During a keynote address at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu presented a compelling vision for a new era of intellectual and scientific leadership across the Muslim world. The address was delivered on Tuesday following the conferment of an Honorary Doctorate in Islamic Leadership and Madani Development upon the President by IIUM.
Speaking to an audience of academics, students, dignitaries, and senior government officials, President Dr Muizzu delivered his lecture titled “Intellectual Renaissance: Unveiling the Scientific and Modern Development of Islamic Civilisation.” In his remarks, he urged Muslim nations to revive their historic role in global knowledge and innovation, drawing inspiration from the Islamic Golden Age, a period from the 8th to 14th centuries when Islamic civilisation led in fields such as medicine, astronomy, philosophy, and engineering.
He described how, during that era, the pursuit of knowledge was viewed as a sacred duty, supported by a network of mosques, libraries, hospitals, and universities. The President called for a return to those foundational values, adapted for the modern era, to address the educational, technological, and ethical challenges facing Muslim societies today.
President Dr Muizzu identified the empowerment of youth as central to this renewal. He proposed a framework that includes investment in world-class universities, research institutions, and digital platforms that combine faith-based education with scientific advancement. Addressing the often misunderstood relationship between religion and science, he reaffirmed their compatibility, arguing that faith and reason are not at odds but are vital partners in achieving holistic progress.
In his speech, the President also highlighted the urgent need for collaboration among Muslim-majority nations, proposing the establishment of cross-border research hubs, innovation incubators, and shared scientific platforms. He urged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to take a more active role in shaping international conversations on sustainability, ethics, and technological development.
Turning to current global issues, President Dr Muizzu condemned ongoing aggression against Palestinians, expressing deep solidarity with those suffering across the Ummah. He emphasized Islam’s enduring values of peace, compassion, justice, and the pursuit of knowledge, envisioning a future in which every Muslim child can learn, contribute, and lead with dignity.
The President also pointed to the potential of Muslim nations to contribute to critical fields such as medicine, renewable energy, and quantum computing. He called on leaders and institutions across the Islamic world to approach the future with ambition, vision, and unity.
The ceremony was held at IIUM’s main campus and attended by Her Royal Highness Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, who conferred the honorary doctorate in her role as Constitutional Head of the university. The event brought together educational leaders from across Malaysia and members of the President’s high-level Maldivian delegation.
President Dr Muizzu expressed his gratitude to the university community, noting that the honorary doctorate was not just a personal honour but a symbol of shared commitment to education, innovation, and ethical leadership within the global Islamic community.
The event further reinforced the close educational and cultural ties between the Maldives and Malaysia, particularly through institutions like IIUM, which has been a key destination for Maldivian students since the 1990s. Over 380 Maldivians have graduated from IIUM, many of whom now hold influential roles in the Maldives’ academic, religious, and public sectors.
advertisment
advertisment
