“We must continue to celebrate our differences—whether in faith, cuisine, or art—while recognizing our shared humanity,” said the Head of Constitution of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Her Royal Highness Tengku Ampuan Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Binti AlMarhum Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj.
Her Royal Highness stated that the current state in South East Asia reflects a mosaic of intercultural interactions. “We must continue to celebrate our differences—whether in faith, cuisine, or art—while recognizing our shared humanity,” Her Royal Highness added.
However, Her Royal Highness stressed that we must go beyond coexistence.
“Our task is to weave these threads into a fabric of understanding, empathy, and mutual respect.
“We recognize that our duty extends beyond borders. We must foster understanding, respect, and cooperation among our nations. Our people—whether in bustling metropolises or remote villages—deserve bridges that connect hearts and minds.
Her Royal Highness also wishes to place a strong emphasis on education, to expand our investment in educational exchanges, scholarships, and cultural immersion programs.
“When our students from Vietnam study here at the International Islamic University Malaysia, or when artists from Cambodia collaborate with those in the Philippines, we not only uplift them, but we are also building lasting bridges.
“These interactions ignite curiosity, dispel stereotypes, and foster lasting friendships and connections, from which Rahmatan lil alamin can be further realized,” she later added at a three days seminar entitled Intercultural Dynamics in South East Asia: Current State, Opportunities and Future Perspective with the theme “Cultivating Wisdom, Inspiring Excellence and Shaping the Futures is being held at the IIUM from 22nd to 24th April 2024.
The seminar is co-organized by the AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (AHAS KIRKHS) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
This significant seminar was graced by the Head of the Constitution of IIUM, Her Royal Highness Tengku Ampuan Pahang.
The Rector of IIUM, Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak stated that the seminar reflects the IIUM’s commitment to upholding peace through the Sejahtera concept as the university ingrains this in its vision, mission, institutions, and activities.
“The university is also focused on humanizing education, reforming the contemporary Muslim mindset, and producing graduates that are holistic so that they are not only excelling at academics but also able to go beyond the classroom and delve into community engagement activities.
“The intercultural seminar is not only aimed at building knowledge but also putting it into action as a result of the deliberations, dialogues, and outcomes agreed upon,” said Dzulkifli.
Meanwhile, the OIC is always devoted to sustaining and supporting all initiatives with objective-oriented outcomes and with certain added values to the collective action among all members of the bigger OIC family, including Member States, Institutions, Universities and gifted individuals.
According to the Secretary General of OIC, His Excellency Ebrahim Hissein Taha, the obvious objective of this seminar is basically to launch collective thinking on how to make cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue major assets in bringing people together to talk, listen to each other, and exchange on issues at the heart of the common interests of the Muslim communities wherever they are.
“At the OIC, we always make sure appropriate importance is given to cultural encounters among people from different backgrounds, which only work to create those bridges and common grounds much needed to foster Muslim solidarity, stimulate the mutual understanding, encourage bilateral and multilateral cooperation and reinforce the structures of peace, collective stability and shared prosperity,” he added.
A total of 250 international and local participants, including 40 delegates from 20 countries, with 2 keynote speakers, 10 special addresses and 23 paper presenters at the seminar.
According to the Chairperson of the seminar, Dr. Mohammad Mohiuddin, The OIC-CA seminar 2024 represents a significant milestone, not just for their organization, but for the entire diverse community.
It is a testament to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states as strategies are employed to properly acknowledge cultural diversity and embrace ideals of tolerance, harmony, and peace.
He is confident that the discussions, collaborations, and insights shared over the coming days will pave the way to bridge the concepts of Islamisation, integration, and contextualizing knowledge with cultural contexts and diverse practices across various OIC geographical areas.
Among the international delegations attending the seminar are Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO), Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), Islamic University of Technology (IUT), Islamic Youth Forum (ICYF) Istanbul Turkey, Majlis Ulama Indonesia, Al-Quds Human Rights Clinic Palestine, Asian-African Youth Government (AAYG), Istanbul Medeniyet University Turkey, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, World NYC Federation, Muhammadiyyah Indonesia, OIC Youth Indonesia, National Youth Council Indonesia, and IIIT. – BACALAHMALAYSIA.MY/IIUM TODAY