KUALA LUMPUR: Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah today opened the first session of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) 39th convocation ceremony.
Tunku Azizah, who is also the constitutional head of IIUM, when delivering her royal address at the IIUM Cultural Centre (ICC) Main Hall, extended her congratulations to all the graduates and award recipients at the ceremony.
In her speech, Her Majesty also expressed hope that the knowledge that the graduates have gained at IIUM will be used to make the world a better place.
"Never forget our role as the Khalifah to serve not only Allah Almighty but the ummah as well. Do good always, help those who are in need, lend your hand to liberate those who are oppressed," said Tunku Azizah.
Her Majesty at the same time reminded everyone to stay united with Palestine.
"While we may feel helpless watching the despair of our ummah, especially our brothers and sisters in Palestine, we must never forget that the boundless power of prayer combined with the illuminating force of knowledge and truth has the transformative potential to bring us out of the darkest of catastrophes.
"Remember, alone we may not do much, but together and united we can always do wonders," said Tunku Azizah.
At the convocation, Her Majesty presented an Honorary Doctorate in Built Environment to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) Executive Director, Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif.
The former mayor of the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) was conferred the award in recognition of her contribution to urban development and sustainability.
Meanwhile, four individuals received the title of Professor Emeritus/Emerita, namely Prof Dr Noraini Mohd Noor, Prof Datuk Dr Koutoub Mustafa Sano, Prof Datuk Dr Mansor Ibrahim, and Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Azmi Omar.
Her Majesty also presented the Ibn Khaldun Merit Award for Global Social Transformation to the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), which has been sharing and contributing its expertise and knowledge with IIUM for a long time. --BERNAMA