SCOTLAND BOOST FOR ISLAMIC CONCEPT
Commonwealth sec-gen’s visit to be used to promote ‘Rahmatan lil Alamin’
THE working visit by Commonwealth secretary-general Patricia Scotland to Malaysia next week will be used as a platform to promote the Islamic policy concept of “Rahmatan lil Alamin” (mercy to all creation) on a global stage.
Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) chairman Datuk Seri Syed Hussien Alhabshee said Scotland’s visit followed an invitation by the religious agency as part of efforts to promote Islamic universal values.
Syed Hussein said Malaysia was a model “rahmah nation”, which has the potential to be accepted by the international community.
“The working visit of the secretary-general to Malaysia was mooted when I met her in London last year.
“Among the issues discussed included a comparison of religions and on the Commonwealth section, an emphasis on the issue of faith,” he told a press conference to announce Scotland’s working visit, which will take place from Feb 9 to 15.
Present were MAIWP chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Aziz Jusoh and Emerging Dialogue Asia chairman Adrain Jerome.
Last year, the cabinet endorsed the country’s new Islamic administrative policy paper based on the “Rahmah” principles.
“Rahmah” stands for six qualities: amicable (ramah), peaceful (aman), harmonious (harmoni),
genial (mesra), universal (alami) and respectful (hormat).
Syed Hussien said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (religious affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa had given MAIWP the mandate to promote the Rahmatan lil Alamin concept globally.
“Hence, during Scotland’s oneweek visit, we will highlight the Rahmatan lil Alamin concept in light of current issues such as war, violence and Islamophobia.
“We hope that this will not be a one-off visit, but forms an agenda that can be expanded and accepted at the Commonwealth level.”
Syed Hussien said Scotland would deliver a keynote address at the Faith in Commonwealth Seminar, themed “Commonwealth: Call for Peace, Understanding and Rahmah (Mercy)” on Monday at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation here.
On the same day, she is expected to meet Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, his deputy, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, as well as ministers.
On Tuesday, Scotland will launch the King Henry School VIII Commonwealth Scholarship to assist needy students in Commonwealth countries.
Scotland, who is a New Straits
Times contributor, is the first woman to hold the post since the inception of the confederation in 1949. She was elected in 2015, replacing Kamalesh Sharma from India.