Written By Sharika Tasnim
Edited By Aleeya Balqis
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, bestowed the esteemed title of Royal Professor upon Tan Sri Dr Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas | Credit: Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, 3rd November 2024: In a historic ceremony held at Istana Negara, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, bestowed the esteemed title of Royal Professor upon Tan Sri Dr Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas, recognizing his lifelong dedication, particularly in the field of Islamic education. The 93-year-old scholar, renowned both in Malaysia and internationally, becomes only the second individual to hold this title, following his cousin, the late Royal Professor Ungku Abdul Aziz Ungku Abdul Hamid, who received the honour in 1978.
Distinguished guests, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir attended the conferment ceremony. A grant of RM500,000 was awarded by the government alongside the title in recognition of Syed Muhammad Naquib’s invaluable contributions to Islamic thought, education, and the intellectual landscape of Malaysia.
Syed Muhammad Naquib, a pioneer of the concept “Islamisation of Knowledge”, is the founder of the Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC). His intellectual legacy extends across multiple disciplines, including religious education, philosophy, theology, history, and the arts, profoundly impacting contemporary Islamic civilization.
Minister Zambry hailed Dr Syed Muhammad as a highly respected contemporary thinker, and noted that his groundbreaking contributions have greatly enriched Malay literature, civilization studies, and Islamic scholarship worldwide.
Dr Syed Muhammad was instrumental in presenting the concept of an Islamic university at the First World Conference on Muslim Education at King Abdul Aziz University, Makkah in 1977. His vision laid the groundwork for the establishment of Islamic universities worldwide, including in Malaysia. His contributions also played a critical role in the foundation of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), where he shaped the university’s policies, philosophy, and logo, embedding the motto Zidni Ilman (increase me in knowledge) in 1970.
Minister Zambry expressed gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, and the Conference of Rulers for endorsing the conferment, and highlighted Dr Syed Muhammad’s pivotal role in Malaysia’s academic and intellectual evolution.
The conferment of the Royal Professor title to Tan Sri Dr Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas symbolizes not only a personal honour but a national tribute to the values of scholarship, integrity, and cultural preservation. It serves as a beacon of inspiration for Malaysia’s academic community, encouraging the pursuit of knowledge that is rooted in wisdom, ethics, and a commitment to humanity.—TBC
Comments