Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Delivers a Powerful Keynote at ICONCIDI25, Marking 30 Years of Civilisational Dialogue at Universiti Malaya

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Delivers a Powerful Keynote at ICONCIDI25, Marking 30 Years of Civilisational Dialogue at Universiti Malaya

Kuala Lumpur, 15 April 2025 (Tuesday) — Universiti Malaya proudly hosted the International Conference on Civilisational Dialogue 2025 (ICONCIDI25) in commemoration of 30 years of civilisational dialogue at the university. Held at Dewan Tunku Canselor from 1:30 PM to 6:00 PM, the event brought together thought leaders, scholars, policymakers, and students under the theme “Intercivilisational Dialogue for Inclusivity and Sustainability.”

The conference was elevated by a Special Address and Closing Remarks from The Most Honorable Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, who delivered an impassioned and unscripted keynote that resonated deeply with attendees.

In his speech, the Prime Minister expressed sincere appreciation to the organisers and participants. He also commended ministers, deputy ministers, and Members of Parliament for making time to attend the intellectually rich conference — a forum, he noted, that often does not appeal to mainstream political interest but is essential for nation-building and global understanding.

“This kind of intellectual engagement doesn’t necessarily bring political popularity or win votes — but it is exactly what we need to build a mature, harmonious society,” he said.

High-Level Government Participation

Among the prominent figures in attendance were:

• Higher Education Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir

• National Unity Minister, Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang

• Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, Adam Adli Abd Halim

Their presence underscored the event’s importance on both academic and national levels, affirming the government’s support for ongoing intercivilisational engagement.

Reflections on Great Thinkers and Civilisational Ethics

The Prime Minister’s keynote took participants on a journey through the works of key intellectuals such as Edward Said, whose book Orientalism has become foundational in critiquing cultural imperialism and postcolonial narratives. Anwar highlighted Said’s insights into power dynamics and identity politics as still deeply relevant today.

He also referenced Tu Weiming, a renowned Chinese philosopher of Confucianism who has taught at Harvard and Peking University. Anwar praised Tu’s comparative work on Confucian and Islamic ethics, especially in areas like metaphysics, cosmology, and moral reasoning.

“These dialogues between civilisations,” said Anwar, “are not only academic exercises. They are necessary to cultivate mutual understanding and respect in an increasingly polarised world.”

Guided by the Qur’anic Spirit of Dialogue

The Prime Minister reaffirmed his long-standing belief that civilisational dialogue is not merely an academic pursuit, but a moral imperative rooted in divine guidance. He cited the Qur’anic verse from Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13), which embodies the core principle of intercivilisational understanding:

“O mankind! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Verily, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.”

(Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:13)

This verse, known for its call to unity through diversity, served as a guiding theme throughout the conference.

A Personal Legacy of Dialogue

For Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, ICONCIDI25 was deeply personal. He recalled how, in 1995, during his tenure as Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, he delivered the very first keynote on civilisational dialogue at Universiti Malaya. The idea for the initiative was proposed by Professor Emeritus Osman Bakar, leading to the founding of the Centre for Civilisational Dialogue (CCD).

One year later, in 1996, Anwar published his influential work The Asian Renaissance, laying out his vision for intellectual, cultural, and civilisational revival in Asia.

Despite the lack of political capital gained through such initiatives, Anwar reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to continuing this work:

“We must invest in understanding — not just for diplomatic or academic purposes, but to rebuild trust and bridge divides across faiths, nations, and peoples.”

Looking Ahead

ICONCIDI25 featured vibrant panel sessions, student contributions, and cultural showcases, all reinforcing the need for sustained engagement across cultures and disciplines.

As Universiti Malaya celebrates three decades of leading civilisational discourse, ICONCIDI25 stands as a powerful affirmation of Malaysia’s role in shaping inclusive, ethical, and sustainable global conversations — today and for generations to come.

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