News
Visit to Malaysia
The Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW) had a work visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 30th April to 4th May 2019. The first and primary event of the visit is a meeting with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, at his office. The activities carried out by the organization are presented to him. The Prime Minister was briefed on the International Civil Society Academy and also consulted regarding some other incoming future projects. He expressed his gratitude for the visit and he appreciate the good work conducted by the union. The Prime Minister also shares his view on bringing the Islamic world together through adept understanding of the Qur’anic values and its messages.
The second stop is a visit to meet with Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim at his home. He had just undergo operations in Istanbul on July 2018. In that meeting with the President of Justice Party, one of the governing parties, information on UNIW and its projects were shared. He was consulted on the International Civil Society Academy, and of the coming annual Family Conference, scheduled on the end of the year. We expressed that we see them only as a political leader, but also an important opinion leader in the Islamic world. They were also invited to attend an important future event, the Africa NGOs Conference.
UNIW delegation had the opportunity to meet with Turkey Ambassador to Kuala Lumpur, Dr. Merve Safa Kavakci. We extend our congratulations to Dr. Merve on her appointment as the ambassador. Dr. Merve, had joined our Islamophobia Conference on 2007 and are closely familiar with our union and the works of UNIW. She look forward for more extensive consultations among these two regions. The ambassador also stated that the embassy are willing to support the activities in the region, that are within the framework of UNIW.
UNIW at the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM)
Our delegation had met with Dr. Shukran, the Dean of Kuliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (KIRKHS) at his office and presented information on UNIW works to him. In particular, he was briefed on the conference involving Sufi leaders last week and gave out detailed information on the African Congress and the International Civil Society Academy that the groundworks are currently underway. Our works related to family institution were also explained. He was briefed on the International Family Institute and its High Advisory Board meetings which be held periodically, with a Family Conference scheduled in this year. The dean is pleased with our visit and to learn of such institution in the Islamic world. He was delighted to know that the courses taught at their faculties are in align and complement with the works executed by UNIW. The delegation also met with the Deputy Rector of International Islamic University of Malaysia, Dr. Nor Faridah Abdul Manaf. Highlighting that IIUM had championed World Debate Championships, she points out that we are still lacking the resources to advocate and defend the rights of Muslims; such that in addition to UNIW, we may need to establish International Muslim Lawyers Association and International Muslim Journalist Association, in the global arena and to have trained professional public relation officers in this field. She reiterates that the experience and knowledge resided in IIUM is always open to train the new generation to develop their debating and negotiating capability.
The delegation also had the time to meet with the Director of International Relations Unit of the International Islamic University of Malaysia, Dr. Dawood A. Al Hidabi, and consulted him on the development of the Islamic world and UNIW. He was informed of UNIW’s projects. He stated that he would support the workings of the International Civil Society Academy.
Meeting with UNIW’s Malaysian members
A meeting was held at the activity centre of one of our members, the WADAH Association. The President of WADAH, Mr. Ahmad Azam, who is also the Deputy Secretary General of UNIW, was congratulated on his appointment to the Independant Permanent Human Rights Commission of OIC. The meeting was also attended by GPM, ABIM, FGN and other regional members. In the meeting, our travel schedule and UNIW future projects were discussed.
Attending “International Conference on Women Security and Global Challenges”
On the last day of our Malaysia trip, the UNIW delegation participated in a conference organized by our members, with the guest of honor is the wife of Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, that is Dato’ Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister and a member of our International Family Institute. She had previously attended our conference on “Women and Family”. UNIW Secretary General, Atty. Ali Kurt had the honour of giving a speech in the conference’s opening session, followed by a comprehensive speech by Dr. Merve Safa Kavakci and other panels of the program;
– Adina Kamarudin, (Director General, Department of Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia)
– Dr. Saadiah Mohamad, (Lecturer at UiTM University)
– Syariffah Rashidah Syed Othman, (Director of Cyber Security Agency)
– Dr. Nor Zuraida Zainal, (President of Asian Federation of Psychiatric Association)
– Dr. Haslinda Abdullah, (President of Family Empowerment Association, FAME)
The program ended with the closing speech by Dato’ Seri Wan Azizah, the Deputy Prime Minister.
ABIM Global Forum: “The State of Unity & Togetherness Throughout the Islamic World”
In addition to the members of the delegation, representatives of regional NGOs, as well as of Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim; representative of Malaysia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Adli; and also from Institut Darul Ehsan who recently had visited UNIW headquarters, had attended a discussion organized by ABIM. At the discussion, the latest political and social developments in different regions of the Islamic world were evaluated. The delegation members also corroborate the latest developments in their respective countries. Our Malaysian colleagues also shared information on the latest political developments of the country.