WEEK 13–14: Preparation and Participation in the 9th Usrah in Action Symposium✨💪🏻🏅

Discussion and Preparation

The final weeks of the semester were dedicated to preparing for the 9th Usrah in Action Symposium 2026, where every group was required to showcase the outcomes of their community engagement projects. Our team held several discussions to plan the exhibition, assign responsibilities, and ensure that every aspect of our booth was well prepared before the symposium.

During these meetings, we discussed the booth layout, presentation materials, decorations, interactive elements, and the overall concept that would best represent our collaboration with Maahad Riyadus Salihin (MRS), West Java, Indonesia. Every team member was assigned specific responsibilities according to their strengths and expertise, allowing us to work more efficiently as a team.

My main contribution during the preparation stage was decorating the exhibition booth. Since I have experience and a strong interest in Arabic calligraphy (Khat), I used this skill to design several handwritten calligraphy pieces as part of our booth decoration. I wanted the booth to reflect the Islamic identity of Maahad Riyadus Salihin while creating an attractive and welcoming atmosphere for visitors. Being able to contribute through my passion for calligraphy made me feel that I was adding a personal touch to our project rather than simply completing an assigned task.

Besides decorating the booth, I also participated in the discussions, assisted with the booth setup, and supported my teammates in making sure everything was ready before the exhibition.

Execution of the Symposium

On 12 June 2026, our team participated in the 9th Usrah in Action Symposium held at Coliseum, Kulliyyah of Engineering, IIUM Gombak. The symposium brought together all project groups to present the outcomes of their community engagement initiatives to lecturers, evaluators, students, and visitors.

Our booth showcased the collaborative projects carried out with Maahad Riyadus Salihin (MRS), including the One-Hour Online Motivational Talk, the official MRS website, the Visitor Management Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), and the construction documentation and reporting system. Throughout the exhibition, we welcomed visitors, explained our projects, answered questions, and shared our experiences working together with the MRS community.

One of the highlights of our participation was the presentation delivered by Sr. Nazatul and Br. Hakimi, who represented our team with confidence and professionalism. Their clear explanations, engaging delivery, and ability to respond to the evaluators' and visitors' questions greatly contributed to the success of our presentation. Their dedication and thorough preparation helped showcase the impact of our project effectively and left a positive impression on the audience.

The symposium provided an excellent platform for us to exchange ideas, receive feedback, and demonstrate how community engagement can create meaningful and sustainable impact. It was rewarding to see visitors showing genuine interest in our project and appreciating the efforts made by every team throughout the semester.

Achievement

One of the most memorable moments of the symposium was the announcement of the competition results. Alhamdulillah, our project was awarded the Silver Prize, a recognition that reflected the dedication, commitment, and teamwork demonstrated by everyone involved throughout the semester.

Receiving this award was a proud achievement for our entire class. Although the recognition was meaningful, I believe that the greatest achievement was the opportunity to serve the MRS community, strengthen our collaboration, and apply what we had learned in the classroom to real-life community engagement. The experience and lessons gained throughout this journey are far more valuable than the award itself.

My Personal Reflection

The symposium was the perfect ending to our Usrah in Action II journey. Looking back, I am grateful for everything we experienced throughout the semester, from planning and discussions to implementing our programmes and finally presenting our achievements.

One of my favourite contributions was decorating our booth using Arabic calligraphy (Khat). Since calligraphy is one of my interests, I was happy to use my skills to make our booth more attractive while reflecting the Islamic identity of Maahad Riyadus Salihin. It was a small contribution, but it made me feel proud to be part of the team's success.

This project also taught me many valuable lessons about leadership, teamwork, communication, and responsibility. As the leader of Team 8, I learned that achieving success requires trust, cooperation, and mutual support from every team member. Everyone played an important role, and our success would not have been possible without working together.

Receiving the Silver Prize was a wonderful achievement, but the greatest reward was the experience itself. Throughout this journey, I gained new knowledge, built meaningful friendships, and learned how community engagement can create a positive impact on others. I will always remember this experience as one of the most valuable parts of my university life.

Feedback from Dr. Rakhmad

Following the symposium, Dr. Rakhmad Agung Hidayatullah, representing Maahad Riyadus Salihin (MRS), expressed his appreciation for the successful organization of the event. He commented that the symposium was well planned, well managed, and conducted smoothly according to the programme schedule. He also praised the teamwork and commitment shown by all the committee members, noting that the symposium effectively introduced the vision, programmes, and community initiatives of MRS to a wider audience.

At the same time, he shared several constructive suggestions for future improvements. These included improving time management during the programme, promoting the event earlier through social media and official platforms, organizing documentation more systematically, and providing more interactive sessions to encourage greater participant engagement. Overall, he regarded the symposium as a successful event and hoped that the experience would become a valuable foundation for organizing future community programmes.

A Special Note of Appreciation

As I come to the end of this Usrah in Action II (SCSH 3164) journey, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who made this meaningful experience possible.

First and foremost, I would like to thank my teammates, Sr. Asma Mardiah, Br. Ahmad Shamueel, and Sr. Nurul Syuhada. It was truly an honour to work alongside each of you throughout the semester. Your dedication, commitment, ideas, and continuous support made our work much easier, and I am grateful for the teamwork and friendship we built together.

I would also like to extend my appreciation to all the members of the other seven teams. Although we were assigned different responsibilities, we always worked together with the same goal of serving the community of Maahad Riyadus Salihin. Your cooperation, willingness to help, and team spirit were essential to the success of every programme and activity throughout the semester.

My heartfelt gratitude goes to Prof. Suhaimi, our instructor, for his invaluable guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support throughout this course. Thank you for believing in us, constantly motivating us, and giving us the opportunity to learn through real community engagement. Your guidance has helped us grow not only as students but also as future leaders and members of society.

I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to Dr. Rakhmad Agung Hidayatullah and the management of Maahad Riyadus Salihin (MRS), West Java, Indonesia, for their warm collaboration, trust, and continuous support throughout this project. Working together with the MRS community has been an unforgettable and meaningful experience.

Finally, Alhamdulillah, all praise is due to Allah SWT for granting us the strength, patience, and opportunity to complete this journey successfully. I pray that every effort we made throughout this semester is accepted as an act of worship and becomes beneficial knowledge for ourselves and for the community.

Thank you to everyone who was part of this unforgettable journey. May Allah reward all of you with abundant goodness and blessings.