MAJALAH AL-HIKMAH EDISI 02 | 2014

53 Could you share your educational background with us? Yeah, my pleasure. I attended elementary and secondary school in my village, and I began pursu- ing my Bachelor degree in Islamic studies n Jamiah Naleemiah, a private Islamic Institute in Sri Lanka, I graduated in 1994, while I received my second degree in iEconomics and Islamic studies from a government university, University Of Peradeniya. I have earned a Master's Degree in Com- parative Religion at the Interna- tional Islamic University Islama- bad (IIUI), Pakistan in 2001. As for my PhD, I received it in Comparative Religion in 2013 from the faculty of Islamic Re- vealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia(IIUM). Would you like to elaborate on your experiences during your PG studies ? Yeah, sure. My experiences during post graduate studies in Pakistan and Malaysia are quiet interest- ing. Living overseas has strongly shaped my knowledge of societies, character, ambitions, and work ethics. The opportunities I have had while living overseas and my exposure to other cultures through education and travel have developed my unique out- look on life. When did you start to work at USIM? I started to work in USIM as a lecturer in 2014. Please tell us about your re- search experience and publica- tions? I have published and reviewed re- search articles and essays in jour- nals, newspapers and magazines on Comparative Religion, Inter- faith dialogue and Muslims-Non Muslims relationship. My book on Hindu Philosophy of Karma in Islamic Perspective in Arabic is going to be published by USIM soon, Insha Allah. How is life in Malaysia? Well, life in Malaysia is an amaz- ing experience. Malaysia is a won- derful country and a beautiful place with variety of cultures. It is a great place to live in. A vast and rich cultural background makes Malaysia the most ethnically diverse country in Asia. It’s one of the most multicul- tural countries in the world where Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and all the other ethnicities coexist peacefully with mutual respect for each other. Malaysians are very friendly people including students and lectur- ers over here. What do you like to say to your students of Aqeedah? Make your education a top priori- ty. We can't expect success in our life especially in education without dedication and sacrifice. Meanwhile, we can't always be successful in everything we under- take. You might face challenges that might be too much for you to bear (at the time), but don't give up. Success and failure are parts of our lives. In fact, failure is, some- times, part of success as it teaches how to be successful. What is im- portant is how wisely we deal with success and how courageously we face failure. What advice would you like to give them? As students of Aqeedah , it is ad- visable for you to develop a regu- lar reading habit. Reading more on Aqeedah and religions will help you to develop an overview of key themes and issues, and get a strong background in your subject area. May Allah (swt) ease all our endeavors!