A qualitative study of intercultural relationship in inculcating Islamic values among IIUM female students : A case study of IIUM Halaqa programme

Abstract

The International Islamic University Malaysia-IIUM- aims at bringing students from different cultural backgrounds together. The establishment of Halaqah programme under the umbrella of student development programme serves as platform of inculcating Islamic values at IIUM. This study examined the role of intercultural relationship in inculcating Islamic values among IIUM registered female students in SEM II 2010/2011 academic session. Researcher observed that Halaqah female students from various cultural backgrounds have difficulty in interacting with students from other cultural backgrounds. This study contributes to overall activities of Halaqah. Specifically, it will help Co-Curricular Activity Centre to meticulously plan and prepare for the Halaqah modules that will cater for the intercultural relationship among IIUM female students in order to achieve an inculcation of Islamic Values. Qualitative research method was employed. Both structured interview and observation were the tools used in the study. Ten female students were interviewed while ten groups were observed. The findings from the interview showed that majority of IIUM female students who participated in SEM II 2010/2011 academic session believed that Halaqah is an effective programme in IIUM in enhancing intercultural relationship and promoting Islamic values among the students. The findings from observation indicated that there was low level of interaction between local and international female students in the Halaqah. It was as a result recommended that the management of CCAC must be reviewed in catering for and enhancing intercultural relationship among IIUM’s female students.