Malaysian Premier Urges Historical Inspiration to Tackle Modern Global Challenges at Indian Ocean Conference



Malaysian Premier Urges Historical Inspiration to Tackle Modern Global Challenges at Indian Ocean Conference

Gombak, Malaysia | April 7, 2025 — At the opening of the “Conference on Cosmopolitanism and Collaboration Across Civilizations in the Indian Ocean,” Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim called for leveraging the values of the past to address pressing global issues such as climate change, maritime security, and sustainable development.

Speaking at the Senate Hall of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Gombak campus, Prime Minister Anwar emphasized that the guiding principles of diversity, inclusivity, partnership, and cooperation—hallmarks of historical civilizations—are vital to solving today’s complex challenges.

“These ideas are central to Malaysia’s Madani framework,” Anwar stated, referring to his administration's flagship governance philosophy rooted in civilizational values. He further cited the Constitution of Madinah as an early model of pluralistic governance, embodying coexistence, justice, and mutual respect among different faiths and communities.

Highlighting the legacy of Admiral Zheng He, the 15th-century Chinese navigator whose maritime voyages fostered peaceful relations across the Indian Ocean, Anwar said,

“We must draw inspiration from this rich past—from China to Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa—to advance diplomacy, trade, and cultural engagement.”

The event was co-organized by the Zheng He Forum in collaboration with IIUM, bringing together leading scholars and experts to explore the role of historical maritime interactions in shaping modern civilizational collaboration.

Keynote speeches were delivered by Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr. Osman Bakar and Prof. Emeritus Dr. John Voll, both of whom emphasized the enduring relevance of cosmopolitan values and inter-civilizational dialogue. The forum also featured expert insights from Prof. Dr. Haiyun Ma, Prof. Dr. Phar Kim Beng, and Dato’ Abdul Majit Ahmad Khan, each offering nuanced perspectives on the maritime legacy of Zheng He and the ongoing potential of Islamic-Confucian engagement.

Titled “Cosmopolitanism and Collaboration Across Civilizations in the Indian Ocean: Madani, Islamic-Confucian Dialogue, and Zheng He’s Maritime Legacy,” the half-day academic conference served as a platform for exploring how historical trade, religion, and migration have shaped contemporary governance models, regional cooperation, and cultural understanding.

“Dialogue is not just a tool but a foundation for peace, shared prosperity, and understanding across cultures,” echoed one of the panelists, underscoring the event’s central theme.

The conference concluded with a call to strengthen platforms such as the Zheng He Forum in advancing peaceful, inclusive, and collaborative solutions in an increasingly interconnected yet fragmented world.




 

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