News Desk
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — In a visionary discourse at the International Islamic University Malaysia, Dr. Mohammed Muizzu, the president of the Maldives, accepted an honorary doctorate and called for a bold revival of the Muslim world’s intellectual and scientific legacy. Speaking to an audience that included Malaysia’s health and higher education ministers and Her Royal Highness Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, the university’s constitutional head, President Muizzu outlined a vision for a modern Islamic renaissance grounded in faith, innovation, and global unity.
“It is with deep gratitude that I accept the Honorary Doctorate Degree conferred upon me by the Esteemed International Islamic University Malaysia, a globally renowned institution for Islamic education, scientific research, and excellence,” President Muizzu said. “This honour is not merely a personal accolade, but a recognition of our shared commitment to advancing the intellectual and developmental legacy of Islamic civilization.”
Delivered under the theme “The Intellectual Renaissance: Unveiling the Scientific and Modern Development of Islamic Civilization,” the speech celebrated the Muslim world’s historical contributions during its Golden Age, from the 8th to the 14th centuries. President Muizzu evoked the era’s libraries in Baghdad, observatories in Samarkand, and medical schools in Cairo, when Muslim scholars like Jabir ibn Hayyan, Ibn Sina, Ibn al-Haytham, Al-Biruni, Ibn Rushd, and Al-Idrisi pioneered advancements in medicine, mathematics, and astronomy. “It was a time when faith and reason walked hand in hand, and the pursuit of knowledge was not only encouraged—it was a sacred duty, an act of worship,” he said.
Yet, President Muizzu struck a sobering note, acknowledging the challenges that have dimmed the Muslim world’s intellectual prominence. “Political instability, colonial legacies, educational decline, and underinvestment in research have weakened our collective standing,” he said. “Are we honoring the intellectual legacy we’ve inherited? Are we producing knowledge or merely consuming it? Are we bold enough to lead again?”
To reclaim this legacy, President Muizzu proposed three imperatives. First, he called for cultivating a love for knowledge among youth, invoking the Quranic command “Iqra” (Read), the first word revealed to the Prophet Muhammad PUH. “We must invest in world-class universities, research centers, and digital platforms—grounded in Islamic values and driven by curiosity,” he urged, advocating for inclusive learning environments that celebrate modern Muslim scientists in fields like cancer research and artificial intelligence.
Second, he emphasized bridging faith and modernity. Quoting the Quran, “And He has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth—all from Him” (45:13), he rejected the notion that science and religion are at odds. “We must lead the way in ensuring that modern technologies—be it genetic engineering, AI, or climate solutions—are guided by ethics, equity, and compassion,” he said. “Let us embrace both the microscope and the minbar, the laboratory and the library, the telescope and the tasbih.”
Third, President Muizzu advocated for stronger cooperation among Muslim nations. “The future cannot be built in silos,” he said, proposing cross-border research hubs and innovation incubators. He urged institutions like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to shape global policies on science and sustainability, and praised the International Islamic University Malaysia as a potential beacon for producing “scholars who are not only intellectually rigorous but spiritually anchored.”
The speech took a poignant turn as President Muizzu addressed the suffering of Muslims, particularly in Palestine. “Their suffering is a scar on our collective conscience,” he said, unequivocally condemning Israel’s occupation as “an affront to international law and a stain on humanity.” He called for solidarity not just in protest but in ensuring that “every Muslim child, whether in Gaza or Kuala Lumpur, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and lead.”
President Muizzu also highlighted the deep ties between the Maldives and Malaysia, describing their bond as “built on the unshakeable foundation of Islamic solidarity.” He noted the university’s role as a “shining symbol” of this relationship, with many Maldivian graduates contributing to their nation’s development. “I firmly believe that IIUM can play a transformative role in supporting the growth and excellence of the Islamic University of Maldives,” he said.
Drawing inspiration from history, President Muizzu recalled the world’s first university, Al-Qarawiyyin in Fas, Morocco, founded by a Muslim woman, Fatima al-Fihri, and the Muslim scholars who preserved Greek and Roman texts, paving the way for the European Renaissance. “Our story is not one of decline—it is one of resurgence,” he declared. “The next great discoveries in medicine, clean energy, or quantum computing can and must come from the Muslim world.”
He concluded with a call to action, quoting the Quran: “And say: ‘O my Lord, increase me in knowledge’” (20:114). “Let us not honor our legacy with nostalgia—but with ambition,” he said. “Let us build a future where our children do not look to others for answers, but lead the world in knowledge, compassion, and justice.”
The address, delivered at a university renowned for its commitment to Islamic scholarship, resonated deeply with students, faculty, and dignitaries. As President Muizzu stepped down, his words stood as both a tribute to a storied past and a clarion call for a revitalized Islamic future.
