DR MOHD SAFAR HASIM

Today, the 21st of July 2009, is a historic day for Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir will be proclaimed the new Chancellor of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. His Majesty is the third Chancellor after Tuanku Jaafar Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman, and Abdul Razak Hussein. A second historic occassion is the awarding of the Honorary PhD degree to Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia.

The arrival of the Yang DiPertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan at the Dectar compund Photo Credit: PRO UKM

YABgh Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, former Prime Minister receiving his Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy scroll from the Chancellor of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir in a special ceremony today. The award was given in recognition of his role as the nation's leader and for introducing innovations including the concept of Civilisational Islam in nation building. In his speech, he elaborated on the Islam Hadhari concept which he said was not a new religion or a new mazhab. It was just an approach towards development. It too can accept universal values so long as they not against Islam. The Director of Institute Islam Hadhari, Prof Dato' Mohd Yusof Othman who delivered the public lecture in the form of a seloka, managed to mimic Tun Abdullah's northern way of speaking. Tun Abdullah stressed that Muslims should show the way that the teachings of Islam, which is based on moderation and tolerance and practice high values in life, br...