Honoring me today by USIM is an honor for Al-Azhar institution, scholars, students, graduates, and history

 

GI delivers a speech at USIM on the occasion of receiving an honorary doctorate

 

The Grand Imam is a renewer and educator of this nation, and his speech about the moderation of Islam impressed me, Malaysian PM

 

 

The Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM), awarded on Thursday, an honorary doctorate in Qur’an and Sunnah Studies to Al-Azhar Grand Imam and MCE Chairman, Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb. It was handed over to His Eminence by His Highness USIM Pro-Chancellor, Tunku Ali Redhauddin, in the presence of Mr. Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, Professor Mohamed Ridza Wahiddin, USIM Vice-Chancellor, and a group of Malaysian ministers, scholars, professors, researchers and students.

 

 

His Eminence delivered a speech in which he said he was proud to be in Malaysia, the Muslim country that provides a living model of urbanization and economic development, and in a university which is the destination of those who are preoccupied with science and education, and the haven of those who seek knowledge, discuss its issues, and listen to academics and researchers.

 

The Grand Imam added that when he speaks in the Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM), he feels overwhelmed by gratitude to the people of this country, who were pioneers in establishing methodological and cognitive foundations in the field of Islamic studies. He pointed out that this approach depends on “instilling and consolidating literature in the human consciousness through the discipline of the mind and the spirit together.” It is a vision which enabled Malaysia to avoid conflicting thoughts with the Islamic moderation that distinguishes this country, since it knew Islam and adopted it as a religion and a way of life. Moderation is a constant feature of the thought of Malaysian people, which helped them contribute greatly to Islamic civilization, and helped with recording this powerful civilizational model in the pages of history despite the ebb and flow of time and the change of place.

 

His Eminence concluded, “As I stand here among you, to receive the honorary doctorate, I express my pride in this generous gesture from the USIM for two reasons: the first is that this scientific title is related to the study of the Noble Revelation, the most precious thing that is sought, learnt, or taught, which is the Holy Qur’an and the Noble Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh). Secondly, because this honor is not limited to my humble person only, but rather it is a tribute to Al-Azhar institution, scholars, students and graduates, and to its history, which spans more than a thousand and seventy years, during which it has received millions of students from all countries of the world, at the forefront of which is Malaysia, which has the lion’s share of students coming to study at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif.”

 

 

His Highness Tunku Ali Redhauddin pointed out the depth of the relationship between Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Malaysia, expressing his pride today in presenting the Grand Imam with an honorary doctorate, and his happiness with the close relationship that brings together the Islamic Science University of Malaysia and the prestigious Al-Azhar University.

 

 

For his part, Mr. Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, expressed the appreciation of the Malaysian people for His Eminence the Grand Imam and noted that he was overwhelmed with happiness as he listened to the Grand Imam’s speech, which reflected the wisdom of the nation’s greatest scholar, who always influences and impresses people with his wisdom and profound speech. He pointed out that Malaysia has benefited greatly from the scholars of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and has thousands of graduates who carry enlightened moderate thought and spread it in the Southeast Asian region.

 

The Malaysian Prime Minister added: The Grand Imam is a renewer and educator of this nation, and I was impressed by his speech about the moderation of Islam. He explained that he personally is guided by the words of the Grand Imam on many issues and positions and praised the efforts of the Sheikh of Al-Azhar to strengthen the unity of the nation and spread the values of dialogue, tolerance and coexistence between Muslims and others. He called on the Malaysians to emulate the positions of the Grand Imam, which establish the values of respect and human acquaintance, adding, “On behalf of the government of Malaysia and its people, I would like to express our deep love for the Grand Imam and our desire that he repeat this visit again and again.”