Anwar attends Madani Honorary Lecture Series

PUTRAJAYA - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today attended the Madani Honorary Lecture Series on Sheikh Dr Yusof Al-Qaradawi at Seri Perdana here.

Anwar in his speech said he was very moved by the presence of Sheikh Yusof’s sons, namely Dr Muhammad Al-Qaradawi and Abdul Rahman Al-Qaradawi, who were willing to share about the late Muslim scholar’s biography and struggle.

"This is a very significant occasion and at the same time sentimental for me. I felt very moved when I found out that Muhammad contacted me and wanted to hand over Sheikh Yusof's masterpiece to me as a form of remembrance.

"My friends and I in Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim) were actually close to Sheikh Yusof, ... (he) inspired the struggle that brought the message of Islam. He helped us during the era of Islamic revival (at the time) and the progress of young people, as well as reminding us of the need for wisdom and patience (preaching)," he said.

Anwar also said that Sheikh Yusof had written a letter in 2013, expressing support for him and his allies to win the 13th General Election and form the government of Malaysia.

"Nothing can exchange or pay for the contribution he made not only to us but to mankind. We remember him dearly," he said.

Sheikh Yusof Al-Qaradawi died on Sept 26 last year at the age of 96.

He authored more than 120 books during his lifetime and received various recognitions for his work, including those on Islamic law.

For his services in the Islamic world, the Malaysian government awarded him the ‘Tokoh Maal Hijrah’ in 2009.

At the event, Muhammad handed over the Encyclopaedia of Al-Imam Yusof Al Qaradawi, which includes the Islamic scholar’s works in the fields of faith, jurisprudence, religious knowledge, fatwas, interpretation, hadith, history, thoughts and sermons.

The prime minister's wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was also present. - BERNAMA