Speech of YB. Tan Sri Sanusi Junid, President of International Islamic University of Malaysia at the 23rd IIUM Convocation Ceremony - 3rd Session on 26th August 2007.
Assalaamu'alaikum Warahmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh.
Bismillaa hir rahmaa nir rahim.
Alhamdulillaa hi rabbil ‘alamin.
Wassalaa tu wassalaa mu ‘ala asyrafil anbiaa ii wal mursalin.
Wa’alaa aa lihi wasah bihi ajma’in.
Yang Berbahagia Professor Dr. Dato’ Syed Arabi Idid, Rektor Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia,
Ahli-ahli Lembaga Gebenor dan Ahli-ahli Majlis,
Tuan-tuan Yang Terutama Duta dan Pesuruhjaya Tinggi,
Kakitangan akademik dan pentadbiran,
Dif-dif terhormat,
Ibu-ibu, bapa-bapa, waris-waris,
Para pelajar dan para hadirin yang dihormati sekelian
Sama-sama kita bersyukur kepada Allah s.w.t. atas limpah rahmatNya dan keizinanNya sahingga kita berada dalam keadaan sihat dan sejahtera di dalam majlis konvokesyen yang ke-23 pada hari ini.
Selaku Presiden Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia, saya berasa sungguh bertuah kerana dapat bersama-sama dengan ibu-bapa, waris dan sanak saudara kepada graduan, dari seluruh dunia, yang akan menerima pelbagai ijazah.
Kepada semua para graduan, ibu-bapa dan waris saya ucapkan tahniah.
It is both a great pleasure and an honour, as President of the International Islamic University Malaysia, to have this opportunity, today, to congratulate all graduates, for the satisfaction that you have earned and for your achievements, after having persevered with hard work over the years.
In five more days, on 31st August, 2007, Malaysia will be celebrating the completion of its 50th year of independance. The whole nation is now being geared up for this celebration and it is rightly so. It is a joyous occasion for the people of Malaysia.
However, while we are celebrating this joyous occasion, we should also remember, that none of us here today, among the graduates, the parents and the staff of the university, played any role in the struggle for independence. Neither today’s cabinet ministers and parliamentarians nor state executive councilors and state assemblymen were involved in the struggle.
Except for the very few pre-merdeka activists, who are still among us, such as Tun Dr. Mahathir, Tun Ghazali Shaf’ie, Tun Fatimah Hashim, Tan Sri Zahari Taib and Dato’ Siti Rahmah, who are known to me, and a few whom I could not remember, others are not around to celebrate.
We should all be grateful to our forefathers for the success of their struggle in freeing us from the yoke of colonialism.
The question before us is therefore whether our descendants are able to celebrate the continuing peace and progress, as we are enjoying now, 50 years hence.
For all graduates, local and foreign, who will be inheriting the leadership roles, at various levels, in your own respective countries, there is probably something to learn from the 50 years of Malaysia.
A country like Malaysia, where the people speak a variety of mother-tongues, practice different religions and faiths, coming from different racial and cultural backgrounds, and live on different levels of prosperity, peace cannot be an accident. Malaysia’s leaders over the last 50 years have preserved peace in the country by continuous planning, implementing, controlling, monitoring and maneuverings.
Malaysia is definitely a country without ideology. It has a pragmatic government with leaders who are ready to use whatever systems so long as they are considered fair and just and will help satisfy the developmental needs of the country and the people. If you insist on describing Malaysia’s ideology, you may call it ‘unitism’ as Malaysia stresses on unity for its survival. It is called ‘unity in diversity’.
The Malaysian constitution declared Islam as the state religion, which therefore facilitates the development of Islamic infrastructure and funding for Islamic activities such as education, and made possible the establishment of this university.
The claim that Malaysia is an Islamic state merely confirm that the country is being headed and ruled by muslim leaders, monarchs and ministers, who are committed to Islam. The counterclaim of Malaysia being a secular state is only a confirmation of its tolerancy towards the other faiths. The claim and counterclaim are normally made by politicians, without them being necessarily committed towards their respective religions and faiths.
It is important not to forget that in the hereafter it is humans that will go to heaven or otherwise and not nations and organizations. It is also important to note that the respect for Islam from the non-Muslims, and the degree of secular activities within any country, is very much depend on the character and strength of the Muslim leaderships at all levels.
Malaysia can claim to have proportionately more Muslims who are committed to Islam than some Arabic speaking countries in the Middle East. Malaysian Catholics are also more committed to Catholicism than their co-religionists in Italy. Malaysian Protestants attend to church activities because of their devotion and not merely for ceremonial purposes as the Anglicans in Britain. Malaysian Hindus carry out their religious activities without any let or hindrance. Malaysian Buddhists are happy without freedom to worship. The Hindus and the Buddhists of Malaysia that they have in Malaysia among the biggest monuments of their deities.
The Muslim Malay leadership of Malaysia has correctly diagnosed the conflicting trends and attitudes of the people of Malaysia and have so far adopted and managed a correct balancing act for national peace and stability which is the prerequisite for national development.
It is in making the right diagnosis and making the correct choices from among the various available routes and methodologies, that determine the measure of leadership of nations.
If the Malays, the Muslims of Malaysia and the Muslims of the world, need to look for a loss item it should not be where there is light, but it should be where it is lost.
At an international conference on Iraq held in Bogor, Indonesia on the 2nd and 3rd of April, 2007 both the leaders and ulama were brought in from all over the world to find ways and means for the Sunni and the Syi’ah’s of Iraq to compromise for peace.
This is certainly not the Malaysian approach as the people of the different religions in Malaysia do not compromise their religions. The Iraqis in Iraq, before the American terrorised them with war, were not united by such religious compromises but because of the Ba’athist party led by Saddam under socialism and not Islam.
All of the thousands of students who have graduated from this university inclusive of from about 100 countries should carry the message that Muslims will parish in their own countries, whether they are in the majority of in the minority if they decide to fight whether undermined by foreigns or instigated by interested parties.
Muslims world-wide, before talking about confronting their enemies, should not make enemies among themselves. They should decide either to live or die together. If they do not decide others, not necessarily their friends, will decide for them.
We have done it in Malaysia and you can do it anywhere.
On national development we should observe China and India. As China uses the capitalist economic system within communist politics, it is better for us to look at the growth of non-communist India.
I am made to understand that in India it is the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), with its many branches, which is responsible for India’s success in technology. The IIT is comparable to the best universities in Europe and the USA. If IIT can do so much for India with more than one billion population, IIUM should aspire to do the same for the more than one billion muslims.
Education is needed not only for the leaders but also for the workers.
It is with this realization that IIUM is setting up the Kulliyyah of Agriculture as more than 75% of the Muslim population of the world are still involved in agricultural activities.
If IIUM is to be a university for the Muslim world it is not right to ignore agriculture altogether.
At the Kulliyyah we hope to impart not only the knowledge of agriculture but also to groom the leaders for our agricultural sectors.
At the Kulliyyah of Agriculture, as at all Kulliyyahs of IIUM, the adopted definition of a leader for the Ummah should be clear, descriptive and simple. For otherwise it will not serve a usefu purpose for the development and the future of Muslims and Muslim Nations.
Assalaamu'alaikum Warahmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh.
Bismillaa hir rahmaa nir rahim.
Alhamdulillaa hi rabbil ‘alamin.
Wassalaa tu wassalaa mu ‘ala asyrafil anbiaa ii wal mursalin.
Wa’alaa aa lihi wasah bihi ajma’in.
Yang Berbahagia Professor Dr. Dato’ Syed Arabi Idid, Rektor Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia,
Ahli-ahli Lembaga Gebenor dan Ahli-ahli Majlis,
Tuan-tuan Yang Terutama Duta dan Pesuruhjaya Tinggi,
Kakitangan akademik dan pentadbiran,
Dif-dif terhormat,
Ibu-ibu, bapa-bapa, waris-waris,
Para pelajar dan para hadirin yang dihormati sekelian
SAMBUTAN
Sama-sama kita bersyukur kepada Allah s.w.t. atas limpah rahmatNya dan keizinanNya sahingga kita berada dalam keadaan sihat dan sejahtera di dalam majlis konvokesyen yang ke-23 pada hari ini.
Selaku Presiden Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia, saya berasa sungguh bertuah kerana dapat bersama-sama dengan ibu-bapa, waris dan sanak saudara kepada graduan, dari seluruh dunia, yang akan menerima pelbagai ijazah.
CONGRATULATIONS
Kepada semua para graduan, ibu-bapa dan waris saya ucapkan tahniah.
It is both a great pleasure and an honour, as President of the International Islamic University Malaysia, to have this opportunity, today, to congratulate all graduates, for the satisfaction that you have earned and for your achievements, after having persevered with hard work over the years.
50TH YEAR OF MALAYSIA’S INDEPENDENCE
In five more days, on 31st August, 2007, Malaysia will be celebrating the completion of its 50th year of independance. The whole nation is now being geared up for this celebration and it is rightly so. It is a joyous occasion for the people of Malaysia.
However, while we are celebrating this joyous occasion, we should also remember, that none of us here today, among the graduates, the parents and the staff of the university, played any role in the struggle for independence. Neither today’s cabinet ministers and parliamentarians nor state executive councilors and state assemblymen were involved in the struggle.
Except for the very few pre-merdeka activists, who are still among us, such as Tun Dr. Mahathir, Tun Ghazali Shaf’ie, Tun Fatimah Hashim, Tan Sri Zahari Taib and Dato’ Siti Rahmah, who are known to me, and a few whom I could not remember, others are not around to celebrate.
We should all be grateful to our forefathers for the success of their struggle in freeing us from the yoke of colonialism.
THE NEXT 50 YEARS
The question before us is therefore whether our descendants are able to celebrate the continuing peace and progress, as we are enjoying now, 50 years hence.
LEARN FROM MALAYSIA
For all graduates, local and foreign, who will be inheriting the leadership roles, at various levels, in your own respective countries, there is probably something to learn from the 50 years of Malaysia.
LEADERSHIP
A country like Malaysia, where the people speak a variety of mother-tongues, practice different religions and faiths, coming from different racial and cultural backgrounds, and live on different levels of prosperity, peace cannot be an accident. Malaysia’s leaders over the last 50 years have preserved peace in the country by continuous planning, implementing, controlling, monitoring and maneuverings.
PRAGMATISM - UNITISM
Malaysia is definitely a country without ideology. It has a pragmatic government with leaders who are ready to use whatever systems so long as they are considered fair and just and will help satisfy the developmental needs of the country and the people. If you insist on describing Malaysia’s ideology, you may call it ‘unitism’ as Malaysia stresses on unity for its survival. It is called ‘unity in diversity’.
ISLAM AS THE STATE RELIGION
The Malaysian constitution declared Islam as the state religion, which therefore facilitates the development of Islamic infrastructure and funding for Islamic activities such as education, and made possible the establishment of this university.
The claim that Malaysia is an Islamic state merely confirm that the country is being headed and ruled by muslim leaders, monarchs and ministers, who are committed to Islam. The counterclaim of Malaysia being a secular state is only a confirmation of its tolerancy towards the other faiths. The claim and counterclaim are normally made by politicians, without them being necessarily committed towards their respective religions and faiths.
It is important not to forget that in the hereafter it is humans that will go to heaven or otherwise and not nations and organizations. It is also important to note that the respect for Islam from the non-Muslims, and the degree of secular activities within any country, is very much depend on the character and strength of the Muslim leaderships at all levels.
MALAYSIANS ARE MORE RELIGIOUS
Malaysia can claim to have proportionately more Muslims who are committed to Islam than some Arabic speaking countries in the Middle East. Malaysian Catholics are also more committed to Catholicism than their co-religionists in Italy. Malaysian Protestants attend to church activities because of their devotion and not merely for ceremonial purposes as the Anglicans in Britain. Malaysian Hindus carry out their religious activities without any let or hindrance. Malaysian Buddhists are happy without freedom to worship. The Hindus and the Buddhists of Malaysia that they have in Malaysia among the biggest monuments of their deities.
FIND WHERE IT IS LOST
The Muslim Malay leadership of Malaysia has correctly diagnosed the conflicting trends and attitudes of the people of Malaysia and have so far adopted and managed a correct balancing act for national peace and stability which is the prerequisite for national development.
It is in making the right diagnosis and making the correct choices from among the various available routes and methodologies, that determine the measure of leadership of nations.
If the Malays, the Muslims of Malaysia and the Muslims of the world, need to look for a loss item it should not be where there is light, but it should be where it is lost.
IRAQ
At an international conference on Iraq held in Bogor, Indonesia on the 2nd and 3rd of April, 2007 both the leaders and ulama were brought in from all over the world to find ways and means for the Sunni and the Syi’ah’s of Iraq to compromise for peace.
This is certainly not the Malaysian approach as the people of the different religions in Malaysia do not compromise their religions. The Iraqis in Iraq, before the American terrorised them with war, were not united by such religious compromises but because of the Ba’athist party led by Saddam under socialism and not Islam.
UNITE OR PERISH
All of the thousands of students who have graduated from this university inclusive of from about 100 countries should carry the message that Muslims will parish in their own countries, whether they are in the majority of in the minority if they decide to fight whether undermined by foreigns or instigated by interested parties.
Muslims world-wide, before talking about confronting their enemies, should not make enemies among themselves. They should decide either to live or die together. If they do not decide others, not necessarily their friends, will decide for them.
We have done it in Malaysia and you can do it anywhere.
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
On national development we should observe China and India. As China uses the capitalist economic system within communist politics, it is better for us to look at the growth of non-communist India.
I am made to understand that in India it is the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), with its many branches, which is responsible for India’s success in technology. The IIT is comparable to the best universities in Europe and the USA. If IIT can do so much for India with more than one billion population, IIUM should aspire to do the same for the more than one billion muslims.
Education is needed not only for the leaders but also for the workers.
KULLIYYAH OF AGRICULTURE
It is with this realization that IIUM is setting up the Kulliyyah of Agriculture as more than 75% of the Muslim population of the world are still involved in agricultural activities.
If IIUM is to be a university for the Muslim world it is not right to ignore agriculture altogether.
At the Kulliyyah we hope to impart not only the knowledge of agriculture but also to groom the leaders for our agricultural sectors.
At the Kulliyyah of Agriculture, as at all Kulliyyahs of IIUM, the adopted definition of a leader for the Ummah should be clear, descriptive and simple. For otherwise it will not serve a usefu purpose for the development and the future of Muslims and Muslim Nations.
LEADERS AND LEADERSHIP
In the 21st convocation two years ago, I said:
However, besides knowledge, and knowledge of science and technology, Muslims, their communities, institutions and nations need leadership.
Which means having leaders who should be defined as problem solvers. Problem solvers who could monitor and guide the process of change towards progress.
Leaders with knowledge should be equipped with the qualities of trustworthiness, courage, discipline, hard-work and loyalty.
A leader, anywhere, should not be defined as a person wh0 just have followers.
As even Ali Baba had forty (40) thieves as his followers.
We would only be undermining the dignity of the concept of leadership if we include trouble-makers, and not problem-solvers or managers of change process, as leaders.’
In a world where enlightened leadership is wanting, let us hope that all of you will aspire to be great problem solvers using the knowledge that you have acquired at this university.
Lee Iaccoca, entitled his latest book ‘ Where are the leaders gone? He is asking about the United States of America. If we go by our defination of a leader as a problem solver, then the USA is in need of leaders.
As young and future leaders, at various levels in the public and private entreprises, you must make it your fervent desire to add and improve, to what has been done or achieved by your predecessors, when you inherit their power and position. You should not be painting your predecessors black if you cannot whiten your image, or destroy their creation if you cannot add to or create new ventures as your own contribution to your nation.
As graduates of IIUM, you are expected to be moralists. But it is more important that you too live up to the Islamic moral expectations as a reflection of the spirit of the alumni.
Being prepared with knowledge, motivation, leadership and iman graduates of IIUM has both their national and international roles to play.
Upon graduation, I hope that every graduate will be active within the alumni network, in order to further develope the existing friendship, among graduates, leading towards strengthening the unity of the Muslim Ummah.
Let us hope that the knowledge that you have acquired will provide you with employment.
With your knowledge, motivation, leadership, iman and the spirit of unity we can hope, Insya Allah, to overcome the massive problems of poverty and underdevelopment in the Muslim world.
Saya ucapkan tahniah kepada ibu bapa dan penjaga sekalian dan terima kasih kerana memilih UIA .
Sekian, Wabilla hi Taufik Wal Hidayah Wassalaam,u’alikum Warahmatulla hi Wabarakaa tuh.
CAC, IIUM, Gombak, Kuala Lumpur.
26th August, 2007
However, besides knowledge, and knowledge of science and technology, Muslims, their communities, institutions and nations need leadership.
Which means having leaders who should be defined as problem solvers. Problem solvers who could monitor and guide the process of change towards progress.
Leaders with knowledge should be equipped with the qualities of trustworthiness, courage, discipline, hard-work and loyalty.
A leader, anywhere, should not be defined as a person wh0 just have followers.
As even Ali Baba had forty (40) thieves as his followers.
We would only be undermining the dignity of the concept of leadership if we include trouble-makers, and not problem-solvers or managers of change process, as leaders.’
In a world where enlightened leadership is wanting, let us hope that all of you will aspire to be great problem solvers using the knowledge that you have acquired at this university.
Lee Iaccoca, entitled his latest book ‘ Where are the leaders gone? He is asking about the United States of America. If we go by our defination of a leader as a problem solver, then the USA is in need of leaders.
As young and future leaders, at various levels in the public and private entreprises, you must make it your fervent desire to add and improve, to what has been done or achieved by your predecessors, when you inherit their power and position. You should not be painting your predecessors black if you cannot whiten your image, or destroy their creation if you cannot add to or create new ventures as your own contribution to your nation.
ALUMNI NETWORK
As graduates of IIUM, you are expected to be moralists. But it is more important that you too live up to the Islamic moral expectations as a reflection of the spirit of the alumni.
Being prepared with knowledge, motivation, leadership and iman graduates of IIUM has both their national and international roles to play.
Upon graduation, I hope that every graduate will be active within the alumni network, in order to further develope the existing friendship, among graduates, leading towards strengthening the unity of the Muslim Ummah.
EMPLOYMENT
Let us hope that the knowledge that you have acquired will provide you with employment.
With your knowledge, motivation, leadership, iman and the spirit of unity we can hope, Insya Allah, to overcome the massive problems of poverty and underdevelopment in the Muslim world.
CONCLUSION
Saya ucapkan tahniah kepada ibu bapa dan penjaga sekalian dan terima kasih kerana memilih UIA .
Sekian, Wabilla hi Taufik Wal Hidayah Wassalaam,u’alikum Warahmatulla hi Wabarakaa tuh.
CAC, IIUM, Gombak, Kuala Lumpur.
26th August, 2007
No comments:
Post a Comment