The Grand Imam: Today's Honor from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) Is an Honor for Al-Azhar Institution, Its Scholars, Students, Graduates, and Its History

The Grand Imam Delivers a Speech at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) on the Occasion of Receiving the Honorary Doctorate

Malaysian Prime Minister: The Grand Imam Is a Renewer and Educator of This Ummah, and I Was Impressed by His Speech on Islamic Moderation

Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) awarded an honorary doctorate in Quranic and Sunnah Studies to His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders which was presented by Tunku Ali Redhauddin, Crown Prince of Negeri Sembilan as well as Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, and Professor Mohamed Ridza Wahidin, President of USIM, along with a number of ministers, scholars, professors, researchers, and Malaysian students.

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb delivered a speech expressing his pride in being in Malaysia, a Muslim nation that serves as a living model of urban and economic development. He praised the university as a haven for scholars and a beacon of education, where academic discussions and debates take place, and the opinions of intellectuals and researchers are heard.

His Eminence added that speaking at USIM makes him feel a deep sense of gratitude to the people of Malaysia, who have been pioneers in establishing methodological and intellectual foundations in the field of Islamic studies. He pointed out that this approach relies on "instilling and reinforcing ethics in human consciousness through the discipline of both mind and spirit." This vision has greatly contributed to protecting Malaysia from the dangers of ideologies that oppose Islamic moderation, a hallmark of the nation since it embraced Islam as its faith and way of life, enriching Islamic civilization and contributing to building a resilient cultural model throughout history.

He concluded, "As I stand here among you to receive the honor of an honorary doctorate, I express my deep appreciation for this generous initiative from USIM for two reasons: first, this academic title is related to the study of the noble revelation, the Quran and the purified Sunnah, which are the most esteemed and noble of studies; second, this honor is not limited to my humble self but is a recognition of the esteemed institution of Al-Azhar, its scholars, students, and graduates, and its academic history that spans over a millennium, during which it welcomed countless students from around the world, especially from your esteemed country, Malaysia, which has the lion's share of international students at Al-Azhar."

In his speech, Tunku Ali Redhauddin, Crown Prince of Negeri Sembilan expressed the deep relationship between Al-Azhar and Malaysia, stating his pride in presenting the honorary doctorate to His Eminence and his happiness with the strong relationship between USIM and Al-Azhar University.

Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed the Malaysian people's appreciation for the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. He shared his immense joy in listening to the Grand Imam's speech, which reflected profound wisdom from one of the greatest scholars of the Ummah, always influencing with his wisdom and deep insights that resonate with everyone. He noted that Malaysia has greatly benefited from Al-Azhar's scholars, with thousands of students graduating with enlightened and moderate views, spreading these values throughout Southeast Asia.

The Prime Minister added that the Grand Imam is a renewer and educator of this Ummah, and he was impressed by his speech on Islamic moderation. He personally draws guidance from the Grand Imam's words on many issues and situations. He praised the efforts of the Grand Imam in promoting the unity of the Ummah and spreading the values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence among Muslims and others. He called on Malaysians to emulate the Grand Imam's stances, which establish values of respect and human understanding. He added, "On behalf of the government and the people of Malaysia, I would like to express our deep love for the Grand Imam and our desire for him to visit us again."