Department of Usuluddin and Da'wah

DEPARTMENT OF USULUDDIN AND DA'WAH

The Department of Usuluddin and Da‘wah is a newly established academic department formed in 2025 through the strategic integration of the former Department of 'Aqidah and Islamic Thought and the Department of Da‘wah and Human Development. This merger reflects the Academy’s commitment to strengthening interdisciplinary scholarship that integrates theological foundations, intellectual traditions, and applied Islamic engagement with contemporary society.

The Department is staffed by a distinguished body of academics specializing in Usuluddin and Da‘wah, many of whom serve as national and international experts appointed by government agencies, statutory bodies, and industry stakeholders. Members of the Department hold key positions such as State Fatwa Council Members, Aqidah Expert Panels for JAKIM, External Academic Assessors for university programmes, State Islamic Religious Council Members, and visiting or appointed experts at overseas universities. Their scholarly authority and professional engagement position the Department as a reference point for policy, education, and community development related to Islamic thought and religious guidance. 

Research constitutes a core strength of the Department. Academic staff actively lead and participate in national and international research projects funded by ministries, government agencies, and industry partners. Research areas include, but are not limited to, Islamic creed ('Aqidah), Islamic psychospiritual studies, interfaith and intercultural dialogue, Da‘wah methodologies, human development, Islamophobia, religion and society, and contemporary challenges to Islamic worldview and ethics. These research initiatives contribute directly to public discourse, policy development, and societal well-being at both national and global levels. 

At the undergraduate level, the Department offers the Bachelor of Usuluddin, with two specialized tracks: 

- Islamic Thought and Spiritual Studies, and - Da‘wah and Human Development.

At the postgraduate level, the Department provides a comprehensive and flexible academic pathway. Programmes include: 

- Master of Usuluddin (by Research) with specializations in 'Aqidah and Islamic Thought or Da‘wah and Human Development; 

- Master of Usuluddin (Islamic Thought and Civilization) offered in mixed-mode; - Master of Da‘wah Development offered in coursework mode; and 

- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by full research with specializations in Aqidah, Islamic Thought, and Da‘wah and Human Development. 

Graduates of the Department have pursued diverse professional careers as academicians, religious officers, teachers, researchers, policy advisors, and entrepreneurs, serving both public and private sectors. At the postgraduate level, the Department hosts a vibrant international academic community, with alumni originating from countries such as Germany, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Türkiye, Qatar, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and others, reflecting its growing global reputation. 

In strengthening its scholarly impact, the Department also serves as a publisher of two international academic journals that contribute significantly to global Islamic scholarship. AFKAR: Journal of Aqidah & Islamic Thought is a well-established peer-reviewed journal focusing on Aqidah, Islamic theology, and intellectual traditions. The journal is internationally indexed in Scopus, Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI–Web of Science), ATLA Religion Database, ASEAN Citation Index (ACI), and MyCite, reflecting its academic credibility and global reach. 

In addition, the Department publishes Journal of al-Falah, which focuses on research in Da‘wah and Human Development. The journal focuses on da‘wah thought and approaches, media and communication in da‘wah, and Islamic psychology within the context of human development. Together, these journals reinforce the Department’s role as a hub for high-quality research dissemination, bridging classical Islamic scholarship with contemporary societal and human challenges. 

With its strong academic heritage, expert human capital, active research culture, and international reach, the Department of Usuluddin and Da‘wah is well positioned to become a regional and global centre of excellence in Islamic theology, thought, psychospiritual, interfaith dialogue, and transformative Da‘wah, addressing contemporary realities while remaining firmly grounded in the Islamic intellectual tradition.