NEW YORK: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had the opportunity to lead the shahada (Islamic declaration of faith) for a man who embraced Islam after performing prayers and delivering the Friday sermon at the Islamic Cultural Centre of New York (ICCNY) yesterday.
As the Prime Minister circulated and greeted the congregants after presenting a donation of the Quran from the government to the mosque, the event's emcee announced that a man known as Andrew wanted to convert to Islam and requested Anwar to come forward.
Subsequently, a mosque official was seen inviting Anwar, as the emcee announced that the Prime Minister would oversee the conversion of the man.
According to a media officer from the Prime Minister's Office, the event was coincidental and not part of the official agenda.
The Prime Minister is the first foreign head of state to be granted the honour of delivering a sermon at the historic ICCNY mosque, which was the first mosque opened in New York City on Sept 25, 1995, and also houses the headquarters of the United Nations.
After completing the prayers, the emcee expressed gratitude to Anwar for accepting the mosque's invitation to pray and deliver the sermon.
He noted that the mosque's congregants were fortunate to have the Prime Minister, who receives international recognition, especially in the Muslim world, join them in congregational prayers at the mosque.
"We are grateful that the Prime Minister of Malaysia has accepted the invitation, and the congregants have the opportunity to meet a leader like Anwar," he said.
During his sermon, Anwar urged Muslims to remain united in the face of challenges, including threats to the religion posed by Islamophobia.
"We are advised by Allah through the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad to engage in missionary work to provide an understanding to non-Muslims.
"In addition to promoting Islamic unity, we also need to foster relationships with non-Muslims so that we can help them better understand Islam," he said.
Furthermore, he called on Muslims not only to deepen their religious knowledge but also to acquire a wide range of knowledge and skills in technology fields.
The Prime Minister also informed them about Malaysia Madani, which he established after becoming Prime Minister, based on the Islamic state of Madinah led by Prophet Muhammad.