Autism No Barrier For Muhammad Naquib To Receive Scroll, Award At UniPSAS Convo

KUANTAN, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- Muhammad Naquib Ajmal Mohd Jamal Nasir has faced challenges due to autism but the disorder did not stand in his way of graduating as well as receiving a special award at the 21st Universiti Islam Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah (UNIPSAS) convocation ceremony here today.

The 26-year-old, who expressed his gratitude to his parents and educators, said the award has boosted not only his spirits but has motivated him to continue striving in the field of religious studies.

"If I didn’t have their support, I most probably would not have graduated and won this award today…truly grateful and thankful,” said Muhammad Naquib Ajmal, an instructor at the Akademi Syahadah Tahfiz Al-Faizin in Kuala Selangor, Selangor, when met by reporters here today.

Graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Quranic Studies and Sunnah, he admits that it was quite difficult for him to divide his time between practicing recitation, tajwid and revising the 30 Juzuk (chapters) of the Quran that he has memorised since his teenage years.

"I strive to learn like everyone else, time is the main constraint for studying while also participate in memory competitions, but I try to organise and balance my time well... After this, I aspire to participate in recitation competitions," said the eldest of four siblings.

Muhammad Naquib Ajmal's award was made sweeter as he received it from a member of the Pahang royal family, Brigadier General Tengku Amir Nasser Ibrahim Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah, who officiated the convocation ceremony.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Naquib Ajmal’s parents, Mohd Jamal Nasir Ismail, 55, and Anita Elias, 55, when met said they son was diagnosed with autism when he was seven years old, and they consider his abilities as a gift from Allah SWT.

"Back then, he made no eye contact and was slow in speech; my child could only speak Malay at the age of nine, but not fluently. However, he knew more words in English and Arabic," said Anita, who a teacher in Islamic Education.

“When he was still small, the doctor told us that (Muhammad) Naquib had an excellent memory and thank God he can now memorise the Quran."

During the ceremony today, former Pahang Mufti Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Osman was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Islamic Studies, while 443 graduates received their master's degrees, bachelor's degrees and diplomas respectively.

Meanwhile, UNIPSAS vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Zawavi Zainal Abidin during his speech said his team will be establishing a Faculty of Quran and Sunnah in January 2025.

He said this effort was in line with the decree of the Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who had wanted a thorough study to be conducted to establish an Al-Quran University in Pahang.

-- BERNAMA