KUALA LUMPUR: The upcoming working visit by Commonwealth secretary-general Patricia Scotland to the country next week will be used as a platform to promote the Islamic policy concept of “Rahmatan lil Alamin” (mercy to all creation) at a global stage.
Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) chairman Datuk Seri Syed Hussien Alhabshee said Scotland’s visit followed an invitation by the religious agency as part of efforts to promote Islamic universal values.
Syed Hussein said Malaysia stood as a model “rahmah nation” which had the potential to be accepted by the international community.
“The working visit of the secretary-general to Malaysia was set up when I first met her in London last year.
“Among the issues discussed include a comparison of religions, while on the Commonwealth section, an emphasis on the issue of faith,” he told a press conference to announced Scotland’s working visit from Feb 9 to 15.
Also present were MAIWP chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Aziz Jusoh and Emerging Dialogue Asia chairman Adrain Jerome.
Last year, the Cabinet endorsed the country’s new Islamic administrative policy paper, based on the Rahmah principles.
Rahmah stands for six qualities: amicable (ramah), peaceful (aman), harmonious (harmoni), genial (mesra), universal (alami) and respectful (hormat).
Syed Hussien said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa had given MAIWP the mandate to promote the Rahmatan lil Alamin concept globally.
“Hence, during her one-week visit in the country, we will highlight Malaysia’s Rahmatan lil Alamin concept in light of current issues on war, violence and Islamophobia.
“We hope that this visit will not be just a one-off visit, but forms an agenda which can be expanded and accepted at the Commonwealth level.”
Syed Hussien said Scotland would deliver a keynote address during the Faith in Commonwealth Seminar, which is themed “Commonwealth: Call for Peace, Understanding and Rahmah (Mercy)” on Feb 10 at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (Istac) in Jalan Duta.
On the same day, she is expected to meet Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as well as Cabinet ministers.
On Feb 11, Scotland will launch the King Henry School VIII Commonwealth Scholarship to assist the less fortunate students in Commonwealth countries.
Scotland is the first woman to hold the post since the inception of the confederation in 1949. She was elected in 2015, replacing Kamalesh Sharma from India.