By Nana Uzir
GOMBAK, 4 February 2015:  International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) was honoured to be part of  a global forum when it hosted the 4th International Seminar on Interfaith Harmony & Tolerance and Award Giving Ceremony 2015. This forum was being held for two days from 4 to 5 February.
Those who attended the forum were, among others, IIUM’s President, Tan Sri Dr. Rais Yatim; Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, UAE, Mr. Hakam Al-Hashemi; Chairman of Ma’din Academy, India, Sayyid Ibrahimul Khaleelul Bukhari; and Rector of IIUM, Prof. Dato Sri Dr. Zaleha Kamaruddin.
This event received full support from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development of UAE, the Department of National Unity and Integration, Prime Minister’s Department, Malaysia, and Ma’din Academy, India.
The aim of this event is to spread the message of harmony and tolerance among the followers of the different religions, faiths and beliefs. The event has been held among academicians and students because it is hoped that teachers, students and researchers could commit themselves on record once a year to peace and harmony.
The Rector of IIUM, Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Zaleha Kamaruddin said in her speech: “The differences we share should not be the source of conflict, rather they add beauty in our lives through diversities, thus should unite us through our common values and ideologies.”
She said that the commonality among us would bridge the gaps to create harmony and tolerance among fellow human beings.
Lecturers, students, researchers and guests were given an insight into the Interfaith Harmony Week.
As recipient of IIUM ‘Life time Outstanding Achievement Award 2015 at the  International Seminar on Interfaith Harmony and Tolerance  2015’, Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak, said in his recorded message: “All of us who live and work here can tell the story of interfaith harmony and tolerance. Each of us is a vital part of it.”
The organising committee of International Interfaith Harmony Award and Seminar has taken a decision to present the prestigious International Interfaith Harmony Award to Sheikh Nahyan because of his dedication and contribution in the field of interfaith harmony and tolerance.
The inaugural session ended with a keynote address by the President of IIUM, Tan Sri Dr. Rais Yatim when officiating the International Seminar on Interfaith Harmony And Tolerance. Â In his speech, he was overwhelmed to note that the IIUM Global Forum was going to host the 4th International Seminar on Interfaith Harmony & Tolerance and Award Giving Ceremony 2015″ in collaboration with institutions such as the Prime Minister’s Department( Malaysia), the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development of UAE and few more.
He told the seminar: “I believe that common values, ideologies and morals show how our shared features or attributes far outweigh the differences we have, thus this seminar will help spread the message of harmony and tolerance which will ultimately make way for establishing harmony and tolerance among the people of diverse faiths.”***
Photos by Wan Eizzul Wan Zulkifli