IT IS NOT THAT EASY TO
FORGET HIM
25th IIUM ANNIVERSARY
16th February, 2008
Assalaamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh.
O
Yang Amat Berhormat Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad,
The Founder of this International Islamic University Malaysia,
o
Yang
Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali,
o
Yang Berbahagia Rector Prof. Dato’ Dr. Syed
Arabi Idid,
o
Yang Berbahagia Ustaz Hamidon, Deputy Rector
Student Affairs and Chairman of the organizing committee,
o
His Excellencies, member of the Board of
Governors and the Majlis.
o
His Excellencies, representatives of the
Embassies and High Commissions of the OIC countries.
o
Deputy Rectors,
o
The Academic and Administrative staff of IIUM,
o
Muslim Brothers and Sisters.
o
On behalf of the staff, students and alumni of
IIUM I take this opportunity to welcome Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr. Mahathir
Mohamad, the founder of this university, and Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr. Siti
Hasmah, to our campus, to deliver a keynote address on the occasion of the
university’s 25th Anniversary.
The presence of both of you, on this meaningful
occasion, makes all of us proud and feel very honored indeed.
It is the feeling, and believe, of all the
scholars and thinkers of this university, that the university, the
International Islamic University Malaysia, or the IIUM, is your greatest
lasting contribution to the Muslim Ummah and humanity.
Our graduates are already beginning to play their roles in the development planning, and processes, in their respective countries; more of them are already appearing, as supporting personnel, in the OIC and other international conferences involving their countries.
Quite a number have become Ministers, and successful businessmen. In fact one of them is already trying, and preparing, to become the president of his country.
Our graduates are already beginning to play their roles in the development planning, and processes, in their respective countries; more of them are already appearing, as supporting personnel, in the OIC and other international conferences involving their countries.
Quite a number have become Ministers, and successful businessmen. In fact one of them is already trying, and preparing, to become the president of his country.
IIUM has now become the link between Malaysia
and the Muslim World in particular, and the world, in general, as our students
and graduates also represent the non-OIC countries. Since September 11, we
have volunteered to be the bridge between Islam and the West, AND the rest.
The International Institute for Muslim Unity,
or IIMU, whose formation was approved by you, is now a famous institute in the
Muslim world, having successfully organized many meetings, seminars,
symposiums, dialogues and conferences. Looking at the capacities and abilities
of our students and graduates on the debating floors of many forums I believe
that your dream of making war a crime will eventually come true.
The achievements that you have brought about to
Malaysia is a model for developing and developed nations.
All the monumental projects and establishments that Malaysia now has, has become examples and sources of inspiration to many nations.
Malaysia under your leadership is a proud nation and that period in Malaysia’s history is not easy to forget, and can never be forgotten.
MALAYSIANS
Where before your period the Chinese and Indian students, overseas, always describe themselves as ‘Chinese and Indians from Malaysia’, after the successes brought by you they describe themselves as just ‘ Malaysians’. Where Malaysia was always described as a country near Singapore, Singapore is now regarded as a small island, south of Malaysia.
o
All the monumental projects and establishments that Malaysia now has, has become examples and sources of inspiration to many nations.
Malaysia under your leadership is a proud nation and that period in Malaysia’s history is not easy to forget, and can never be forgotten.
MALAYSIANS
Where before your period the Chinese and Indian students, overseas, always describe themselves as ‘Chinese and Indians from Malaysia’, after the successes brought by you they describe themselves as just ‘ Malaysians’. Where Malaysia was always described as a country near Singapore, Singapore is now regarded as a small island, south of Malaysia.
o
Malaysians are now awakened to their potentials
with the slogan ‘Malaysia Boleh’ where Malaysians have shown their ability to sail
oceans around the world, to swim across the English Channel, to climb Mount
Everest and recently become an astronaut.
o
Above all there is this university. It is the
focus for education of Muslim students in Muslim nations, and it is also a
popular subject for education in Muslim forums of non-Muslim countries.
o
However it is the future that matters now. It is
for that reason that we are now celebrating our achievements of the past 25
years, when you played a major role in showing the way.
o
The Keynote Address that you are about to
deliver is just the beginning of an effort to show the way for our young
generation to learn and follow.
We pray to Allah s.w.t that Tun and Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah will continue to be in good health and have the capacity to move around.
Should you find -
- the roads and highways, that you built, are too rough to travel on;
should you find -
- the bridges that you built, difficult to cross;
- should the seaports or the airports that you built, you find difficulty in harboring your ship or landing your aeroplane;
- should the gates to the gardens you built, be locked,
- we welcome you to the world where your journey will be smooth, and you, with your wife, are expected, waited, respected and appreciated.
We pray to Allah s.w.t that Tun and Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah will continue to be in good health and have the capacity to move around.
Should you find -
- the roads and highways, that you built, are too rough to travel on;
should you find -
- the bridges that you built, difficult to cross;
- should the seaports or the airports that you built, you find difficulty in harboring your ship or landing your aeroplane;
- should the gates to the gardens you built, be locked,
- we welcome you to the world where your journey will be smooth, and you, with your wife, are expected, waited, respected and appreciated.
o
Our alumni are ready to receive you should we
be informed of your foreign itinerary.
To us you are never retired.
To us you are never retired.
o
Thank you again Tun, for making the existence
of IIUM, possible.
Thank you.
Wabillaahi Taufik Wassalaamu’alaikum.
N. B. This speech was delivered on 16th February, 2008, i. e. about 14 months before Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi resigned from being the 5th Prime Minister of Malaysia. Tun Dr. Mahathir was at that time barred from attending any UMNO function, even in his home state of Kedah, despite the Prime Minister being his chosen successor.
N. B. This speech was delivered on 16th February, 2008, i. e. about 14 months before Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi resigned from being the 5th Prime Minister of Malaysia. Tun Dr. Mahathir was at that time barred from attending any UMNO function, even in his home state of Kedah, despite the Prime Minister being his chosen successor.
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