| Azlan Othman |
THE Malay world with a total population of 350 million can become great and strong if we are united in the religion of Allah the Almighty, Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti, said yesterday.
However, we are more occupied promoting other fields such as cooperation in culture, economy and defence, he said in his keynote address titled ‘Islam Spearheads Prosperity in the Malay World’ at the International Conference on Islam in the Malay World VI at Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA).
The Malay world seldom promotes unity under the umbrella of Islam, he added.
He said Islam is a bearer of prosperity in the Malay world as well as a global catalyst, illuminating the entire universe, of which the Malay world is part.
And because of Islam, the Malay world is a glorious civilisation that has succeeded in enhancing governance and laws, spreading education and boosting the economy, he said.
The State Mufti said Islam became well-established when the missionaries of Islam attracted the attention of Malay rulers and governments who later accepted Islam as their faith.
Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti delivering his keynote address. – PHOTOS: AZLAN OTHMAN
Among those who were at the International Conference on Islam in the Malay World VI at Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali.
Islam has had a very strong and deep impact on the development on the Malay civilisation, he said, adding that before the advent of Islam, the Malay world was dark and poor as well as without grace and blessing.
The Malay world chose Islam after receiving guidance from Allah the Almighty. “Without guidance, we will not be able to express Syahadah. The guidance is from Allah the Almighty,” he said.
He said the Malay world must be grateful to Allah the Almighty for being endowed with Islam that has made the Malay world prosperous and filled with blessings and divine light.
The seminar is the first of its kind organised by UNISSA. The conference which was organised in collaboration with four higher institutions in the region was first initiated by Negeri Sunan Djati Islamic University in Bandung and Universiti Malaya, Malaysia.
The two institutions held the conference alternately from 2011-2014 before inviting Prince Songkla University and UNISSA to take part in organising the conference.
The conference demonstrates unity among the higher institutions in the region in contributing to research that benefits the Muslim Ummah.
The theme portrays Islam as the basis for prosperity from all aspects according to Al-Quran and As-Sunnah, teachings and Islamic law as well as belief, propagation, Islamic education, history, civilisation, administration and economy.
The two-day seminar has attracted researchers and educators from across the region with over 60 working papers received by the organiser. The seminar is also attended by participants from various agencies, government and non-government sectors, including associations and undergraduates.
Yesterday’s opening ceremony was also attended by Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar, Deputy Minister of Education; Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Japar bin Haji Mat Dain @ Maidin, Deputy State Mufti; Dr Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal, Rector of UNISSA; and senior officials.
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