At the kind invitation of the management of the International Islamic University Malaysia, H.E. Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the Academy, participated in the official opening of the fortieth anniversary celebration of the foundation of the International Islamic University Malaysia on Saturday, 30 Shaw. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the Academy, participated in the official opening of the celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the foundation of the International Islamic University of Malaysia, on Saturday, 30 Shawal 30 1444, corresponding to 20 May 2023, at the headquarters of the University in the capital city, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, under the patronage of Her Majesty Sultana Tunku Haja Aziza Amina Maimouna Iskandariya, Consort of the King of Malaysia, and Constitutional President of the University.

The ceremony was opened with the recitation of the Holy Quran. HerMajesty delivered a speech on this occasion, which she described as the most crucial moment in the history of an ancient university that has produced and continues to produce generations of distinguished leaders in various intellectual, scientific, religious, social, economic and political fields, praising what the university has done and continues to do through its programs of remarkable efforts and commendable work in the field of training generations. It is highly respected what the university has accomplished during forty years of remarkable scientific achievements, whether at the local, regional, or international level. His Majesty invited the university to move forward in improving its programs and to continue preparing a generation of young people who work to advance their society, help their people and contribute to building their homeland, and strengthen it with security, safety and stability.

The opening speech was followed by a unique historical event: the awarding, for the first time in the history of the university, of an honorary doctorate to His Majesty Sultan Abdullah Al-Mustakfi Billah, son of the late Sultan Ahmed Shah Al-Musta’in Billah, King of Malaysia, in recognition of His Majesty’s outstanding efforts in the field of reform and development, and in celebration of His Majesty’s wisdom, deep sophistication, successful leadership and remarkable ability to resolve internal crises, as well as his well-known work in providing the means for a decent life, and his great care for parishioners at all levels.

H.E. Prof. Sri Zulkifli Abdul Razzaq, rector of the university, gave an overview of His Majesty’s biography, accompanied by commemorative photos of some of the milestones in His Majesty’s life. The ceremony ended with a directive speech by His Majesty the King, in which he expressed his thanks to the university for granting him this honorary certificate, praising the vision, mission and achievements of the university over the past forty years, and emphasizing his pride in what the university has achieved during these four decades of giving, and called on the university’s leaders to redouble their efforts to promote its mission and excellence. His Excellency also called on university graduates around the world to actively participate in building their communities, serving them and putting their knowledge to work for the nation and humanity.

At the end of the ceremony, the university offered a lunch in honor of His Majesty. His Majesty took commemorative photos with the guests of honor and participants, including the Secretary General, who came to greet His Majesty and take a souvenir photo with him and asked Allah to bless him successfully. He also prayed for his father, the late Sultan Ahmed Shah Al-Musta’in Billah, former King of Malaysia, who awarded His Majesty the Royal Medal 16 years ago in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the advancement of education in Malaysia in general and the International Islamic University of Malaysia in particular. It is noteworthy that His Excellency had previously worked as a professor and vice-chancellor of the university for 16 years, and thousands of students of different levels and nationalities have graduated from him.