What & Why IIF?

INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC FAIR 2008 WHAT & WHY

1.  HUMANITY IN TURMOIL, UMMAH IN CRISIS

If, like us, you do not approve of the present condition of the ummah, nor accept the plight of humanity, have a desire to see major changes taking place, and are in the position (having the time, skill or resources) to DO something about it, please read on…

Human civilisation, after centuries of going down the route counter to Divine guidance, is beginning to crumble as it eventually must. And more and more, it is looking like the Muslim world is all set to be at the bottom of the heap! No question, the Muslim ummah is in crisis and if it was a ship, slowly but unmistakably, sinking. Issues in the Muslim world include self imposed ‘immobilities’: inability to differentiate between Guidance and habits, inaccurate assessment & evaluation of situations, value crisis, indecision, inertia, fear of failure, holier/smarter-than-thou attitude, personal/group inferiority complex, lacking social responsibility & accountability, insensitivity to social issues, lack of openness, poor teamwork, lack of drive, social & political deprivation, lack of education, poverty, poor response to external challenges. The externally imposed issues of course include deliberate disinformation about Islam by the world’s mainstream media, oppression and occupation.

Already, much of the Muslim world is under siege – Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq and others. But why? Some will say it is because we as Muslims have not lived Islam fully. Others may say it’s because we have not been fulfilling our responsibility as Khalifah of Allah on earth. The more ‘down to earth’ and ‘modern’ among us will probably say it’s all because we as a people, had not been and still are not working hard enough to improve ourselves – knowledge wise and economically. Whichever reason one subscribes to, the ‘common denominator’ seems to be that our ‘sin’ (both real and metaphorical) lies in our inaction and laid back attitude with respect to important matters of our own wellbeing and survival.

We hardly ever hear of Muslim groups jointly embarking upon serious win-win business and social programs. Some would make half an effort and then call it quit. Some Muslim individuals and groups with plentiful resources and good intention, would spend generous amounts financing new mosques, but would never think about setting up or supporting a Muslim view newspaper, magazine, or radio/TV station to help counter disinformation about Islam and Muslims. We have become a people who do not believe in solving our problems, in spite of the Qur’an telling us that Allah will not change the lot of a people until they make an effort to change it themselves. Perhaps, we have deteriorated to the point we no longer believe we can help ourselves or change anything!

Yet, change we must, if we do not want to go down the path of the Red Indians of North America or the aborigines of Australia. All the money in the world – which no doubt we have plenty of, will be of no use to us if we do not join hands now and embark upon a comprehensive and real ‘recovery’ plan. It is not difficult and will cost us an infinitesimally small fraction of what we spend on ‘mega’ oil & gas projects. But we do have to work together! No one person, group of people or even country can do it alone. Key words are people-to-people and business-to-business networking and cooperation.

We need to work together in all important aspects of life, especially but not just economics aspect – locally, regionally and internationally. Some governments in the Muslim world – including the Saudi Arabian, the United Arab Emirates, and the Malaysian governments, have done well to put in place various administrative, economic, business/trade, and legal infrastructures that benefit the people. But governments can only do so much (and they do change over time) – the rest is really up to the people – you and I, to help get the ummah out of its current predicaments.

(Refer to “IIF Rationale” and visit our www.iif4ummah.com website)

2.  INTRODUCING THE INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC FAIR

There is a dire need for a people-to-people contact and cooperation among the global Muslim communities in order to truly and efficiently mobilize the ummah on the intellectual, social and economic fronts.  But in today’s borderless world, whether we like it or not, ‘minding our own business’ policy will not solve our problem. In fact, this attitude is a factor contributing to our current situation. We also need to embark on ‘bridge-building’ with other “good people of the world” in an effort to improve human relations and together change the world for the better, inshaAllah.

The International Islamic Fair (IIF) is an annual international event incorporating intellectual discourse, business networking and social/cultural interaction. It is designed to fill the present need in time of crisis in the Muslim world. It is equally an effort to help address human relations and other global issues such as worsening interfaith relations, inter-culture conflicts, widening gap between rich & poor, increasing immorality & violence, as well as damage to the environment. In short, at stake is nothing less than the long term survival of humanity. “Islamic Products & Services for All” being our motto, we hope to convince everyone – both Muslims and non-Muslims, that a big part of the solution to the problems of the world is to be found in the Islamic ‘products & services’, in both form and spirit.

The International Islamic Fair is a 3-in-1 annual event comprising the three sub-events: the IIF Trade Exhibition, the IIF International Conference and the IIF Gala Dinner Concert (Sounds of Islam). It is endorsed and recognised by the Malaysian government’s trade agency (MATRADE), as an international event, with Kuala Lumpur as its home base, but also held overseas in a Muslim country, every alternate year.

Each IIF Event is Unique: Each annual IIF event has its own unique objectives reflecting the aspiration of the host location, its particular orientation, and the need/relevance of the time. For example, a given IIF event may promote the host country as a potential hub for Islamic products & services in the particular region as its main Trade Exhibition objectives, or promote the host country’s Nasheed industry to the Muslim world, as its main Gala Dinner Concert’s objective.

3.  THE IIF VISION & MISSION

The high ideals and ‘grandness of purpose’ of the IIF are apparent from its Vision and Mission:    

The VISION: A united, prosperous and progressive Muslim world living in harmony with peace-loving good-people-of-the-world, in a well-informed, just and peaceful global village.

The MISSION Statement: Promoting people-to-people contact and business-to-business networking in the Muslim world, promoting quality Islamic products & services to all, and pro-actively working towards dialogue and cooperation with the-good-people-of-the-world.

To date, these Vision & Mission have already crystallised into the following meaningful activities which are set to further proliferate in years to come :

• Promoting Islamic products & services to ALL (Muslims and non-Muslims alike) through the IIF Trade Exhibition, the IIF Conference paper presentations, IIF website, and cooperation with other organizations that promote IP&S in Malaysia, such as the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) and the Malaysian International Halal Showcase (MIHAS).

• Networking among Muslim businesses and with non-Muslim outfits dealing with products and services of interest to the Muslim world, through the IIF Trade Exhibitions and the follow-up activities.

• Networking among Muslim and non-Muslim intellectuals in matters of the ummah, interfaith/inter-culture relations, humanity and world peace through the IIF Conference and its follow-up activities.

• Networking among Muslim entertainers all over the world (Nasheed artists in particular) through the “Sounds of Islam” IIF Gala Dinner Concert, with the aim of popularising Islamic messages in songs while promoting Islamic entertainment as an alternative form of entertainment for our youth, and helping to promote the Nasheed industry .

• Explaining Islam to the world, correcting misinformation and exposing deliberate disinformation about Islam and Muslims through the IIF Conference with both Muslim and non-Muslim paper presenters from all over the world, including social & human right activists from the USA and the UK.

If the IIF’s Vision & Mission had sounded like a wishy-washy ‘utopian dream’ to some people when we started in 2006, it is certainly much less so now! It is now a bold mission well on its way – with a lofty objective of re-making the ummah into the great influence it once was – to bring CHANGE, for its own sake and for the sake of humanity!

 4.  THE IIF2008

The 3rd IIF, IIF2008 at the prestigious Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) in Dubai (UAE), is set to continue in the footsteps of the successful IIF2006 and IIF2007 at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) and the Matrade Exhibition & Conference Centre (MECC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

It is time to embark upon the global ‘road show’ in an effort to intensify and globalise the IIF ‘wind of change’. The IIF Express ‘peace train’ is indeed on its way from Kuala Lumpur to the ummah, next stop >> Dubai!  It is a historic journey that everyone – Muslim or non-Muslim, should be part of.

The IIF2008 is jointly organised by Hellix Exhibition Org & Management of Dubai, as the “Host Country Organiser” and Saba Islamic Media Sdn Bhd of Malaysia, as the “IIF Brand Organiser”. It will be held at one of the world’s busiest convention centers, the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), from 23rd to 25th December 2008. The organisers welcome everyone – businesses and visitors, to the high profile, yet people-friendly International Islamic Fair 2008, in the heart of UAE’s business city, Dubai.

IIF Motto: Islamic Products & Services for ALL

The IIF2008 Trade Exhibition

Theme: Bringing the Muslim World to Dubai!

Format: Standard Booth and Pavilion. Two types of Islamic Products & Services, defined as:
Type A: ‘Distinctly Islamic’ in character, produced by Muslims or non-Muslims.
Type B: ‘Normal’/non-haram in nature, produced by Muslims or Muslim countries.
Products & services in 25 Categories:
1 Agriculture - Agricultural products, services, projects
2 Banking, Insurance & Finance - Islamic banking, insurance and financing
3 Books & Media – Marketing/Publishing Prints, audio/videos and computer software
4 Broadcasting  – Radio and TV
5 Building Material  – Steel, aluminium, bricks, cement, wood, ceramics
6 Career & Profession  – Job & career agencies
7 Computer & Electronics - Computer and electronic hardware
8 Culture & Art  – Works of art, cultural/art centers and museums
9 Da’wah & Social Work - Da’wah and social work organizations
10 Development Projects - Infrastructure projects for development
11 Education & Training  - Schools, universities, training institutes
12 Energy & Logistics - Power generation, oil & gas, alternative fuels, transportations and logistics
13 Food & Drinks - Halal meat, fresh/preserved/canned food & drinks
14 Government Agencies - Embassies and government agencies
15 Health & Safety - Health & safety products and services
16 Household Items, Clothing & Footwear  – Household and personal items
17 Housing & Real Estate  – Housing and real estate investments/projects
18 Jewelry, Gifts & Decoration - Islamic decorative/gift items and jewelry
19 Machinery, Vehicles, Electricals & Furniture - Industrial, business and household machines, vehicles, electrical appliances and furniture
20 Nasheed & Entertainment  - Islamic nasheed and alternative entertainments
21 Retailing & Franchising R- etailing/franchising of Islamic Products & Services
22 Security & Defense - Home, industrial, and national security/defense devices, systems and services
23 Shares & Capital Markets  - Islamic shares & capital markets
24 Telecommunication - Telecommunication products & services
25 Travel & Recreation - Travel agencies, Hajj/Umrah and holiday packages
Visitor Admission: FREE

The IIF2008 International Conference

Theme: Serving the Ummah & Saving Humanity

Endorsement: Malaysian government Religious Department (JAKIM) and Trade Agencies & Dubai’s Department of Islamic Affairs (AWKAF)

Format: Paper presenters/Speakers from all over the world (both Muslims and non-Muslims), 4 to a Session plus 1 Moderator, in 4 Sessions – Update on the Ummah; Business, Economy & Finance; Human Relations, Media & Global Peace; Community, Arts & Education.

Admission: Participation FEE (50% student discount).

The IIF2008 Gala Dinner Concert

Event name: “Sounds of Islam” – The world of Islam is full of familiar sounds. Some of these ‘sounds of Islam’ are the unique sound of the Adzan calling all Muslims to prayer, the ‘neither-song-nor-poetry’ sound of the Qur’an recitation and the chanting sound of pilgrimage as the guests of God perform their once-in-life-time obligation in the holy city of Makkah. These days we have the Nasheed – Islamic songs in a wide variety of forms and shapes with diverse cultural influences from all corners of the globe – Middle Eastern, Asian, African, European and American. These endearing sounds help keep us in constant remembrance of our duty to Islam as we indulge in a little fun and recreation.    

Artists:  AHMED BUKHATIR of the UAE, RAIHAN of Malaysia, RASHID BHIKHA of South Africa

Format:  Welcome by MC >> Brief Welcome Speech by the Organisers >> Dinner Served >> IIF Closing Keynote by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad >> “Sounds of Islam” Prologue >> Nasheed Performance by Each Artist(s) >> Finale Song by all Artists >> Epilogue >> Good Night by MC

Admission: Dinner Table TICKETS – Platinum, Gold, Silver (also individual seats) or ‘Concert only’ tickets   

 5.  PAST IIF EVENTS

5.1  IIF2006

Main Organiser: SABA Islamic Media Sdn Bhd
Co-organiser: Islamic Information & Services Foundation (IIS)
Collaborators: ACCIN, PPIM, MECD, Tourism Malaysia, TV3 & Channel9, Malaysia Airlines
Date: 9 to 11 June 2006
Venue: Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Officiated by: The Malaysian Foreign Affairs Minister Dato’ Seri Syed Hamid Albar

Trade Exhibition:
Theme:  Islamic Products & Services for ALL
Objective:
1. Promote Islamic products & services to all.
2. Promote Malaysia as the premier hub for global Islamic products & services.
No. of exhibition categories: 16

Conference:
Theme : Islam, Humanity & World Peace
Objective: To discuss current global issues and threats to international and inter-culture relation, and explore ways and means for the global Muslim community to increase its contribution to the wellbeing of Humanity and help bring about World Peace.
5 Sessions: World Affairs & Global Issues; Islamic Finance, Banking & Investments; Muslims & Media; Islam & Modern Science; Community & Education.
Keynote Address: Tun Dr Mahathir Muhammad (former Prime Minister of Malaysia)
Speakers: Included Prof. Dr Amien Rais (former Indonesian Speaker of People’s Consultative Assembly), Yvonne Ridley (Award winning British journalist, Political editor of Islam Channel), Prof. Osman Bakar (Prof. of Philosophy & Islamic Thought & Civilisation), Prof. Malik Badri (Prof. of Psychology, Int. Islamic University), Jimmy Walter (Producer, “confronting the Evidence” – a 9/11 non-copyrighted video), Michael Collins Piper (American Free Press author of many revealing books including “The High Priests of War”, “Final Judgment”), William Rodriguez (last survivor of Sept 11)

Gala Dinner Concert:
Event name: Sounds of Islam
Date/time: 8 to 11 PM, night of 10th June 2006
Objective: Hotel Quran Project funding.
Artists: RAIHAN (M’sia), Cheb Ali (Egypt), Zain Bhikha (S.Africa), D.Wharnsby Ali (USA)

Post-event analysis: The IIF2006 was very successful indeed with respect to the quality of all the three sub-events, and participation of non-Muslims in the Conference. In the presence of the well known 9/11 researcher Jimmy Walter and the ‘9/11 last survivor’ William Rodriguez, the historic incident was thoroughly presented and critically examined. The official feedback survey of the Trade Exhibition participants returned a very encouraging 97% saying they would participate in the next IIF event. The gala dinner concert dubbed “Sounds of Islam” was a stunning success, with both the audience and the performers ending up thoroughly entertained and highly spirited, serving well the ‘social networking’ intent of IIF.

5.2  IIF2007

Main Organiser: SABA Islamic Media Sdn Bhd
Co-organiser: Islamic Information & Services Foundation (IIS) 
Collaborators: ACCIN, PPIM, MECD, Tourism Malaysia, TV3 & Channel9, Malaysia Airlines
Date: 27 to 29 July 2007
Venue: Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) & Matrade Exhibition & Convention Centre (MECC)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Trade Exhibition:
Theme:  Islamic Products & Services for ALL
Objectives:
3. Promote Islamic products & services to all.
4. Promote Malaysia as the premier hub for global Islamic products & services.
No. of exhibition categories: 25

Conference:
Theme : UNITY for PEACE
Objective: To discuss current issues in the Muslim world and threats to world peace.
4 Sessions: Update on the Ummah; Business, Economy & Finance; Human Relations, Media & Global Peace; Community, Arts & Education.
Keynote Address: Tan Sri Sanusi Junid (President, International Islamic University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Speakers: included Yusuf Estes (Texan former priest & speaker on Islam – via video conferencing), Sheikh Imran Hosein (Author & speaker on Islam, former imam of UN mosque, New York), Dato’ Mukhriz Mahathir (Exec. Director, “Perdana Global Peace Organisation”), Nik Mahani Mohamad (a pioneer of Islamic banking in Malaysia), Khaled Taha (Director of Technology, Al-Jazeera), Mohd Shukri Abdullah (Founder & CEO of MIHAS), Dr Khoo Kay Kim (prominent Malaysian historian, Prof.Emeritus at University of Malaya), Dr Doug Rokke (US Army’s “father of depleted uranium”), Annie Machon (former British MI5 intelligence officer, peace activist / whistle blower) many others still to be confirmed.

Gala Dinner Concert:
Event name: Sounds of Islam
Objective: Hotel Quran Project funding.
Artists: HIJJAZ (M’sia), Muhammad Al-Husayan (Kuwait), Aa’shiq-al-Rasul (UK)
 Guest of Honour: Dato’ Seri Zulhasnan Rafique (Minister of Federal Territories, Malaysia)  
Post-event analysis: The IIF2007 was as successful as IIF2006. The number of trade exhibitors was about double and the number of trade categories was up from 16 to 25 with the introduction of ‘heavy’ categories such as Energy & Logistics and Machinery categories. The “Update on the Ummah” Conference session was particularly enlightening. The Conference had served IIF2007 well in putting right the image of Islam and Muslims. Feedback from the Trade Exhibition exhibitors indicated a healthy number of them anxious to participate in the next IIF event overseas. It was decided that the next IIF event (IIF2008) would be held in a suitable city (preferably where change/progress is actively being pursued) in the Middle East, in order to further the vision & mission of the IIF, to a new height.

 6.  IIF WEBSITE & PORTAL

Visit IIF website at www.iif4ummah.com and IIF2008 event blog www.iifexpress.wordpress.com for latest info on the up-coming IIF2008 in Dubai, UAE. Visit also our portal www.iifportal.com (under construction) – the virtual shopping mall for the Islamic products and services, worldwide.