbal Alamin.
Mhd Noor Bin Taib
Pengasas / Mudir
Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah
5
Editor’s
Prologue
In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Loving.
Peace and blessings be upon His Prophet.
It is with great honour that MWTI presents to the public the Golden Jubilee Anniversary book for its 50th anniversary. Half a century has passed and we are proud to
announce that we are still standing strong at 589 Sims Avenue.
Of course, with the grace and protection of Allah, this can only happen with the
great dedication, sincerity, iron will and immense sacrifices that the MWTI family (which
includes board members, staff and students both past and present, and all their respective families) has made over the years. As such, it is fitting that the theme for this publication would be “With Our Hearts and Our Hands”, to illustrate and celebrate the past 50
years of hard work and achievements.
We want you, the reader, and the public, to know and feel that you have also played
a major part in helping MWTI maintain its existence as one of the six madrasahs left in
Singapore. With your hearts and with your hands too, that you had embraced and given
your support to MWTI as an institution of importance and relevance, not only for the
Muslim community, but for the Singapore society and Ummah as well. Indeed, the story
of MWTI’s success should be the shared pride of everyone.
On another note, the editorial board of this publication wishes to convey its gratefulness to those who have, in their own way, contributed to producing this humble book.
We can only hope that our efforts could do MWTI’s past, present and future great justice.
We also hope that, by reading through this book, it may help you to experience the spirit
of MWTI, acknowledge the contributions that MWTI has made to society and last but
never the least, the contributions society has magnanimously made to MWTI.
This first 50 years is a milestone for MWTI and for everyone: the Muslim community,
Singapore society, and the general Ummah. We hope to meet again in the next milestone to come, InsyaAllah.
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MWTI’s Golden Jubilee
MESSAGE BY
MAYOR, SOUTH EAST DISTRICT, MR MATTHIAS YAO
FOR MADRASAH WAK TANJONG AL-ISLAMIAH’S 50TH
ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE MAGAZINE
Madrasah Wak Tanjong has always been a key institution in the South East
District. The school building has added distinctive character to Sims Avenue, and
the students, clad in purple and white, are a familiar sight in the area. Their high
spirits show great promise of their future contributions to the society, as they follow
in the footsteps of the Madrasah’s alumni.
Madrasah Wak Tanjong is an established institution that provides religious
education for Muslim students in Singapore. I would like to commend the management and staff of the Madrasah for their commitment to their work for the past five
decades. In doing so, they have helped develop future religious teachers who form
an important part of the Muslim community.
I would like to congratulate Madrasah Wak Tanjong on the occasion of its
50th anniversary. I hope the Madrasah will continue to strive for excellence in line
with the latest efforts to improve Islamic religious education in Singapore.
MATTHIAS YAO
MAYOR
SOUTH EAST DISTRICT
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MESSAGE BY
MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER RESOURCES
AND MINISTER-IN-CHARGE OF MUSLIM AFFAIRS
DR YAACOB IBRAHIM
FOR MADRASAH WAK TANJONG AL-ISLAMIAH’S 50TH
ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE MAGAZINE
Our madrasahs have a long and proud tradition nurturing asatizah (teachers
of religion) and ulama (scholars of religion).
Madrasah Wak Tanjong has been part of this tradition since its founding in
1958. It started out on a small plot of land as Madrasah Ad-Diniyyah before undergoing a name-change to Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah.
Over the years, Madrasah Wak Tanjong has grown from strength to
strength. Its students have taken part in various national programmes and interschool competitions – like debates and Mathematics quizzes, robotics and pantun
competitions. These activities have given them opportunities to interact with their
peers from national schools, and broadened their perceptions, in addition to doing
well in their religious curriculum.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Madrasah Wak Tanjong
on its 50th anniversary. I am confident it will continue to improve the quality of its
education and teachers for the benefit of its students. This will better enable the
Madrasah to face future challenges and move in tandem with efforts to improve the
overall madrasah education in Singapore.
DR YAACOB IBRAHIM
MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER RESOURCES
AND MINISTER-IN-CHARGE OF MUSLIM AFFAIRS
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MWTI Golden Jubilee
MUFTI’S CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
FOR
MWTI’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION MAGAZINE
In the name of Allah Most Loving and Most Merciful,
Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
All praises be to Allah the Most Benevolent and Most Compassionate.
Prayers and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet (PBUH),
The Madrasah institution in Singapore has existed since the early 20th century. Madrasahs have played an integral role in ensuring that Singapore never has a
shortage of Asatizahs. Today, the Asatizahs who graduate from the Madrasahs are
of profound quality, those who are highly knowledgeble and able to adapt to the
modern context of Singapore.
The challenge is for each Madrasah to consistently produce Asatizahs of
that calibre, whom the community can look up to when they are faced with contemporary issues in their daily lives.
To overcome this challenge, Madrasahs have to continuosly strive hard in
order to stand on the same level as other top institutions locally. New technology
and professionally trained teachers are regarded as some of the main criterias.
It is not easy for a Madrasah to sustain itself as an asset to the community
in the changing context of Singapore and the world, as rapid developments take
place everyday. A strong and solid infrastructure which promotes the seeking of
knowledge is extremely important.
Congratulations to Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah for its continuing
contribution in producing religious elites for the community for the last 50 years.
May Allah SWT bless your sincere efforts.
Thank you
Yours truly,
Syed Isa Bin Mohd Bin Semait
Mufti, Republic of Singapore
Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis)
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MESSAGE BY
HJ MOHD ALAMI MUSA
MAJLIS UGAMA ISLAM SINGAPURA
Sekapur Sireh, Sekalung Budi
Bermula dengan kelas bimbingan agama selepas Maghrib pada tahun
1958, Madrasah Wak Tanjung terus berkembang menjadi sebuah madrasah
rakyat, kemudian berkembang lagi, terus menjadi sebuah institusi pendidikan
agama sepenuh masa yang aktif menyumbang dalam melahirkan kepimpinan
agama hingga dewasa kini.
Usaha gigih dan dedikasi yang ditunjukkan oleh warga Madrasah Wak Tanjong dalam meneruskan sumbangan murni ini amat membanggakan.
Sektor pendidikan agama memainkan peranan penting dan amat diperlukan
dalam konteks kehidupan yang semakin hari semakin mencabar ini. Dengan perubahan pesat dunia dan kehidupan hari ini, sektor pendidikan agama perlu terus
berkembang dan dipertingkat sejajar dengan keperluan dan cabaran semasa. Saya
percaya Madrasah Wak Tanjong akan dapat terus giat menyumbang dalam pendidikan agama dan dakwahnya sejajar dengan tuntutan semasa
Sempena sambutan ulang tahunnya yang ke-50, saya ingin merakamkan
ucapan tahniah kepada semua warga Madrasah Wak Tanjong di atas usaha dan
pencapaian madrasah ini. Saya berdoa agar Madrasah Wak Tanjong terus meraih
kejayaan selanjutnya.
Wassalam
Hj Mohd Alami Musa
Presiden
Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura
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MWTI Golden Jubilee
MESSAGE BY
OTHMAN HARON EUSOFE
FORMER MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim
My congratulations to the Mudir, members of the management committee, asatizahs, teachers and students of Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah on
this auspicious occasion of the Madrasah’s 50th Golden Jubilee Celebrations. My
doa for the Madrasah to continue to enjoy greater success as it moves confidently
forward to address our future challenges, InsyaAllah.
2. Today, we are fortunate to enjoy social and religious harmony .However, we
cannot afford to take them for granted and be complacent. Instead, we must
always be alert and ready to work with fellow Singaporeans of different races and
religions to explore new and better ways to strengthen our trust and understanding and to deepen our mutual respect. I am happy to note that the Madrasah is
earnestly promoting religious harmony and understanding. By inviting students and
leaders of different races and religions to join your 50th Golden Jubilee celebrations, Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah will provide a wonderful opportunity for
them to get better appreciation of Madrasah education as well as the true and
peaceful teachings of Islam. I believe it will also unequivocally demonstrate your
strong support for a more enduring inter-faith understanding and relationship.
3. The Internet provides us with an easy and convenient way to acquire information
and knowlegde. However, there is also the danger of harmful, extreme and radical
ideas being spread on the Internet, for example, ideas and beliefs based on wrong
and radical interpretations of the Quran. Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah can
continue to give a valuable contribution in strongly combating those who spread
false interpretations of Islam. We have to stand up and quickly challenge them. We
must take more robust steps to win this contest of ideologies and demonstrate that
Islam truly promotes peace and harmony and is a blessing for humanity. Another
important contribution which the Madrasah can continue to make is assisting our
younger generation to be more ready and relevant to the demands of an increasingly competitive and globalised world.
4. I am confident that Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah will be able to make
a great contribution to help our Community to effectively overcome the onerous
challenges we face and in doing so, to succeed in our vision of a Muslim Community of Excellence, InsyaAllah. Thank you.
Othman Haron Eusofe
Former Member of Parliament
11
MESSAGE BY
HJ MOHD MA’MUM FADHLULLAH SUHEIMI
PENGERUSI
JAWATAN KUASA PENGURUSAN
MADRASAH AL-MAARIF AL-ISLAMIAH
Assalaamu’alaikum wr. wb.
Alhamdulillah, sejak ditubuhkan lima puluh tahun yang lalu, Madarash Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah telah terus hidup dan berkembang sekaligus membuat banyak kemajuan. Pada hari ini, Madrasah Wak Tanjong merupakan salah
sebuah madrasah sepenuh masa di negara ini tang menyediakan pendidikan
duniawi dan ukhrawi.
Dari semasa ke semasa, Madrasah Wak Tanjong telah menunjukkan
kemajuan dan kejayaan dalam bidang akademik dan juga kegiatan luar darjah. Sebagai contoh, para pelajarnya telah pernah menjadi johan peraduan bahas antara
sekolah-sekolah anjuran Berita Harian, dan beberapa peraduan lain.
Selain itu, sekiranya kita melihat sejarahnya, Madrasah Wak Tanjong
telah menghasilkan ramai pelajar yang berkaliber dan berwibawa. Setelah menamatkan pelajaran mereka di Institusi Pengajian Tinggi di dalam dan luar negeri,
ramai antara mereka telah memegang jawatan-jawatan penting bukan sahaja sebagai asatizah, tetapi juga dalam bidang-bidang profesional yang lain. Dengan kata
lain, ramai graduan Madrasah ini telah membuat sumbangan penting bukan sahaja
untuk masyarakat Melayu dan Islam, bahkan juga, untuk kamajuan negara.
Bersempena dengan sambutan Ulang Tahun yang ke-50 ini, saya
bagi pihak Jawatankuasa Pengurusan, asatizah, guru-guru dan pelajar-pelajar
Madrasah Al-maarif Al-Islamiah ingin merakamkan Tahniah kepada Madrasah Wak
Tanjong Al-Islamiah. Seterusnya, kami mendoakan agar kita dapat terus bekerjasama untuk kebaikan kita bersama khususnya, dan masyarakat Islam umumnya,
Insya Allah.
Wassalaam.
HJ MOHD MA’MUN FADHLULLAH SUHEIMI
PENGERUSI
JAWATANKUASA PENGURUSAN
MADRASAH AL-MAARIF AL-ISLAMIAH
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MWTI Golden Jubilee
MADRASAH WAK TANJONG AL-ISLAMIAH
50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE FROM:
ADE NOVLI ELSUTANI, PhD.
PRINCIPAL,
MADRASAH AL-ARABIAH AL-ISLAMIAH
Congratulations to Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah (MWTI) as you
celebrate 50 years of providing quality education to Madrasah students and helping them rise to success! Your school has indeed encouraged students to strive for
excellence in their education as well as in planning their future career.
Knowledge is vital in life but without guidance and understanding, it can easily lead one astray. Thus, the importance of institutions such as Madrasahs cannot
be disputed, where a well-rounded education is offered to help pupils balance the
affairs of this world and the Hereafter.
The future presents great challenges for the Malay-Muslim community in
Singapore, with social issues often topping the news. With the holistic and
comprehensive curriculum offered by Madrasahs, we trust that its graduates will
emerge and play a bigger role in society by contributing towards a healthier socioeconomic climate, InsyaAllah.
Last but not least, on behalf of Madrasah Al-Arabiah Al-Islamiah, we wish
the very best to MWTI, as you continue to direct our youths toward the right path in
life!
ADE NOVLI ELSUTANI
Singapore
9th May 2008
13
UCAPAN DARI:
PRESIDEN,
LEMBAGA PENTADBIR KENANGAN MAULUD (LBKM)
Tahniah
Saya mengucapkan setinggi-tinggi tahniah kepada Madrasah Wak Tanjong
Al-Islamiah (MWTI) yang telah mencapai usia 50 tahun pada tahun ini.
2
MWTI merupakan salah sebuah madrasah yang terkenal di Singapura.
Benih pendidikan ukhrawi yang telah disemai oleh Pengasasnya, Haji Mohd Noor
Bin Taib telah pun tumbuh dengan subuhnya dan buahnya telah dinikmati oleh
ribuan para lulusan MWTI.
3
Kejayaan MWTI, antara lain, disebabkan oleh dedikasi dan semangat waja
para pentadbir dan guru-gurunya. Ia juga telah dapat menyesuaikan dirinya dengan
perubahan dan permintaan masyarakat masa kini.
4
MWTI telah menjadi kebanggaan masyarakat kita kerana dapat
menghasilkan para lulusan yang baik dan yang telah berjaya di beberapa institusi
pengajian tinggi di dalam dan di luar negara.
5
Masa depan MWTI sangatlah cerah. Kejayaannya selama lima dekad ini
menjadi natijah bahawa MWTI mampu menghadapi apa-apa cabaran di hari muka.
6 Akhir kata, saya turut berdoa agar MWTI akan terus maju dan menjadi
lambang kecemerlangan pendidikan Islam (duniawi dan ukhrawi) yang dapat kita
sama-sama banggakan.
Syabas MWTI!
Wan Hussin Haji Zoohri
President, LBKM
14
MWTI Golden Jubilee
50 TAHUN UMURMU
(Sambutan Jubli Emas Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah)
I
ketika mula berdiri pada tahun 1958
nama diberi Madrasah Ad-Diniyah Al-Islamiah
Ustaz Muhammad Nor mula menyebar daun ilmu dengan gigih
anak-anak didik bersemangat teguh yang langkat
pagi di sekolah kerajaan hingga letih-lesu
petang duduk bersila membuka kitab tentu
begitulah ilmu ditebar dicari digali
menjunjung mengikut sunnah nabi Ilahi
setahun berlalu zaman berubah
tidak cukup waktu siang pengajian malam pula dicari
bermula di rumah atap di bawah lampu malap
duduk bersila anak-anak didik bertindih kaki
mencari ilmu Allah di samping laba diri
anak-anak lapar ilmu terus bertambah tinggi
dengan restu ayahanda Taib Muhammad Ali
dan dokongan Pak Abdul Manan Muhammad Ali
tanah sebidang menjadilah tapak madrasah yang baru
tahun bermula 1968 itu
nama Madrasah Wak Tanjong muncul berdiri
anak didik terus bergilir-ganti di tiga sessi
pagi petang dan malam pasti
asatizah tercungap menari mengikut irama gendang ilmu
walau ganjaran diberi tidak setimpal budi
yang dicari adalah redha Ilahi
dengan ibarat sebutir dibalas tujuh
dan dari tujuh berlipat-ganda tentu
Engkaulah yang memberi kamilah yang menyerah diri
II
bermula tahun bernama 1970
anak didik lepasan sanawiyah empat
bertebaran mencari ilmu merata penjuru
ada yang bermotor ke Maahad Johor Bahru
ada yang belayar ke IAIN Surabaya sendiri
yang gigih terus terbang ke Azhar berdikari
mudir besar hati dan asatizah senyum sama sendiri
kerana gendang palu mereka memantul ke tiap penjuru
lima tahun selepas itu
Madrasah Wak Tanjung Al-Islamiah
diakui pemerintah sebagai institusi jati diri
tiap awal tahun baru bermula
banyak anak menangis tak diberi tempat tentu
bermula tahun 1980 yang pasti
mudir dan anggota lembaga membuat tekad yang berani
untuk membangun gedung yang lengkap bestari
biar anak didik Islam selesa berilmu tinggi
tahun bernama 1982
mula pertama anak didik madrasah
dengan bekal guru yang gigih
berani menempat diri menduduki ujian bernama GCE
cukup waktu diumum tentu
ada anak didik senyum kembang begitu
bersemangat untuk terus ke menara gading
boleh ke UKM mendalami bahasa dan sastera Melayu
atau ke UIA mengaji undang-undang Islam yang jitu
atau ke NUS yang ketat saringan masuknya tentu
15
III
bermula muncul mentari baru 1987
setelah sebidang tanah diperolehi pasti
gendang perang mengumpul dana dipalu mudir
anak didik di samping mengejar ilmu terus bertambah gigih
menadah tabung di depan masjid dan surau
membawa kartu memaksa ibubapa mengisi ruang
mengedar korma ke hulu ke hilir ketika bulan suci menjelang
para guru dan asatizah terus cekal membantu sama
ketika gedung Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah mula dibina
ketika terbit mentari awal tahun 1989
berbondong-bondong anak didik dan para guru
mengangkat buku kitab kerusi dan meja tentu
ke Sekolah Broadrick tempat disewa
anak didik dan ibubapa letih-lesu membawa tabung
masyarakat Islam sama gigih menyumbang langsung
walau lembaga masjid dan badan kebajikan
terus bersaing menyodor tabung
akhirnya tahun keramat 1994 menampakkan diri
wajah ceria anak-anak didik dan asatizah
bermunculan sama di hadapan
gedung indah bistari bernama
Madarsah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah
Allahu Akbar berkumandang menggema di udara
Alhamdulillah syukur bergemersik rata
setiap peluh yang menitik
setiap kertas yang dihulur
menjadi tujuh kali ganda dan terus seratus kali ganda!
tidakkah engkau sedar? Tidakkah engkau tahu?
IV
pada hari ini pada tahun 2008 ceria ini
kami anak-anak didik Wak Tanjong
yang merangkul ijazah dari penjuru dunia
berhimpun di sini di hadapan alma matar kami
menitiskan airmata suci ikhlas kami
di atas tanah yang mendewaskan badaniah kami
di atas lantai batu pualam yang mencorakkan fikiran kami
kekal kararlah engkau Wak Tanjong institusi mulia ini!
pada detik bersejarah 50 tahun usiamu kini
di gedung besar ini ada tersimpan sejarah kami
mudir para guru dan asatizah adalah mentor kami
kami mantan anak-anak didikmu
yang kini telah menjadi ibu bapa asatizah atau da’i
tiada upaya merangkul tubuh besar gedungmu
tapi percayalah hati sanubari kami tetap melekat
di tiap lantai dinding dan menara gadingmu
inilah kami yang berikrar di hadapan-Mu!
pada detik bersejarah 50 tahun usiamu kini
engkau terus membesar dengan agenda ilmu
biar angin ribut melanda tubuh bathinmu
atau bisikan angin sepoi melenakan tidurmu
kami anak didikmu yang tua bisa pergi
para guru asatizah yang tua bisa bertukar-ganti
teguh gigihlah engkau hendaknya menyebar ilmu
berdiri di bumi suci ini
di bumi Allah ini
biar seribu tahun lagi!
Suratman Markasan
10 Rabiul Akhir 1429
17 April 2008
Cikgu Suratman merupakan seorang sasterawan Singapura. Beliau juga merupakan seorang guru Sastera di MWTI.
16
MWTI Golden Jubilee
VISION Moulding students to become intellectual scholars who excel religiously as well as academically
MISSION We are devoted not only to impart knowledge
but also to educate and prepare our students to face life
as good Muslims who are competitive, confident, loving,
responsible and wise.
SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY
-Mastering of the Arabic language is a pre-requisite
for the understanding of the Quran and Hadith (Prophetic
Tradition), the two fundamental sources of Islamic jurisprudence
-Not less in importance is the acquisition of knowledge in the secular sciences. This is to build a Muslim
generation who remains relevant and can adapt to modern
challenges
eye on
mwti
Lagu Madrasah
Madrasah Wak Tanjong lambang cita
Membentuk ummah maju jaya
Berilmu dan berakhlak mulia
Itulah harapan kita
Maju madrasah terus maju
Sama-sama kita berganding bahu
Menjadi ummah bersatu padu
Menuju ke arah yang satu
Kami, pelajar Madrasah Wak Tanjong
Al-Islamiah, berikrar, untuk taat kepada perintah Allah,
Rasul, kedua ibu-bapa dan semua arahan madrasah
serta sentiasa bersedia member khidmat dan membantu
madrasah dalam setip kegiatannya agar dapat
membina suatu masyarakat yang beriman dan produktif
berdasarkan pada Al-Quran dan As-Sunnah demi
mencapai
kebahagiaan
dunia
dan
akhirat.
Iqrar
Pledge We, the students of
Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah, pledge to obey
the commandments of Allah, the Prophet and our
parents; to abide by all the school rules; to
render our services and support to the school in all its
activities, so as to build a society o f strong
faith and high productivity, based on the
Quran and Sunnah; with the hope of achieving
happiness and prosperity, now and in the Hereafter.
School
Motto Madrasah
Nur ‘ala nur
Lencana Madrasah
Lencana Madrasah menerapkan gambar obor
yang menjadi lambang ilmu penerang kehidupan manusia. Tanpa ilmu manusia akan
sentiasa berada dalam kegelapan dan sering
melakukan perkara-perkara yang menukar.
Hanya dengan ilmu sahajalah manusia dapat
membezakan di antara yang hak dan yang batil.
Pakaian Seragam
Chorus:
Berusaha...... berusaha...........
Mengejar cita-cita
Beramal......... beramal
Amalan Rasulullah.
Lagu: Cikgu Abdolah Lamat
Lirik: Cikgu Khadijah Sehat
17
History of Madrasah Wak
Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah (MWTI) was
established as Madrasah Ad-Diniyyah Al-Islamiah
Fundraising for the construction of a school building
School then moved to the completed new building
Academic subjects added to the syllabus
-Major fundraising efforts to purchase land
for the new building
-Eventual purchase of plot of land for MWTI
The name “Madrasah Ad-Diniyyah” was
changed to the present “Madrasah
Wak Tanjong”
The first batch of Secondary 4
graduates sent overseas to further
their education
1958
1959
1968
1966
1970
1987
1975
MWTI’s yearly tradition of Maulidur Rasul
(the Prophet’s Birthday) celebration was
started
1982
1989 - 1993
Jan1994
MWTI moved temporarily to the old
premises of Broadrick Secondary
School for five years, as the new
building was constructed
MWTI was included in the Ministry of
Education’s Education Act
The first batch of Secondary 4 students sat for their GCE ‘O’ Levels
Students returned to a redeveloped 589 Sims
Avenue on the first day of school
18
MWTI Golden Jubilee
Tanjong Al-Islamiah: A Timeline
Works to make the school more comfortable
kicked in
A classroom on the first floor was turned
into an IT Lab
The new building was officially opened by Almarhum
Syeikh Umar Abdullah Alkhatib
The Compulsory Education Act
was implemented
August 1994
2002
1998
1999
2000
2003
2005
2008
2001
50th anniversary of the school
The first batch of Primary 6 students will
be sitting for the PSLE on a national level
The Pre-University level
was introduced in the
MWTI system
The MWTI Pre-U Certificate are now recognised by
several Middle Eastern universities
An additional fifth storey was
constructed
The first batch of Pre-U students sat for their
GCE ‘A’ Level examinations
19
Scenes at the Kampung school classrooms
at
the
Humble Beginnings
It
humble
began,
home
of
in
1958,
its
founder.
The early images of MWTI were that of a kampong house that bustles with life mostly in the
night. Local children in throngs were seeking religious knowledge from Ustaz Mhd Noor at his
house, at Kampong Wak Tanjong in Paya Lebar.
drasah
MWTI was then formerly known as MaAd-Diniyyah
Al-Islamiah.
Its
students
came from nearby areas, including Lorong Engku
Aman, in Geylang Serai. When the school was in
its early years, the enrolment was less than 100,
and this group was taught by only four teachers.
As the original intention of the school was to
equip children with basic Islamic knowledge (or fardhu ‘ain), only three subjects were offered: Religion,
Arabic and Quran. Lessons were usually about two
As the school’s popularity grew, so did
its number of students. Six months after the
school was established, two new school sessions were added to meet the growing needs of
the local residents for a more rigorous curriculum.
Plans to institutionalise Madrasah Ad-Dini-
yyah into a stand-alone school soon came up. Ustaz
Mhd Noor then sought permission from his family to use a plot of land in the village that it owned
for the possible extension of school premises.
To raise funds for a new building, the school
collaborated with Allahyarham Kiyai Fathullah Harun,
a well-known preacher of his time, by selling religious pamphlets edited by the Kiyai. Half of the sale
proceeds went to the school fund that was eventually used for the construction of a new school.
hours long and only begins after Maghrib prayers.
20
MWTI Golden Jubilee
The Kampong
School
The construction was completed at the end
of 1959. Without much delay, classes began at
the new location, which was at 589-D, Sims Avenue.
The site which the “kampong school” (the
nickname which it is known by today) sat on then,
was on the grounds the present MWTI stood today.
The school building was essentially a big rectangular room measuring 60 feet by 25 feet, which
was divided into five classrooms using wooden
screens. The wooden screens were basic and they
did not do much in ‘creating separate rooms’ conducive for learning. One could peek into the next
classroom, and in fact one could hear everything
coming from it. Confusion and interruptions frequently
abounds. “The teachers could see each other while
they were teaching,” commented former student
and current Malay teacher, Cikgu Masnia Nassim.
There were further changes to the Ad-Diniyyah system. One of these included the introduction of academic subjects such as the English Language and Bahasa Melayu into the curriculum. The
intake of new students was increased to about 200.
Two extra school sessions (the morning and after
noon sessions) were being introduced to ac-
commodate the students from government schools.
Due to that, the students from the government schools
would be able to conveniently attend religious classes outside the usual curriculum time for Ad-Diniyyah.
Madrasah Ad-Diniyyah, in the eyes of many,
seemed to have institutionalised itself well, apart from
just offering a complementary religious education for
the local children. Even then, the school maintained
its relaxed atmosphere, with the students less likely
to be competitive and stressed over their exams.
With students tightly packed together with
the teachers in the small space, it is no surprise that
the bond between students and teachers, especially the principal (who was also a teaching staff) was
very strong. This would be seen when a big event
was organised, like the Maulidur Rasul celebration.
The spirit of collective cooperation, or gotong royong,
would be evident. Students would spend a night or
two preparing the school for the occasion. The building would be given a thorough spring-cleaning by
these students, and then they would all cook together.
“The teachers
could see each
other while they
were teaching”
21
In 1968, the name “Madrasah Ad-Diniyyah” was changed to
“Madrasah Wak Tanjong”. The move was so as to avoid confusion,
as a few other madrasahs in Singapore were also named “Madrasah Ad-Diniyyah”. There were two factors that had influenced the
Students manning their stalls during a
fundraising project
choice of name. The obvious one was the location of the school. The
other was the name of Ustaz Mhd Noor’s paternal great-grandfather.
Twelve years after MWTI was first established, the school
sent its first batch of Secondary 4 graduates overseas to further their education. To begin, some went into institutions in MaPreparing for a small Maulidur Rasul
celebration
laysia or Indonesia to obtain pre-university qualifications. From
these institutions, many graduates furthered their studies either at
the Al-Azhar University in Egypt, or in Saudi Arabia. Among those
who were sent was Ustazah Orfiyah Jaafar, currently MWTI’s religious studies teacher, who went to Kolej Nilampuri, in Kelantan.
Efforts to modernise and to streamline the Madrasah education started in 1975, when MWTI registered itself with the MinCooking up a storm together
istry of Education. In 1981, the first batch of MWTI students
sat for their GCE ‘O’ Level examinations in Malay, English, Arabic, Islamic Religious Knowledge, History and Malay Literature.
With the Master Plan that guides the land authorities to urbanize SingaWith visitors from Egypt
pore in the late 80s, the “kampong school” building was to be demol-
At the background is the quarters for the thenneighbouring Paya Lebar Fire Station
ished along with the villages in the area. Coincidentally, realising that
the school could not maintain its operation in the small building with the
ever increasing enrolment, plans were being made for the next step.
22
MWTI Golden Jubilee
Students and teachers at the Broadrick Road premises
On Broadrick Road
MWTI took the opportunity of the Singapore’s urbanization plan to construct a more capa-
cious building on the same land it was on after the redevelopment. Since the land which the madrasah was formerly on was acquired by the authorities, major efforts in fundraising kicked off in 1987.
Donations from the public were needed to help secure the purchase of the allotted plot of land, measuring three-quarters of a hectare, for almost a quarter of a million dollars under a 30-year lease.
In the mean time, while the construction works began in 1989 leading towards better prospects,
the school was temporarily shifted to another premise, at the old building of Broadrick Secondary School
at Broadrick Road, for five years. MWTI shared the premises with Jamiyah Kindergarten (who was also going through their own redevelopment) and though the building looked dilapidated, students surely enjoyed
23
the big field which came with it, on which they roamed
freely and played soccer during recess. Ustazah
Habibah Djamil, a religious studies teacher, recalled
fondly, “We had to chase after some students who
were playing at the end of the large field, as they
did not hear the bell when recess period finished.”
Not many people know that MWTI used to
have a syu’bah system during the time in Broadrick
Road. It was initiated by the principal out of his con-
Students standing in line before proceeding
cern and desire in giving all students the chance
to learn Islam. The aim was to help students from
secular schools who had transferred into MWTI integrate smoothly into the school. Students who
passed two levels of syu’bah, thus proving themselves capable of managing the heavy workload in
extra subjects and learning Arabic, would then be
transferred into the mainstream classes for Primary
4 or 5. Although this syu’bah system did not last
The MWTI Dikir Barat group in their traditional
Malay costumes
long, the system should be credited as MWTI have
had several students from here who went on to
shine and achieve success after their graduation.
MWTI students and teachers assemble during a
function
24
MWTI Golden Jubilee
The sea of students assemble during a function
“We had to chase
after some students
who were playing at
the end of the large
field, as they did not
hear the bell when
recess period
finished.”
MWTI Sports Day held on the huge green field
In 1993, MWTI faced a major stumbling block.
also made to the public through advertising in
The school’s building fund was depleting fast, and newspapers.
Desperate
times
calls
for
des-
due to this, construction works had to be halted for perate measures. The principal even went into
several months. As the yet-completed building stood
lengths to get students appealing with dona-
alone untouched at the work site, MWTI went on a
tions boxes at the various mosques in Singapore.
fundraising frenzy, appealing again to the public for
help. Further efforts to raise funds included selling Alhamdullilah, with God’s grace, and the pubIranian dates and calendars. Most of these efforts
lic’s magnanimity, all of these slogging paid off. With
were by the students’ own sweat.
the resumption of the long dormant construction work,
Appeals were
the vision of a new MWTI soon came back to life.
25
The faculty posing for a group photo on the
Broadrick Road premises
Students watching the performance during a Maulidur
Rasul celebrations
Students waiting for their turn to perform
a nasyid
MWTI students and teachers assemble during a function
MWTI female teachers performing a
marhaban
26
26
MWTI GOLDEN
Golden JUBILEE
Jubilee
MWTI students performing a nasyid
Spotlight on
Ustaz
Supendi
Students consulting Ustaz Supendi at the school library
A person that surely would be recognized by
the present and former MWTI students, one whom is
loyal and dedicated. He is Ustaz Supendi Jamhada.
The Indonesia-born Arabic teacher began contributing his services to MWTI since 1990. He was a
graduate of the Arabic Language Faculty at Iman Bin
Saud University, where he met Ustaz Abdul Halim
Mhd Noor, the present MWTI Vice Principal who was
also studying there. Ustaz Supendi, upon returning to Indonesia, was personally invited by the Principal of MWTI for a teaching position in the school.
Those who studied in MWTI when it was located along Broadrick Road would remember a squat,
tiny house at the front yard of the school. That was
where Ustaz Supendi called “home” the first three
years that he was in MWTI. Describing the house
as “uncomfortable”, his family would “suffer” from
the students’ unceasing disturbances in the form of
peeking through his windows, and the oft-not-sofunny running away after knocking at his front door.
On the bright side, Ustaz Supendi admitted that he
could go home, just a few steps away, for lunch.
As the only foreign teacher in MWTI then, he
recalls of the “teething problems” that he faced when
he first started teaching here, especially due to the
language barrier that existed between student and
teacher. He would conduct his lessons fully in Arabic, much to the amusement of his students. And
when he tried explaining to them in Malay, it would
be met with confusion, as he could only do so in Bahasa Indonesia which was apparently not the Malay
the students were familiar with. He attributes this to the
Ustaz Supendi and colleagues at the Broadrick Road
staff room for male faculty
students’ lack of exposure, though he admits that this would have not been a problem now, as the students have been accustomed over the years to be taught fully in Arabic.
Ustaz Supendi feels a certain kind of pride
when he sees his former students who are now
basking in their own successes. To him, it is satisfying to see the fruits of his teaching labour.
Though one may credit Ustaz Supendi wholly for
his successes in teaching the Arabic language to MWTI
students, the humble Ustaz could only reply that both
teachers and students together create the successes,
as the diligence of the students should be credited too.
To Ustaz Supendi, thank you for all the years of
your tireless contributions. May the prospective MWTI
students also experience joy in learning Arabic from you!
27
Back Where We Belong: Sims Avenue
On the first day of school in 1994, students
to improve school facilities. The school has also taken
and staff of MWTI proudly returned to 589 Sims Av- pains to ensure that students and staff are constantenue, where the redeveloped school building patiently
ly comfortable being in the school by upgrading the
awaits them. The brand new building, price-tagged at
school further over the years. This includes installing
nearly $2 million, was different from the humble “kam- air-conditioners in the multi-purpose hall and having
pong school” in every way. Standing at four storeys projectors in the classrooms, and many other initiatall, it is the sophisticated, modern and spacious build- tives. Most importantly, MWTI students are no longer
ing that we all witness today. Of course, the buck does shy in entering national events and competitions (not to
not stop here with the completion of the new building. mention winning in several of them too), mingling and
competing not only against other madrasah students,
Even with the new building, MWTI still suf- but with their mainstream school counterparts as well.
fered from a lack of space as new improvements
were made to the school system. For example, MWTI
had to construct a fifth storey to cater to the growing number of Pre-University students, who had been
using the conference room while waiting for the fifth
level to be completed. A fundraising project by the
school was started again, and students and staff
once again rolled up their sleeves to sell coupons
to the public. In 2001, the fifth storey was completed at a cost of $1.1 million, adding four more comfortable classrooms to the school’s ten classrooms.
Among the many other changes that MWTI has
done to meet with the times was its inclusion under the
Compulsory Education Act, in which all Primary 6 students were required to take the Primary School Leaving
Examination (PSLE). An I.T. lab was also under added
28
Upon reflection, MWTI has truly transformed itself
over the years. Obviously, it has transformed physically
time after time. But on a deeper level, its character has
grown stronger with time. It has modernised in an Islamic manner without ever compromising its initial vision.
MWTI has been ceaselessly providing qual-
ity education and producing commendable students
throughout the years, many of whom are on competitive grounds with the rest of their secular contemporaries. MWTI students are always adaptable and
constantly proving their relevance to modern Singapore. Albeit with some successes, the management
always bears in mind that improvements will always
have to be made in order to progress and remain
constantly relevant with respect to the larger society.
MWTI Golden Jubilee
The principal and board members with donors from
the Islamic Development Bank at the site of the
unfinished new building
Of course, MWTI, currently made up of 735
united and better. MWTI still has more hurdles to over-
students and 35 teachers, has gone this far only due come, but we are confident that we and the rest of the
to Allah’s grace. And with His grace, the noble public, MWTI family will be able to face and overcome them
especially the Muslim community, has always given together with the help and support from the public.
their support to the school. MWTI is also blessed Though the future is unpredictable, InsyaAllah, MWTI will
with committed students, staff and board mem- greet the next 50 years to come with arms wide open!
bers, their families, which had sacrificed their time,
effort and money for the betterment of this school.
We have endured, survived, and managed to
strive a great deal for the past 50 years. All the obstacles the school has faced in the past are not without
meaning: they only serve to make MWTI stronger, more
Though the future is
unpredictable, InsyaAllah,
MWTI will greet the next
50 years to come with
arms wide open!
29
Teachers playing musical ch
faculty function
Sports Day 2007 for female students at Tampines Sports Complex
Students having a fun time the
school carnival on the MWTI
Official Reopening
Parents waiting for the school
gates to open, on the day
of registration for Primary 1
students
The principal delivering a
sermon during a
congregational prayer
session on Hari Raya
Aidilfitri
A classroom of students sharing a light moment with their form teacher,
Ustaz Musthofa
At a wau (Malay traditional ki
b
Proudly waving the Singapore flags during
a National Day celebration
An old MWTI nasyid group, Al-Fityaan, performs
during a Maulidur Rasul celebration
Students heading for the neighbouring
mosque before their Qiyamullail camp
School janitor, Hassan,who has been in
MWTI since 1999, smiling for the camera
A dikir barat performance by students
during a Hari Raya Aidilfitri function
30
MWTI Golden Jubilee
hairs at a
MWTI debate team members and teachers after their win
at a debate competition organised by Berita Harian
MWTI male students posing with their
hard-earned trophies after the InterMadrasah Games
MWTI team members on the stage during a Pesta
Pantun (Malay Poetry) competition
Students pose while IT Coordinator Mr Remi scoops
food, during a student-organised Teachers’ Day fiesta
Students having fun at Rebutia camp
The MWTI team members with their trophies after the
Inter-Madrasah PSTE Quiz
ite) competition, organised
by Catholic Junior College
At the school pond
MWTI students and their respective charges,
On a geography fieldtrip
with our
and Batok
our hands
at hearts
the Bukit
Japanese students from a Homestay31
ProLittle Guilin
gramme, at the zoo
Catatan Daripada Tetamu VIP yang
Pernah Melawat MWTI
32
MWTI Golden Jubilee
The principal of a Yemeni school
on a visit to MWTI
Visits by
Some Notable Guests
Forum panel members include Mufti of Perlis Dr
Asri Zainul Abidin and Deputy Mufti of Singapore,
Ustaz Fatris Bakaram
BG George Yeo giving a speech
at a National Day celebration
Ustaz Abu Bakar Hashim
Mufti of Singapore Syed
Isa Semait peers over a
Former MWTI students with Fandi Ahmad, student’s entry for a
during an MWTI Open House Science exhibition
Member of Parliament Mr Zainul
Abidin Rasheed
Syeikh Umar Alkhatib during the
MWTI official reopening Member of Parliamant,
Member of Parliment Sidek Saniff peers
into a microscope
Muis president Mr Alami Musa enjoying a
briyani feast with MWTI board members
during a Maulidur Rasul celebration
Member of Parliament Mr Yaacon Ibrahim,
during a National Day celebration
Mr Chan Soo Sen, during
a National Day celebration
33
Madrasah Students
I Have Met
system would have easily qualified for the Gifted Education Programme or the Integrated Programme. Yet, they
are able to achieve this without special facilities, no free
and easy access to the Internet, no magnificent libraries, no extra curriculum time, no magic books or formulas.
By Shariffa Hoosan
I began my relationship with MWTI as a teacher
in 2001. Most of those I had taught have graduated and
are now leading their own lives. A few I have had the pleasure of bumping into recently. Before, they were my students. Now, they are my colleagues. Alhamdulillah!
Though I have never had the pleasure of being educated
in a madrasah, I have always had the highest respect for it. I believe
in its principles, its spirit of discipline and its culture, all of which
have emerged from a tradition that is rich in history and importance.
As students (and even teachers) in such an institution,
all of us carry on the heritage of the Prophets that Allah has sent
down to mankind over the years, beginning with the prophet
Adam a.s. and ending with our ‘uswatun hasanah’ (the best of
examples), Rasulullah s.a.w. We also carry on our shoulders
the tradition of those who have left us, for example Al Ghazzali, Ibn Khaldun, Ismail Raji Al-Faruqi, and Rashid Ridha, and
those who are still with us, like contemporary scholars Tariq
Ramadan, Osman Bakar and Syed Naquib Al-Attas. Who else
but madrasah students would be familiar with these names.
What was their secret? No secret really, just plain, old,
hard work and a brave heart. Brave to face up to their own weaknesses and brave to persevere to better themselves. That, at the
end of the day is the best jihad. It is also the most difficult. In the
beginning, it may be easy to say, “Oh, I’ll just sleep less and read
more. That will do it for me.” But as the weeks pass and the body
gets tired and the results do not come thick and fast, the morale
reduces, and something so simple becomes nearly impossible.
Yet, how is it that some among us are able to carry
on? Are they superhuman? What is their motivation? It is this:
1. Rasulullah’s example. Remember his campaign for 23 years in Makkah and Madinah? Through his
blood, sweat and tears, we are Muslims today, Alhamdulillah.
2. The desire for Mardhatillah, or Allah’s pleasure.
Nothing is sweeter than that and Aakhirah (the Hereafter). If
Rasulullah shed blood, sweat and tears to achieve this, even
though he had already been promised Paradise, what more us?
will
3. The faith in
not burden a soul
Allah’s promise that He
more than it can bear.
That, for any Muslim student, trained in an Islamic educational institution, under an Islamic educational environment,
should be enough motivation and a fountain of moral support.
For me, there is no need for any other recipe for success.
Insha Allah, one day, we may find the names of people who hailed from this institution itself, gracing the cover of
a book of knowledge, or headlining a major international seminar or conference, or even heading a multi-national corporation running a syariah-compliant business. InsyaAllah, Amin.
Why do I believe in this system of education so
much? Why do I have such hopes? I anticipate the possibility of all these to happen through my interactions
with those who are trained in these hallowed halls. From
them, I learn things which give me such positive vibes.
I have encountered students who take on the full load of
the GCE ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels plus their religious and Arabic subjects,
and master both fields. These are students, who, in the secular
34
Madam Shariffa is currently an MWTI teacher for General Paper. She is
a mother of three.
MWTI Golden Jubilee
35
36
MWTI Golden Jubilee
Ustaz Salaam with his graduating students
37
Fundraising
Activities
The school fees that MWTI charge its students may
be slightly more expensive as compared to other schools. But
with all due honesty, MWTI’s operational costs still often run on
the deficit. It has to be noted that the monthly income that it
gets from the school fees and grants, and the variable funds
that it gets through the Zakat collection and various charitable
foundations are still barely enough for MWTI to be stable financially. MWTI has to often rely on the compassion of the public to
keep itself afloat. MWTI appreciates every gesture of help from
the benevolent contributors and it will eternally remain grateful.
As a private institution with no assets except for its
physical building and the land that it stands on, that is why it is
absolutely crucial for MWTI to hold various fundraising activities
each year, so as to aid it financially. And Alhamdulillah, through
the fundraising activities that MWTI organises, the public has not
only remained generous, but also remained supportive of our activities. The activities, though, are not only specifically meant for
the act of fundraising but they also aim to provide a service which
benefits the whole community. For example, some of the activities
include providing a platform for a religious dialogue through quality
and engaging seminars. Renowned speakers were invited to offer
their invaluable insights in such seminars aforementioned. These
activities can be read further in the next article and also in page 50.
MWTI Maulidur Rasul celebrations in the 1990s
Among the yearly activities that MWTI also organised includes the Maulidur Rasul celebrations, the Qurban (Sacrifice) during the Eidul Adha, the selling of dates
during Ramadhan, and the Friday mosque collections.
And of course, MWTI as an institution owes a great deal
to their staff and students. Truly, they are the invaluable assets
that MWTI has produced and retained all these years. With their
hearts and with their hands, they have been always the ones
who unabashedly approached the public for their noble support.
The principal distributes dates to be sold at mosques
to students
38
Bekas pelajar
MWTI menjamu
selera di majlis
Maulidur Rasul
MWTI
As such, to ensure that MWTI continues to serve successfully as a religious institution, it constantly hopes that the public
understands the rationale behind all these activities and engage in
them. These activities sustain MWTI as an educational institution
for the benefit of the greater Muslim community. Hence, MWTI
seeks your understanding and continuing support in the future.
InsyaAllah!
MWTI Golden Jubilee
MAJLIS MEMPERINGATI KELAHIRAN NABI
MUHAMMAD SAW: DAHULU DAN KINI
Pada akhir 80an pula, majlis bagi malam Sabtu mula
dikhususkan untuk ceramah agama dengan mengundang
tokoh-tokoh ugama ternama untuk menyampaikan syarahan mereka. Ini adalah sebagai khidmat madrasah kepada
masyarakat Islam dalam menyebarkan dakwah Islamiah.
Sekitar pertengahan 90an pula, majlis ceramah telah diubah kepada Majlis Forum Perdana di mana beberapa
orang ahli panel terkenal sama ada dari Singapura mahupun dari
Malaysia diundang untuk membincangkan topik-topik tertentu.
Kerana sambutan menggalakkan yang diterima dari masyarakat
Islam, trend Forum perdana telah diteruskan hingga kini.
Para jemaah di
MWTI membaca diba’i di
bangunan lama
Madrasah
MWTI telah mula mengadakan Majlis Sambutan Maulidir
Rasul sejak tahun 1966, lapan tahun sejak ia diasaskan. Sejak
itu, majlis ini telah menjadi acara tahunan madrasah hinggalah
kini iaitu pada tahun 2008 merupakan sambutan kali ke-42.
Pada awalnya, ia disambut setiap datangnya 12
Rabi’ul Awal dan majlis hanyalah merupakan bacaan diba’i
dan selawat, dan para pelajar kemudian diberi jamuan bubor lambok. Kira-kira tujuh tahun kemudian pula, para sukarelawan menyiapkan jamuan nasi minyak untuk majlis ini.
Biaya jamuan ini didapatkan melalui kutipan derma
melalui senarai maulid yang dijalankan oleh para pelajar. Sejak itu setiap tahun senarai kutipan maulid MWTI disebarkan
di kalangan waris pelajar dan masyarakat Islam. Perbelanjaan
jamuan ini sepenuhnya dibiaya daripada kutipan ini, manakala baki kutipan disalurkan ke dana pentadbiran madrasah.
Untuk acara ini, semua warga madrasah daripada Ahli
Jawatankuasa Pentadbir, guru-guru dan para pelajarnya bergotong royong sama ada dalam menyiapkan jamuan, menghias pentas dan melayan tetamu yang datang. Sejak dari Jumaat lagi, para
pelajar akan mencuci dan membersihkan madrasah, pada pagi
Sabtunya pula pelajar-pelajar perempuan rewang menyiapkan bahan-bahan masakan untuk jamuan dan pada Ahadnya pula sibuk
melayan para tetamu yang datang. Dan sudah menjadi tradisinya
antara tarikan majlis ini ialah cenderahati atau berkat yang diberi
kepada setiap hadirin. Ia selalunya berbeza dari tahun ke tahun.
Pada awalnya, majlis maulid ini lebih merupakan majlis penyampaian hadiah bagi pelajar-pelajar yang mendapat
keputusan cemerlang dalam peperiksaan akhir tahun. Selain
itu, ada juga persembahan-persembahan drama yang dilakonkan oleh kumpulan pelakon-pelakon tempatan, juga persembahan sajak, nasyid dan syarahan oleh pelajar madrasah.
Antara cara pihak madrasah menarik orang ramai untuk
hadir ke majlis ini ialah dengan mengundang beberapa orang artis
pada masa itu antaranya Almarhumah Datin Rafeah Buang untuk
membaca Al-Quran sebagai pembuka majlis. Manakala pengerusi majlisnya pula ialah Puan Jorah Ahmad, seorang artis veteran.
Majlis pada hari Ahad pula pada mulanya adalah merupakan jamuan Maulid yang diadakan di bangunan sekolah, dan
diadakan persembahan-persembahan seperti nasyid, kompang,
hadrah dan dikir barat dari persatuan-persatuan dan pertubuhanpertubuhan setempat. Ianya diadakan di kawasan tanah lapang
yang terletak di sebelah bangunan madrasah. Namun sejak
berpindah ke bangunan baru pada 1994, majlis pada hari Ahad
diisi dengan peraduan-peraduan syarahan dan tilawah Al-Quran
antara pelajar-pelajar madrasah selain menikmati jamuan briyani.
Pada tahun 2006 pula satu acara baru mula diperkenalkan iaitu bahas dalam bahasa Arab yang menemukan pelajar-pelajar madrasah sepenuh masa Singapura dan
juga beberapa madrasah dari Malaysia, Batam dan Brunei.
Bagi jamuan nasi briyani pula, kalau pada awalnya ia
disiapkan secara beramai-ramai oleh para sukarelawan, namun
mulai pertengahan tahun 80an, madrasah mula menggunakan
khidmat katering Hassan Rabit yang telah memberikan khidmatnya lebih kurang 20 tahun untuk jamuan ini. Namun mulai tahun
2007, MWTI telah menggunakan khidmat Hj. Alauddin untuk
menyediakan jamuan briyani yang berjumlah sebanyak 32 periuk.
Begitulah sepintas lalu perkembangan acara tahunan
MWTI iaitu sambutan Maulidur Rasul sejak 42 tahun lalu sehingga kini yang telah melalui perubahan dari semasa ke semasa.
Begitu juga dengan namanya yang telah ditukar kepada Majlis
Zikra Rasul atau Majlis Memperingati Rasulullah sejak tahun 2003.
Majlis ini merupakan salah satu cara madrasah mendekati masyarakat dalam menyebarkan dakwah Islamiah dan ia juga
tidak secara langsung merupakan hari pertemuan para alumni
madrasah begitu juga bekas-bekas tenaga pengajar yang pernah mengajar di madrasah ini. Begitulah sambutan Zikra Rasul
yang merupakan tarikh penting bagi semua warga MWTI dahulu dan sekarang, selain memperingati ajaran-ajaran Rasulullah
saw melalui acara ceramah dan forum agama yang diadakan.
39
REPORT from the MWTI ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
(for English, Mathematics and Science)
Our Academic Department is one of the key pillars of the framework of a balanced education that MWTI strives to provide. The strategies and initiatives undertaken by the department ensure
that our students receive a broad-based education which will equip them with the necessary foundation and critical skills for their post-secondary education in the mainstream system.
Having played an instrumental role in successfully registering the school under the Ministry
of Education Act as early as 1975, the department saw our first batch of candidates sitting for the
GCE ‘O’ Level examinations in 1981. Since then, the department has grown in strength and has
charted the following milestones:
1981
1st batch of students taking GCE ‘O’ Level examinations
(Subjects taken: Malay as 1st language, English as 2nd language, Arabic as 3rd language,
Islamic Religious Knowledge IRK, Malay Literature and History)
1989
Mathematics and Science were introduced in Secondary 1
1992
English taught as 1st language
1st batch of students taking Mathematics at GCE ‘O’ Level
1997
Introduction of streaming (Science and Arts streams) after Secondary
1998
Pre-University classes were started
1999
1st batch of Pre-U students taking GCE ‘A’ Level examinations
(Subjects taken: General Paper, Mathematics, Economics)
Introduction of two streams at Pre-U level: Academic and Ukhrawi (Religious Studies)
2003
1st batch of Primary 6 pupils sat for the Inter-Madrasah PSLE voluntarily to prepare for the
same examination made mandatory in 2008
2007
Review of the existing education framework in order to formulate the next 5-year plan
Our academic performances in national examinations
have been encouraging, though we recognise that more needs
to be done to achieve excellence. For PSLE, we have cleared
the minimum benchmark set by MOE. The average aggregate
T-score has steadily climbed from 154.1 in 2003 to 181.8 in
2007, as could be seen in Graph A.
Good performance could also be seen in our GCE ‘O’
Level examination results between 2000 and 2007. An average of 89% of our students who took the examinations scored
more than 3 credits. Our Science stream students did even
better in 2006, by securing a record of 100% for those who
attained more than 5 credits. The average of Science stream
students who attained 5 credits or more is 77%. Both figures
are recorded in Graphs B and C respectively. The performance
based on the individual subject is reflected in Graph C.
The journey of lifelong learning continues with about
90% of our students pursuing their tertiary education after the
GCE ‘O’ and ‘A’Level examinations. Refer to Graph D for details.
In our pursuit towards academic excellence, we have
not neglected the other aspects of student development such
as inculcating the spirit of resilience, teamwork, enterprise and
innovation. Hence, educational visits were planned, exchange
programmes (both locally and internationally) were undertaken,
participations in various competitions were arranged and other
enrichment activities were conducted.
40
In the Science Lab
Previously, we had exchange programmes with academic institutions such as Chung Cheng High and Takada High
School, Japan, the most recent being Temasek Junior College.
Spearheaded by our academic teachers, the MES
Camp (Maths, English, Science) is a regular department feature
for primary school students. Students ventured out to places
such as the Singapore Botanic Garden, MacRitchie Reservoir,
Sentosa Island and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve for their exploratory learning.
MWTI Golden Jubilee
Leadership Camps were also organised both locally
and overseas for the Pre-U students to inculcate the desired
values of education such as having courage and conviction in
facing adversity, humility, confidence with one’s potential and
upholding the principle of being the vicegerents of Allah.
Through participations in competitions at the national
level, we hope to instill confidence, sense of achievement and
self-worthiness amongst our students. By clinching several
awards, our students have once again showed that madrasah
students are on par with their peers from mainstream schools.
Our students’ achievements include bagging the following accolades:
2005: ‘Most Dedicated Team’ Award in the ‘Yescom’ competition (Pri 6 students)
2007: Merit Award in Mathematics Warriors competition (Pri 4
students)
2007: Merit Award in Inter-School Robotics Challenge (Sec 1 3 students)
The above achievements in academic performance
and Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) bear testimony to the effort,
confidence and commitment of the Academic Department in
providing quality education for our pupils. We do recognise that
such achievements would not have been possible without a
cohesive students-parents-teachers partnership. We hope that
with such strong tripartite relationship, we are able to ride over
the challenges of the ever changing educational landscape.
Credits Attained In GCE 'O' Level
Average Aggregate Attained in PSLE
18 1. 8 4
18 1. 8
Percentage of Students
185
17 3 . 3
175
16 9 . 7
170
165
160
15 4 . 1
155
100
100
180
98
97
90
85
97
86
83
80
80
75
73
72
69
60
50
40
150
2001
145
140
2003
2004
2005
2006
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
89
90
2006
2007
More Than 5 Credits (Science Students)
2007
More Than 3 Credits (All Students)
B
A
Average % Passes for 5 Com pulsory Subjects in GCE 'O'
(Science Stream )
100
100
92
76
80
% of Students in Tertiary Institutions
78
71
100
86
90
72
81
80
63
60
100
51
70
70
2003
2004
70
40
60
20
Eng
A r abi c
M at hs
Sc i enc e
M al ay
75
60
50
40
2001-2003
2004-2006
C
2001
2002
D
2005
41
Laporan dari JABATAN BAHASA ARAB MWTI
Program Jabatan Bahasa Arab
1.
2.
3.
4.
Menyediakan dan menyemak kurikulum pengajaran bahasa arab bagi semua peringkat.
Menyediakan buku teks yang sesuai.
Menyiapkan alat bantu mengajar yang sesuai dan kreatif.
Melakarkan kegiatan-kegiatan Bahasa Arab yang membina, seperti :
1.
2.
3.
4.
Kuis umum Bahasa Arab
Membuat majalah dinding dalam dan luar bilik darjah
Peraduan khitbah, lakonan dan nasyid dalam Bahasa Arab
Peraduan Munazarah (bahas dalam Bahasa Arab) antara
I.
II.
III.
Munazarah antara madrasah-madrasah di Asia
Tenggara
Kelas-kelas di MWTI
Madrasah-madrasah di Singapura
Madrasah-madrasah di Asia Tenggara
5.
Perkhemahan dan kuiz bahasa arab antara madrasah Singapura.
6.
Perkhemahan bahasa arab pelajar menengah satu pada cuti penggal pertama.
7.Lawatan luar negeri berbahasa arab.
8.
Mengadakan ‘Suuq Ukaaz’ sekali setahun.
9.
Menghantar pasukan munazarah keluar negera seperti ke Malaysia (2005) dan Brunei (2008).
Semasa Suuq Ukaaz
LAPORAN dari JABATAN BAHASA MELAYU, SYARIAH
DAN USULUDDIN MWTI
Sejak ditubuhkan, tumpuan pengajaran dan pendidikan MWTI adalah bagi subjek-subjek agama dan Bahasa Arab. Pelajaran akademik seperti Bahasa Inggerís, Ilmu
Hisab, Ilmu Alam dan Sains adalah dalam bentuk sampingan sahaja dan kebanyakannya diajar dalam bahasa Melayu. Buku-buku agama yang digunakan oleh pelajar-pelajar
MWTI pada masa itu adalah mengikut sukatan dari Al-Azhar.
Setelah menamatkan Menengah 4, kebanyakan pelajar
menyambung pengajian mereka sama ada di Yayasan Pengajian Tingi Islam Nilampuri, Kelantan; Maahad Johor; dan juga IAIN
di Surabaya. Dari sini, ada yang terus menyambung pelajaran
ke Universiti Al-Azhar atau Universiti Islam Madinah dan Mekah.
Namun pada tahun 1981, pelajar Menengah 4 madrasah mula mengikuti Sijil Peperiksaan Am Peringkat ‘O’.
Dan pada masa itu, subjek yang ditawarkan adalah Bahasa Melayu, Bahasa Arab, Inggerís sebagai Bahasa Kedua, Sastera Melayu, Pengetahuan Islam dan Sejarah. Sejak itu, pengajaran di bidang akademik mula diambil berat.
42
Pada umumnya mata pelajaran akademik di bahagian menengah diajar oleh guru-guru sekolah Inggerís yang
datang ke madrasah secara sambilan mengajar mata pelajaran-pelajaran ini. Antaranya Cikgu Mohd Ismail yang mengajar bahasa Melayu dan Sastera, Cikgu Abdul Ghani dan
Cikgu Hamim yang mengajar Bahasa Inggerís dan Sains.
Sejak menduduki peperiksaan peringkat ‘O’, peluang
lepasan madrasah untuk melanjutkan pengajian ke lain-lain
institusi lebih terbuka luas, contohnya mereka mula melanjutkan pelajaran ke instituís-institusi pengajian tinggi di Malaysia seperti Akademi Islam di Universiti Malaya, Universitit Kebangsaan Malaysia dan Kolej Sultan Zainal Abidin (KUSZA) di
Terengganu. Di pertengahan tahun 90an pula, pintu ke Universiti Islam Madinah mula terbuka untuk pelajar-pelajar kami.
Pada tahun 1998, kelas Pra-Universiti mula dibuka
bagi lepasan Menengah 4 MWTI dan juga madrasah-madrasah sepenuh masa yang lain. Pada tahun berikutnya, iaitu
1999, mereka buat pertama kalinya menduduki peperiksaan peringkat ‘A’. Pada tahun 2000, MWTI mula mendapat pengiktirafan dari Universiti Al-Azhar dan lepasan Pra-U 2
MWTI layak untuk masuk ke tahun pertama universiti tersebut.
MWTI Golden Jubilee
Pencapaian Setanding
Oleh Dewani Abbas
“Kalau dulu ada sebahagian ibu bapa yang tidak pernah
terfikir untuk menghantar anak mereka ke madrasah, tetapi kini ibu
bapa profesional pun memilih pendidikan madrasah untuk anak mereka. Saya tak tahu kenapa mereka berpandangan demikian dulu,
tetapi sekarang persepsinya sudah berbeza,” kata Encik Sadari.
APABILA disebut tentang pendidikan madrasah dewasa
ini, ia tidak lagi mencernakan pandangan bahawa ia adalah untuk
murid-murid yang “tidak cenderung atau lemah” dalam pelajaran
sekular,
seperti
pada
masa
lalu.
Namun, seperti ramai ibu bapa, beliau juga berpendaptat bahawa subjek-subjek yang perlu dipelajari pelajar madrasah agak terlalu banyak dan mungkin perlu dikurangi sebanyak separuh. “Separuh daripadanya mungkin boleh dijadikan
subjek-subjek pilihan yang boleh dipelajari sama ada sebagai subjek peperiksaan atau sebaliknya,” kata Encik Sadari.
Pandangan sedemikian bukan saja sudah lapuk, malah
telah dibuang jauh-jauh bukan saja oleh masyarakat amnya,
malah ibu bapa yang berpendidikan yang melihat potensi pendidikan madrasah sebagai sesuatu yang memberikan cahaya masa depan yang lebih cerah kepada anak-anak mereka.
Encik Abdullah Hussein, 55 tahun, yang bekerja di
bidang logistik, pula berpendapat bahawa masa depan pendidikan madrasah di sini dijangka cerah pada masa akan datang dengan adanya pembaharuan dan perubahan yang
dilakukan untuk membaiki system pendidikan madrasah.
Demikianlah pergolakan yang telah dilalui oleh madrasah-madrasah kita di Singapura sejak beberapa dekad
lalu. Dan pencapaian oleh Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah yang sudah mencapai usia 50 tahun, tidak terkecuali.
“Tapi, apa yang saya nampak sebagai satu perkembangan yang lebih baik bagi madrasah pada masa akan
datang ialah jika ia boleh pada suatu hari nanti dijadikan
seperti sekolah bantuan pemerintah
yang memberikan
pelajaran ukhrawi dan sekitaran keislaman kepada muridmurid, tetapi membuka pintu kepada pelajar bukan Islam.
Malah, tidak keterlaluan kalau dikatakan bahawa pencapaian murid-murid di madrasah-madrasah kita sejauh ini setanding dengan murid-murid di sekolah-sekolah sekular yang lain.
Sebagai contoh, mereka telah menunjukkan kemampuan
penguasaan bahasa Inggeris yang baik, seperti yang ditunjukkan
oleh sekumpulan pelajar madrasah yang telah menyertai pertandingan berbahas dalam bahasa Inggeris di televisyen, dan ramai telah
melanjutkan pelajaran ke pengajian tinggi di dalam mahupun luar
negara dalam pelbagai bidang, termasuk perubatan dan biosains.
Pendapat seperti yang diajukan oleh Cik Roziah Jantan, 47 tahun, boleh dijadikan contoh. Kata ibu dua orang
anak perempuan yang mendapat pendidikan di madrasah ini:
“Pada saya secara keseluruhan perkembangan madrasah-madrasah di negara ini adalah baik,
malah pencapaian murid-muridnya juga dah setanding dengan pencapaian para pelajar sekolah lain.
“Cuma, sebagai ibu bapa kita perlu berusaha membantu
anak-anak kita yang mendapat pendidikan di madrasah, dengan
member mereka tuisyen, kerana banyaknya subjek yang perlu
mereka pelajari bererti mereka mungkin tidak dapat menguasai semua mata pelajaran itu dengan baik dan memerlukan bimbingan.”
Peguam, Encik Sadari Musari, 55 tahun,
pula berpendapat pendidikan madrasah buat masa
akan datang dijangka terus berkembang kerana adanya permintaan yang tidak luntur daripada masyarakat.
“Konsepnya serupa dengan sekolah-sekolah bantuan pemerintah yang lain di sini seperti CHIJ (Convent of
the Holy Infant Jesus),” Encik Abdullah memberi pandangan.
Cik Siti Alawiyah Adam, 47 tahun, seorang suri rumah dan ibu lima orang anak, pula mengulas: “Ramai pelajar madrasah kini tidak setakat habiskan pelajaran mereka
di madrasah, tapi menyambungnya, misalnya ke politeknik.
Ini perkembangan yang baik dan mereka ada kelebihan sebab ada asas pendidikan agama yang lebih luas.
“Saya sendiri sudah tersilap kerana tidak menghantar anak-anak saya ke madrasah kerana melalui pendidikan madrasah mereka mendapat pendidikan yang “lebih sempurna”. Mereka tahu bahasa Arab dan mempelajari
ilmu agama dengan lebih mendalam - sesuatu yang diperlukan oleh setiap anak Muslim,” kata Cik Siti Alawiyah.
Apa pun pandangan yang diberikan, rumusannya ialah pendidikan madrasah sejauh ini telah menunjukkan kemajuan dengan murid-murid yang telah menunjukkan
tahap
pencapaian
yang
membanggakan.
Kian ramai gurunya juga sudah terlatih. Tahap
tinggi pendidikan yang ditetapkan di Singapura juga bererti pendidikan madrasah tiada pilihan lain, kecuali turut
sama dalam pacuan mencapai tahap yang sama dengan
yang ditetapkan pemerintah dan mungkin lebih tinggi lagi.
43
The Next Lap…
In coming years, one of the biggest challenges that MWTI will face is to keep up with the rapid changes in the
educational landscape. As we move to the next lap, new challenges and precarious situations will arise. Vigilance in
continually being relevant is crucial if we seek the embrace and support of our stakeholders and our local community.
Against this backdrop, since 2007, teachers and the management of MWTI have embarked on a journey to examine
some fundamental principles, challenge existing paradigms, and review current practices and programmes. The result of hours of
discussions, planning and preparation is a five-year plan that, InsyaAllah, will propel MWTI to the next level of excellence.
This plan was unveiled to parents of our students in November 2007 and it is heartening to note that a
majority of them responded positively and pledged their passionate and unwielding support to the school.
The five cornerstones of this five-year plan towards excellence in education include domains such as
external partners, community, parents, students and other madrasahs. The framework is summarised below:
MWTI’s Commitment Towards
Excellence In Education
Scholarship Prog
Mentorship Prog
Enrichment Prog
Remedial Prog
Reading Prog
Pupil Development Prog
Exchange Prog
Competitions
Parents
Students
Parents’ Support Group
Parenting Skills Workshops
Parents-Teachers Conference
Communication – newsletter,
School-based Contact Prog
Community
External partners
Community Involvement Prog
Publicity drive
Internship Prog
Professional Sharing Session
Awareness Prog
Counselling
Alumni
Madrasah
Education framework
Teachers’ training
Syllabus change
Upgrading of teaching resources
Some of the definitive highlights of this framework are the
Scholarship, Mentorship, Internship and Exchange Programmes,
as well as Professional Sharing Sessions and Streaming Exercise.
Although this five-year initiative will only be
kick-started in 2009, another important revolution, though silent,
has been taking place since 2008 in the MWTI classrooms. These
subtle changes include the use of PowerPoint presentations
by teachers during lessons in their endeavour to engage our
visual learners. This is made possible with the upgrading of
infrastructure and teaching resources such as installation of
projectors in classrooms, wireless network connections, etc.
As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, an
mpressive milestone for a school rich in tradition, we remain
confident in nurturing our students to become lifelong learners who
cherish true knowledge and uphold the principle of moral
justice, compassionate, humility, resilience and other noble
values which are in line with their roles as vicegerents of God.
As Mother Theresa once said, “We can do not great
things, only small things with great love.”
We thank all parents who have entrusted their children
to us by choosing MWTI as their child’s preferred madrasah.
“You can pay people to teach, but you can’t pay them
The year 2008 also witnessed the introduction of the “Back-To-School” Programme to warmly welcome our stu- to care” (Marba Collins).
dents back to school on their first day of the new academic
year. Each student was given a goodie bag containing three We at MWTI strive to fulfil your expectations.
items, and each item symbolises a moral value which the school
MWTI, keep the flag unfurled! Nur ‘ala Nur.
dearly adheres to. These three items are a pen, a notebook and a packet of M&M chocolate. The pen represents the importance of charting one’s vision and mission in life, the book
represents the virtue of seeking knowledge while the M&M
44
MWTI
Golden Jubilee
chocolate
serves to remind our students to uphold the
true
character of a Muslim and a Madrasah student in spreading
…
STAFF, FACULTY
& BOARD
MEMBERS:
A GALLERY
Mudir & Naib Mudir
Ust Mhd Noor Taib
Ust Md Abd Halim Mhd Noor
Ahli Jawatankuasa Pentadbiran MWTI
45
Jabatan Bahasa Arab
(Rendah & Menengah)
Habiba Djamil (HOD)
Supendi Jamhada
Musthofa Ghozali
Abd Salam Abd Hameed
Faridah Ali
Siti Juliah Jundi
Roslina Ismail
Jabatan Usuluddin & Syariah
(Rendah & Menengah)
Orfiyah Jaafar (HOD)
Esah Idris
Sidah Haron
Saodah Sunan
Ainon Mayah
Saudah Ibrahim
Ibrahim Abd Rahman
Rozanna Khalid
Academic Department
(Secondary)
Aini Safuan (HOD)
Zaiton Harunnar Rashed
Md Isa Hassan
Haidad Ali
Sarifudin Sapari
Md Ghazali Yacob
46
46
MWTI Golden Jubilee
Academic Department
(Primary)
Nur Hilyati Mohd Said (HOD)
Mazda Mustajab
Sa’diah Jaafar
Nishani Abdullah Aminuddin
Katris Aris Abdullah
Aidal Kelana Mohd Razali
Noorliza Abd Manap
Jabatan Bahasa
Melayu (Rendah &
Menengah)
Masnia Nassim (HOD)
Siti Mariam Jaafar
Nurulhuda Saniff
Pegawai, Pustakawan
& IT Koordinator
Mardiana Jonet
Noorhayati Ramli
Nur Hilah Md Hamdi
Norhafisza Md Noor
Khairiah Khalik
47
CLUBS
ITMAWAT
ITMAWAT, an abbreviation of Ittihad Tullab Madrasah Wak
Tanjong Al-Islamiah, or the MWTI Student Council was founded in 1995 initiated by Ustaz Md Shafi Md Nur and his wife
Cikgu Hartati Wahid. ITMAWAT’s foremost goal is to ensure
the welfare of students through social support, by instilling
unity in students and strengthening the ukhuwwah, or bonds,
between them. Originally made up of only male students,
the Council gradually opened up to female students as well.
ITMAWAT is divided into three main units: the Ibadah and Dakwah
Unit, the Welfare and Education Unit, and the Logistic Unit (for
female students only). Activities organised by these units include
the annual leadership camps, workshops and excursions. Their
motto is “Penyatuan Teras Kejayaan” (With Unity Comes Success).
PERBAYU
The Persatuan Bahasa Melayu (PERBAYU) was established
in 2000 by then-students Md Salam Nasip and Syahida Johari with the goal of bringing the Malay language and culture to life, and instilling passion in the hearts of students for
the language. Guided closely by Malay teacher Cikgu Masnia Nassim, PERBAYU fiercely stands up to its motto, “Bahasa Penggerak Bangsa, Seni Penjunjung Budaya”. Among
the activities organised by PERBAYU is the Bulan Bahasa, a
month-long campaign promoting Malay culture and tradition.
PERBAYU aspires to improve the usage of Malay language by
students through more interesting approaches. This includes organizing events like Jelira Bayu, to showcase silat, wayang kulit,
dikir barat, among others, a trip to Taman Warisan Melayu (the
Malay Heritage Centre), and language workshops for members.
Society of English Appreciation
The Society of English Appreciation (SEA) attempts to instill the
love and appreciation of the English Language in students. Being the only English-speaking club in MWTI, it has conducted
numerous activities which include the “Speak Good English
Week”.
SEA was founded in 2003 by then-MWTI students Goh Md Redhuan and Siti Farishah Md Feroz, who also were the Society’s
President and Vice President, respectively. General Paper and
Biology teacher Mr Jeeshan Gulam Rasul acted as the teacherin-charge.
Although SEA was not very active during the years that followed,
early 2008 saw major changes. The Society now includes a new
wing, the SEA Arts Team, so as to bring out the creativity in students, and introduced a Houses approach for its members, so
as to foster stronger bonds between members.
MEDIA CLUB
MWTI publishes an annual magazine, Busyra, which is distributed to the public during the Maulidur Rasul celebrations. This
relatively new club, established under Physics teacher and
teacher-in-charge of publications, Madam Aini Safuan, so as to
train students in the fields of reporting and editing, and to ensure
that the skills they have acquired will be passed on to the next
generation of students. Among other projects which they have
made are newsletters and the 2007 edition of the school yearbook.
IT CLUB
The MWTI IT Club aims to familiarize its members with maintaining and repairing computers, by giving them a hands-on experience to work with the machines. First started as informal sessions for only a few students by then-IT Administrator Mr Remy
Erwan Senin in 2002, the IT Club now has a much bigger membership.
NADIL LUGHAH ARABIAH
NADIL FURQAN
Nadil Furqan aims to instill love and interest in the Holy Quran
in the hearts of its members, carrying the motto of “Membaca, Memahami Serta Menghayati” (Recitation, Understanding
and Appreciation). It was established in 2003 by then-MWTI students Raihana Abdul Aziz and Nurul ‘Izzah Khamsani.
Originally, the club was called Nadi Tahsin, with the sole aim
of improving students’ recitation of the Quran and only a few
female students were selected for membership. Since then, it
has been recruiting more members, including male students.
48
Nadil Lughah Arabiah (the Arabic Language Club) was first established in 2000 as Wihdatul Lughatil Arabiah (the Arabic Language Society), a brainchild of the school’s Arabic Language
Department.
The club aims to instill love and appreciation for the language
of Quran in students, especially its members, true to its vision
of striving to deeply understand the language of the Holy Quran
in order to practise what has been learnt. Among its many activities, Nadi organizes an annual mukhayyam for Secondary 1
students – a camp which aims to enhance their interest in the
Arabic Language.
MWTI Golden Jubilee
6.55am:
Arrived school. Usually at this time, only four or five students
would have arrived. So I consider myself to be one of the early
birds. The assembly hall will be the place where all students
gather every morning to recite prayers together before lessons
commence.
7.05am:
More students start arriving in droves. The school started to be
livelier with students – the air filled with chattering and laughter,
just bustling. A few kids sit quietly on the floor, reading. Some
can also be seen to be furiously memorizing verses at the last
minute. Futile attempt, I think. The pages of their Qurans stick
limply onto their sweaty fingers.
7.10am:
During the school assembly, the school prefect leads the students in reciting the morning prayers and the school’s pledge,
before the students head into their classrooms.
7.30am:
Lessons begin. But before that, as a Pre-U 2 student, I have
to climb up numerous flights of stairs to reach my classroom
which is on the fifth floor. Huge effort as we lug our school
bags together with us. So by the time my classmates and I
reach our classroom, what little energy we might have gotten
from breakfast would have probably been all used up. However
at times, we count ourselves lucky if we did manage to sneak
into the elevator!
9.50am:
The bell for the first recess goes off. I have never failed to be
envious of those students who get the first session of recess.
My stomach – with many other stomachs too – rumbles on for
another half hour.
A DAY IN THE LIFE
OF AN MWTI
STUDENT
11.15am:
We are in Cikgu Masnia’s class when we hear that familiar
sharp roar coming from a distance: a fighter jet flies by our
school heading towards the nearby Paya Lebar Military Airport.
As it gets increasingly louder, the noise deafens us and the
school roof begins to slightly vibrate. We wait for another one or
two jets to fly over us before resuming our lessons.
12.40pm:
The bell signaling the end of school rings. The students in the
morning session pack their bags and leave the classrooms
to get ready for the Zuhr prayer. In the meantime, the primary
school students from the afternoon session make their way
from the assembly hall into the classrooms that we have just
vacated.
12.50pm:
As all of us enter the musolla (which is actually the multipurpose hall), a student or teacher would give a short tazkirah.
Next, we group ourselves into five or six in a halaqah, and
take turns reciting the Holy Quran. Finally, we perform the Zuhr
prayer as a congregation.
10.20am:
Finally, the bell rings for the second session of recess and
we all hurry down towards the canteen, almost racing against
each other. Still, we Pre-U students are always the last in line
because of the location of our classrooms on the fifth floor!
1.30pm onwards:
As much as I would like to go home early, a student’s life is
always occupied with extra classes and activities. Often there
is homework to be done. We usually do our homework in the
school library as not only is it the most conducive place away
from the noise that permeates the whole school in the afternoon, the references that we need for our work can only be
found there too. Usually, I have another meal at the canteen
with my friends before setting off to any activity that awaits us.
10.40am:
Time to return to class. I see some students still at the canteen
stall, buying snacks to munch on discreetly in the classrooms.
5.00pm:
I reach home typically at this time, tired but happy after a long
day at school. And the homework’s done too!
49
Seminar on Madrasah Identity in 2006
Alumni Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah ditubuhkan
pada pertengahan tahun 2003 dengan anggota yang terdiri dari
keluaran dan juga lulusan Madrasah Wak Tanjong, samaada
yang masih atau telah tamat menuntut di universiti-universiti Islam, institut-institut pengajian tempatan mahupun luar negara.
Matlamat asalnya penubuhan alumni ini ialah untuk merapatkan hubungan ukhuwah di kalangan para
pelajar serta membiasakan mereka dengan aktiviti-aktiviti dakwah agar dapat memberikan sumbangan kepada
masyarakat umum serta umat Islam Singapura khususnya.
BADAN ALUMNI MWTI /
MWTI ALUMNI
ASSOCIATION
Program pertama yang dikelolakan oleh Alumni MWTI
ialah Seminar “Akidah Yang Dituntut Islam” dengan jumlah penyertaan seramai 150 orang, pada tahun sama penubuhannya.
Usaha menggandakan bilangan peserta bagi program berikutnya terbukti berhasil dengan penyertaan yang meningkat dari
kalangan masyarakat Islam pada program-program kami saban
tahun. Berikut adalah carta yang menunjukkan pencapaian ini:
TAHUN
PROGRAM
BILANGAN PESERTA
2003
Seminar “Akidah Yang Dituntut Islam”
150
2005
Seminar “Ihya’ Us-Sunnah”
300
2006
Seminar Fiqh “Mazhab Dalam Islam”
400
2007
Seminar Imej Islam
450
Sementara itu banyak lagi program sampingan kan ilmu Allah dan sumbangan berdakwah. Bahkan keluasan
yang diusahakan oleh Alumni MWTI. Diantaranya ialah Fo- dan penguasaan ilmu mereka membolehkan masyarakat Isrum “Gejala Seks Luar Nikah” yang telah diadakan pada lam lebih mudah mengambil manfaat dari apa yang dipelajari.
tahun 2007 dengan kehadiran lebih dari 2,000 orang.
Alumni MWTI mengharapkan sokongan yang padu
Alumni MWTI juga berkesempatan untuk beker- daripada masyarakat Islam dalam menjayakan setiap projasama dengan beberapa badan Islam dalam menjayakan gram agar matlamat kami untuk menyebarkan dakwah ini terbeberapa program lain. Ini termasuk seminar untuk pelajar- laksana dengan jayanya. Semoga Alumni MWTI dapat terus
pelajar madrasah yang bertajuk “Identiti Madrasah” den- bergiat aktif dan memberikan sumbangan yang besar dalam
gan kerjasama Ittihad Mahasiswa Pengajian Islam Singapura pembentukan Muslim yang cemerlang dunia dan akhirat.
(IMPIAN) pada tahun 2006, dan Wacana Syariah “Aadabul
Ikhtilaaf” (Adab-adab Khilaf) dengan kerjasama PERGAS.
Seminar-seminar anjuran alumni ini telah berjaya menarik minat sejumlah masyarakat Islam, terutamanya golongan
muda, dalam mendalami ilmu Allah. Alumni MWTI juga telah
berjaya membawa tokoh-tokoh ilmuan bagi sama-sama membincangkan tajuk dan topik yang dikelolakan, Tokoh-tokoh
tersebut pula memang terkenal dengan usaha mengembang
50
MWTI Golden Jubilee
Seminar Ihya’ Us-Sunnah in 2005
Graduates’ profiles
WHAT MWTI HAS PRODUCED OVER THE YEARS
One would have not expected it, but Nisha Mohd. Rafiq, a 20-yearold former student of MWTI, realised that her passion lies in Medicine after
watching endless Korean medical dramas and the local “First Touch”.
“I always get excited looking at doctors doing stuff,” said the recent
graduate of Temasek Applied Science School. So much so that she admitted
it has been her “long time dream” to become a doctor since her days as a
student at MWTI. Though she did not take Biology as a GCE ‘O’ Level subject,
her interest in Medicine never waned. Determined to fulfil her dreams, she took
a Diploma in Biomedical Science at Temasek Polytechnic (TP). Though she
noted that a junior college education would be a typical choice, she made her
choice based on two reasons: firstly, she would prefer to continue wearing
her tudung while in school. Secondly, she thinks that the poly route is a better
Name: Nisha Bte Mohd. Rafiq
choice for “people who know what they want (to do).”
Before entering polytechnic, she already had a long term aim which
is to read medicine at the National University of Singapore. In order to do this,
she made a concrete promise to herself to be the top graduate of her cohort
and to maintain her grades, so as to be able to achieve her varsity dreams upon
graduating from TP. With her diligence and her constant faith in God, the promise came true. Not only did she, as the only madrasah student in her cohort,
topped her class with a GPA of 3.81 receiving the Gold Award, she was also
named as an “Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) Promising
Young Researcher Award in 2007” during her attachment as a lab technician.
Graduated from MWTI: 2004, with GCE ‘O’ Levels and PSTE
Subsequent education: Graduating this year with a Diploma in
Biomedical Science, Temasek Polytechnic
Currently: She is working as a temporary research staff at the
Institute of Bioengineering and Technology while awaiting university
application results.
Name: Siti Arfah Bte Nordin
The work that she did during her stint as a Young Researcher, she
explained to the writer using lay man’s terms, was to find a cure for cancer. It
was evident that she was truly passionate about gene delivery and cationic
polymers, among other things, from the excited way that she talked about
them. Now awaiting her university application results, she shared with the writer
her ultimate aim which is to be a clinician-scientist. “I can practice medicine,
and also at the same time (be able to do) research,” she said, citing her mother,
MWTI Maths and English teacher Madam Nishani Abdullah as her role model.
“InsyaAllah, I can achieve it!” she added.
Graduated from MWTI: GCE ‘O’
Levels (2005)
Subsequent education: Currently
taking Diploma in Culinary Skills,
Shatec Singapore
Special mention: Hopes to be a chef
in a restaurant or hospital
We wish you all the best, Nisha! Our prayers are with you.
Sweet memories in MWTI: Good
memories during the school Sports
Day, Teachers’ Day celebrations and
the examination period!
Wishes for MWTI: “May the students
achieve happiness always!”
Name: Muhd Farhi Bin Muhd
Name: Muliani Ideris
Graduated from MWTI: GCE ‘O’ Levels and PSTE (2001),GCE ‘A’
Levels and Syahadah Thanawiah ‘Aliyah (2003)
Subsequent education: Pass with Honours (with
Distinction) Syariah and Law (Major)
Currently: Teaching in MWTI
Sweet memories in MWTI: “Pertama kali berbahas dan mewakili madrasah dalam Bahas 4PM tahun 2003.”
Wishes for MWTI: “Hidup Madrasah Wak Tanjong!!”
Abd Mubin
Graduated from MWTI:
GCE ‘O’ Levels and PSTE
(2003), GCE ‘A’ Levels and
Syahadah Thanawiah ‘Aliyah
(2006)
Subsequent education: Currently taking a University of London
programme in BSc in Economics and Management at Singapore Institute of Management (SIM). He is also recently active in
dragon boat activities.
Sweet memories in MWTI: Ultimate sportsman at the
Inter-Madrasah Games: Won Gold for football, badminton,
400m sprint and 4 x 400m sprint, and Silver for sepak takraw.
51
Name: Wardah Ismail
Name: Muhd Ridhwan Bin Basor
Graduated from MWTI: GCE ‘O’ Levels
and Syahadah (2005)
Graduated from MWTI: GCE ‘A’ Levels and Syahadah Thanawiyah
‘Aliyah (2004)
Subsequent education: Currently a first
year student taking BA in Da’wah Al-Islamiah in Abu Nour University, Damascus,
Syria
Subsequent education: Currently a 4th year student taking BA in
Political Science in NUS, he is also vocal in giving his opinions on current affairs and was active in the NUS Muslim Society.
Special mention: Formerly from Madrasah Al-Irsyad Al-Islamiah, Ridhwan spent two years in MWTI as a Pre-U student.
Special mention: to gain islamic knowledge in the blessed land of the Prophets
and scholars.
Sweet memories in MWTI: Became the president of the MWTI
Student Council (ITMAWAT) even though he was then a new student.
To date, he believes it was the best student council that he had ever
worked with.
Wishes for MWTI: “I will always pray for
the madrasah to continue producing syar’ie
students with deep Islamic knowledge and
good muslim akhlaq (manners). May Allah
bless all the teachers and students now
and in the Hereafter.”
Name: Hanna Taufiq Siraj
Graduated from MWTI: GCE ‘A’ Levels and Syahadah Thanawiah
‘Aliyah (2002)
Name: Ahmad Hafiz Bin Ismail
Subsequent education: BHSc. in Political Science (1st Class
Honours) at the International Islamic University Malaysia
Currently: Pursuing an MSc in International Studies at the Faculty of
Arts and Social Science, NUS, under the Muis Postgraduate Scholarship
Special mention: Formerly from Madrasah Al-Sagoff Al-Arabiah,
Hanna spent two years in MWTI as a Pre-U student.
Sweet memories in MWTI: “One of the biggest fond memories that
stood out was organising the Leadership Camp in 2002. It was tiring
and challenging, there were fights abound, but all of us enjoyed every
minute of it and we all came out closer in the end (considering the fact
that our class was a melting pot of different madrasah students). Plus,
the camp was a huge success.”
Wishes for MWTI: “My hopes and wishes for MWTI is that it
continues to be student-oriented in that it tries to educate the student
not just in academics but in nurturing talent and soft skills. I remember
overcoming my stage fright because I was pushed by MWTI teachers
to speak in public and to enter inter-class debate competitions. So to
me this was something I will always be grateful for.”
Graduated from MWTI: 2001,
with GCE ‘O’ Levels and PSTE
Subsequent education: Diploma
in Multimedia, Singapore
Polytechnic (SP), in which he
earned 17 distinctions during the
course of his studies
Currently: 2nd year BSc
Engineering student majoring in
Computer Science at Nanyang
Technological University (NTU)
Sweet memories in MWTI:
During a Nahu (Arabic Grammar)
lesson, Ustaz Sabahuddin gave
a hard tap on Hafiz’s songkok,
which in effect pushed the songkok down to his eyes. The whole
class thought it was funny.
He also remembers fondly of
hanging around the small school
pond with his classmates.
Wishes for MWTI: “May MWTI
reach the next hundred years,
and more good years to come!”
Name: Zulaikha Bte Ishak
Graduated from MWTI: 2001, with GCE ‘O’ Levels and PSTE (1999), GCE ‘A’ Levels (2001)
Subsequent education: BA in Usuluddin (Theology) and Philosophy at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (“minat dalam aqidah dan pemikiran logik”)
Currently: Principal in four eastern branches of Andalus Tuition Centre
Sweet memories in MWTI: “Pengalaman belajar di MWTI; sistem MWTI merupakan tradisi dan pengalaman yang mematangkan untuk destinasi yang masih jauh. Juga kenangan menjadi ahli Perbayu dan
menganjurkan Muslimah Night yang mempunyai dikir barat, aksi teater dan pertunjukan yang lain.”
Wishes for MWTI: “Madrasah akan terus melakukan perubahan. Seperti sekarang ada sukan intermadrasah yang menyatukan semua madrasah di Singapura. Harapan saya ialah supaya semua madrasah ada kesatuan, setiap pelajar ada peningkatan, dan bukan sahaja untuk dalaman tetapi juga untuk
meneruskan hidup.”
52
MWTI Golden Jubilee
Name: Faeza Abdurazak
Graduated from MWTI: GCE ‘A’ Levels and STU (2000)
Subsequent education: BA (Hons) in Arabic Language and
Literature, International Islamic University Malaysia
Currently: She is working as a research analyst at the International
Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism, S Rajaratnam School of
Internationl Studies (RSIS). Before, she worked in a publishing company, Iqra’, as Curriculum Development Officer till 2006.
Special mention: Formerly from Madrasah Al-Sagoff Al-Arabiah,
Faeza spent two years in MWTI as a Pre-U student. She hopes to do
her Masters in RSIS next year.
Name: Mohamad Khidir Bin
Abdul Rahman
Levels and PSTE (1999), GCE ‘A’
Levels (2000)
Subsequent education: Initially
Khidir studied in Makkah at the
Ummul Qura University for six
months. After which he
transferred to Madinah University
for his BA in Hadith.
Currently: Upon returning to
Singapore from his studies, he
worked as an Executive Imam at
Al-Iman Mosque. Currently, he is
an executive in the Youth
Education Strategic Unit at the
Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis).
Sweet memories in MWTI: He
recalls fondly of ”berebut-rebut
beli makanan di kantin semasa
waktu rehat”. Also, he had to
do “ketuk-ketampi” in Arabic as
a punishment meted out by the
principal.
Wishes for MWTI: “Semoga MWTI selalu menjadi sebuah madrasah
yang ingin memperbaiki diri sendiri”.
Name: Nurul ‘Izzah Binti Khamsani
Graduated from MWTI: GCE ‘O’ Levels and PSTE (2001), GCE ‘A’
Levels and Syahadah Thanawiyah ‘Aliyah (2003)
Subsequent education: Currently a final year student pursuing BA in
Usuluddin (Islamic Theology) majoring in Theology and Philosophy at
the Al-Azhar University in Egypt.
Currently: Waiting for her final year university result, Insyallah she will
be contributing to Jamiyah Rabitah Mosque to serve her bond there
as she was a recipient of the Muis Ross Scholarship.
Special mention: Nurul ‘Izzah led an active student life. She participated in many activities both within and out of school. Besides being
a prefect and a founder of the Kelab Tahsin Al-Quran, she was also a
member of the school debate team and quite frequently represented
MWTI in Al-Quran recitation competitions, public speaking and religious sermon competitions.
Following her footsteps are her siblings, students of MWTI as well as
other madrasahs, in entering and representing their madrasah years
are full of sweet memories.”
Wishes for MWTI: “May this madrasah continue to be one the best
madrasahs that produce quality students who are able to contribute
to the society and the world. MWTI has help me and many others
to develop our potentials. May Allah bless this madrasah. Long live
MWTI!”
Name: Masaini Bte Isnin
Levels and PSTE (2001), GCE ‘A’
Levels and Syahadah Thanawiyah ‘Aliyah (2003)
Subsequent education: BA in
Syari’ah (Islamic Law) at the
University Brunei Darussalam
Currently: Applying for Masters
Special mention: School prefect
for 1998 - 2000 and 2002
Sweet memories in MWTI:
- One-fifth of the MWTI debate
team which won the Berita Harian
trophy in 2000
- Named best debater during the
4PM debate tournament in 2003
- Represented Singapore for the
Titian Minda Singapore-Brunei
debate match
Wishes for MWTI: “MWTI will
always keep producing good
scholars that benefits the society,
family and the world. Hoping that
MWTI will be the first integrated
Islamic University in Singapore.”
Name: Hazami Binti Hamidon
Graduated from MWTI: 2005, with GCE ‘O’ Levels
Subsequent education: Currently a 3rd year student in Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) taking Diploma
in Visual Communications, she is soon to major in Publication with Illustration. She is also one of the founding
members of the NAFA Photography Club.
Special mention: Most of the design work in this magazine is done by Hazami. She was the designer for the
annual school magazine, Busyra for 2005 and 2006 as well, and was a member of the Kelab Tahsin Al-Quran.
Sweet memories in MWTI: “Being in MWTI has equipped me with valuable skills that cannot be learned in
classrooms. For example, the marketing skills that I picked up from the various fundraisings that the school organised, especially the selling of dates at mosques during Ramadhan, and also the designing and editing skills
that I learnt from the work that I did for the school magazine. I am eternally grateful for the responsibilities and
trust the school gave to its students that encouraged me to become more outgoing.”
53
Name: Saiful Alam Shah Bin Sudiman
Graduated from MWTI: GCE ‘O’ Levels (1991)
Subsequent education:
- 1993-1995 Pre-university in Madrasah Aljunied
- 1997-2003 BA in Usuluddin (Theology), Al-Azhar University, Egypt
- 2007 Diploma and Master in Counseling Psychology
- Currently doing a Masters in Counseling at Monash University
Name: Musyarrafah Binti Hamidon
Graduated from MWTI: GCE ‘O’ Levels and PSTE (2003)
Subsequent education: Graduated from the Kolej Universiti Islam
Antarabangsa Islam Selangor (KUIS – formerly known as KISDAR),
Diploma in Syari’ah, where she was awarded Best Syari’ah Student
(2006/07).
Currently: A 2nd year student at the Universiti Malaya (UM) in BA
Syari’ah, majoring in Syari’ah and Economics.
Sweet memories in MWTI: “Apabila saya berada di Darjah 3, saya
dan rakan-rakan yang lain pernah bersembunyi di dalam tandas untuk
melarikan diri dari dirotan mudir.”
Currently: He is a:
- Da’wah Executive at Kassim Mosque
- Appointed Naib Kadi since 2005
- Appointed MCYS family educator/trainer for marriage preparation course
- Family counsellor
- Member of Religious Rehabilitation Group
Special mention: Has two younger brothers who were also schooled at MWTI
and Al-Azhar University. Muhd Fairuz Shah and Muhd Irwan Shah are both are
working in mosques as well. Fairuz is a Youth Development Officer at Al-Ansar
Mosque, and Irwan is an Executive Officer for Programmes at Darul Ghufran
Mosque.
Sweet memories in MWTI: At 13, he represented the madrasah at the
Syarahan Competition organised by Pergas and won.
Name: Imamuddin Bin Abdul Aziz
“Saya tak akan lupa lawak Ustaz Supendi semasa di dalam kelas
yang boleh sampai pecah perut!”
Level and PSTE (2000)
Wishes for MWTI: “Saya sangat bersyukur belajar di MWTI, kerana
dengan ilmu yang saya perolehi di sini, ia mendorong saya ke tahap
yang saya berada sekarang.”
Graduated from MWTI: Madrasah Ad-Diniyyah Al-Islamiah (1963)
Subsequent education: Took his
GCE ‘A’ Levels at a private college under the International Islamic
University, Malaysia, while at the same
time taking a Diploma in Tahfiz at Kolej
Marsah, in Johore.
Subsequent education: Sekolah Tinggi Arab Maahad Johor (1964
– 1967), took her GCE ‘A’ Levels as a private candidate in 1990 and
graduated with a Certificate in Islamic Studies from Universiti Teknology Malaysia in 1994
He then proceeded to learn Islamic
medicine and Islamic spiritual healing
with famed healer Ustaz Dato’ Dr
Haron Din in Bangi, Malaysia.
Name: Siti Mariam Bte Raub
Currently: Ustazah Siti Mariam is a well-known religious personality
in the Malay Muslim community, whose contributions stretch back
since 1967. She is also a manager of My Tutor Agency since 2004.
Currently: He is the founder and owner of his clinic, Prophetic Medical
Centre, in Malay Village, offering various treatments, including natural care
treatment. He also owns a reflexology clinic in Johore, and plans to expand
his business by opening another branch of his clinic.
Special mention: Ustazah Siti Mariam began studying in MWTI
before the school changed to its present name.
Sweet memories in MWTI: “Kenangan yang tak dapat dilupakan
ialah waktu saya hendak melanjutkan pelajaran, Almarhum ayah tak
mengizinkan. Saya merayu-rayu dan menangis siang malam, namun
tetap tak diizinkan. Alasan beliau, orang perempuan tinggi-tinggi
belajar pun masuk dapur. Lagi pun, ramai kawan-kawan yang
sudah berumahtangga. Ayah kata, saya sudah “ada orang hendak”,
jadi kahwin sudah.
Akhirnya saya minta pertolongan Mudir dan kita berjumpa. Saya bersyukur kerana Mudir berjaya memujuk ayah dan dia akhirnya izinkan
saya melanjutkan pelajaran.”
Wishes for MWTI: “Harapan dan doa saya semoga MWTI terus
berjaya melahirkan para pelajar cemerlang dan dapat membangun
ummah
demi syi’ar Islam yang mulia.”
54
MWTI Golden Jubilee
Name: Haseenah Bte Md Yusoff
Graduated from MWTI: GCE ‘O’ Levels
(2005)
Subsequent education: Currently taking
Diploma in Structural and Environmental
Engineering, Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Special mention: Haseenah scored a total
of 11 points during her GCE ‘O’ Levels and
insisted on taking the above-mentioned
course due to her passion in the subject.
She is the only Malay Muslim student in her
cohort. She hopes to further her education
in NUS.
The Transition from
Madrasah to a Mainstream
University
By Zeenath Jaleel
I remember I wrote an article for this school in
1999, entitled “Can madrasah students fit into the Singapore society in the long term?” By now, I believe I have a
definite answer to that question, based on the anecdote
of my own life experience after graduating from madrasah.
It has been 8 years since I graduated from MWTI
but the memories I had as a student remain etched in
my memories. I had spent a total of 11 years as a student of MWTI, from Primary 1 all the way till I completed my Sijil Tinggi Ugama (STU), a certificate awarded by
the Islamic Council of Kelantan which enabled students
to pursue studies in one of the most established Islamic
University, Al-Azhar, in Cairo. My childhood and teenage
years were spent in what I would consider an Islamic environment. I had mostly Malay Muslim friends, had easy
access to halal food in school, did noon prayers with a
large group of people everyday, refrained from mixing too
freely with the members of the opposite gender and rarely
heard ‘swear words’ being used by the people around me.
I took a road less traveled by madrasah students then, by enrolling into a mainstream university, the
Singapore Management University (SMU), after completing my A-Levels. I was in for a major change in my
life. Imagine the culture shock I experienced! The transition from being in an all-Muslim environment to truly
experiencing the multi-cultural society our Singapore
brags about is not an easy feat. It all began from orientation camp in July 2004, before my first semester.
The first thing I had to change about myself was my
name. Instead of introducing myself as Zeenath, I had to
abbreviate it to just Zee, as some of the non-Muslims had
difficulty pronouncing my full name properly. During
meals, I always had to check if the food
were halal or otherwise. I also had to seek special
permission to be excluded from activities which involved physical contact with guys, to take ten
minutes off to rush and do my prayers somewhere
in some corner of the school and to sleep separately from my group mates as the girls
and guys were all put together in one room.
Among the things that caught me off guard,
first of all, were the barrage of swear words used
so loosely by most people. I was also flabbergasted to know the students gambled during their free and
easy time after the formal activities ended. They did
not use cash, but made the losers go through terrible
forfeit treatments (e.g. drink 5 cups of excessively diluted milo each time you lose). Apart from that, some students who owned cars drove out of school to get cans
of beer from convenience stores nearby. I observed how
someone got drunk and started behaving very oddly.
At that point, I wondered what I had put myself
into and how I was going to survive mixing with the kinds
of people I seldom got in contact with prior to this. I was
uncertain if I had taken the wrong path. If I had emulated
my friends to be either in Malaysia or the Middle East to
pursue Islamic studies, things would have been different.
What made me feel differently following that
doubt was when I bonded with the new friends I made
and they started enquiring about where I was from before joining SMU. When I told them I was from madrasah, some of them went “Huh? What’s that?” while
some others asked me how different the madrasah
education as compared to mainstream education.
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Since then, I felt that I was an ambassador of
Islam. I was meant to be here to help fill in the gaps of
ignorance about my religion whilst at the same time,
proving to myself that although I was from madrasah, I can adapt to survive in a different surrounding.
What was important was that I was still able to distinct
myself from the others as someone who stands firm in
her faith despite the various influences and adversities.
I was involved with a lot of activities in my four years
in SMU. In first year, I joined the SMU Women Soccer club,
the SMU Peer Helpers and did community service with
Children’s Cancer Foundation and the Children’s Society.
I played soccer with my tudung and I continued training
even when fasting during Ramadhan. The usual question I
get from others are “Don’t you feel hot dressing like that?”
or “How do you survive without food and water, fasting
all day?” I would simply say, “I am used to it,” and smile.
In my second year, I helped to organise a large
scale all-girls soccer event, Diva La Futbol III as a vicechairperson, involving over 30 teams. In my third year, I
was appointed as IT coordinator in my Peer Helping
group and during the school holidays in summer, I went
to Hyderabad, India to do an internship. I was in Hyderabad from 7th May 2007 till 21st July 2007. When I returned, I received a Silver Award as part of the SMU Internship Awards for having received a good appraisal
from my supervisor in the company that I interned with.
In mid-April this year, I went to the Middle East for a
Business Study Mission (BSM) to UAE & Bahrain for 8 days.
Following that, I stayed on in Dubai to do another overseas
internship with Gulf Research Center until August 5th. For
the BSM module, I had taught some of my classmates a few
simple Arabic phrases and together with four other Muslim
students, compiled a brochure on the basic facts of Islam.
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“Since then, I felt
that I was an
ambassador of
Islam.”
My achievements thus far would not have been
possible without the relevant experiences I had in my earlier years which included my madrasah education. I attribute
my perseverance to the fact that my educators in madrasah encouraged me to explore options when I decided not
to adhere the usual path madrasah students then took.
They genuinely shared my pride and joy when I successfully gained admission to SMU. They had also instilled in me
the importance of seeking knowledge and told me to look
at education holistically rather than distinguishing between
religious and secular studies. They taught me to seek guidance from Allah whenever I am stuck between crossroads.
As a result, although it is difficult at times, I am able to
strike a balance between my religious and moral values.
By now I believe that madrasah students can fit
into the Singapore society more so because they are inculcated with good moral values. I would like to urge more
madrasah students to believe in themselves and strive
for their future: simply for the betterment of themselves.
MWTI Golden Jubilee
Regret Never Comes After
Istikhaarah
the Prophet and of the Great Messenger himself. These narrations reflect high moral standards. In these they have examples
of real life situations that portray praiseworthy characters like patience, gratefulness, tolerance, courtesy, filial piety, sincerity and
truthfulness – characters that are wanting in today’s world. By Safiaton Alias
Finally, I looked at the aspect of spiritual development. This
aspect is not only learned in a Madrasah, it is practiced! Congregational prayers and the recitation of the Quran are daily practices.
The salaam (greeting of peace) is given and answered by
all. Well, this was like being included in one another’s prayers all the
time. The remembrance of Allah, obedience to Him and the sending
of salutations to the prophet are like second nature to the children.
All praises are only to the Almighty for having shown me the right school for my children.
Considering the criteria that I have drawn for the school
my children will study in, I come to think that the Madrasah is the
only place that will be suitable for them. It seems to offer everything that I want for my children. The initial research I did as part of
my homework regarding the suitability of Madrasahs took me into
many aspects of life and some healthy debates with well-wishers.
The
first
step
form the Istikhaarah (the
I
took
was
prayer to seek
to
perguidance).
Next, I began to carefully consider how well the Madrasah could fill and stretch my children’s intellectual capacity. Madrasahs now not only offer a similar range of academic
subjects as those offered in mainstream schools, they also
offer other subjects like religious sciences and a third language, Arabic – talk about stretching the intellectual capacity!
Following that, I looked at how Madrasahs inculcate character development. Having taught in mainstream
schools and Madrasahs, I noticed that the Madrasah offers a more wholesome opportunity for character development. Students and teachers have excellent rapport and the
spirit of camaraderie, if not brotherhood, is so evident among
the students. Sessions where senior students voluntarily
help their younger schoolmates in their studies are commonplace. Stage productions often involve students across levels
and the best part is the warm address given to one another.
In a Madrasah, everyone is a ‘kakak’, ‘abang’ or
‘adik’(sister or brother). This is an emotional bond that can inculcate a sense of belonging and self worth. The teachers
and students are like one huge happy family - each not only
knowing, but also truly caring for the other. This aspect of
brotherhood instills loyalty to the school and the religion, and
in time, this unbreakable spirit of love and care will extend
to their future families, career and the society. Insha Allah.
Still on the aspect of character development, Madrasah students get a daily dose of stories of the Companions of
As I have mentioned earlier, I was involved in a few
healthy debates with some well-wishers. The concern was
mostly regarding the lack of trained teachers, funds and learning
facilities in a Madrasah. I cannot argue against these points, let
alone defend my intention in putting my children in a Madrasah.
So, I did the best thing possible at that time. I agreed. However,
I also maintained that realizing these shortcomings on the part
of the Madrasah, I could better equip my children and myself in
striving towards excellence. After all, shortcomings are meant
to be overcome. And, on the part of the Madrasahs, overcome
they did, as can be seen today in the vigorous teacher training programs, fund raising activities and equipping the Madrasahs with state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities. The
Madrasahs has done nothing that falls short of these with support from MUIS and the Muslim community. Praise be to Allah.
At ground level, through my involvement in a few madrasahs, I noticed that these very weaknesses are the driving
force behind the success of Madrasah students. Though some
may argue that successful Madrasah students can be numbered, none can deny that the fingers will no longer be enough
to count them. Many students I have met and known have the
‘never say die’ attitude. They are industrious, sincere and ever
willing to learn. I hope my children will be like them too. Ameen.
Today, all my five children are in or were students of
Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah. They have been inculcated with strong moral values. Their friends are wonderful sisters
and brothers. Their teachers are mentors. The experience they
had or are having in the Madrasah has shaped their perspective in life. Above all, the experience of memorizing the words
of Allah and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) and
understanding them are, and will always be the best experience. This is hardly surprising as Allah the Almighty has said:
“And
the
word
of
Allah,
that
is
the
Supreme
(highest)”
(At-Taubah:
40)
I have seen, first hand, how regret never comes after Istikhaarah. All Praises are only for Allah, Sustainer of the worlds.
Madam Safiaton is a mother of five daughters, all of whom graduated
or are still studying in MWTI.
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with our hearts and our hands - Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al Islamiah

Transcription

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