Persidangan Muslim baharu bina jambatan menerusi dialog

The second edition of the Community Muslim Youth Congress (NMCC) 2026 will take place at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur on September 13. Organized by the Al Khadeem Foundation (AKF), the congress aims to foster dialogue based on love, respect, and empathy within Islam, rather than anger, hatred, or a desire to prove one community to be superior to another.

AKF founder and president Sheikh Hussain Yee believes that young Muslims, or mualafs, can be part of the solution to social and identity issues in Malaysia not because they are different from each other, but because many mualafs have experienced life on both sides of Malaysia's social divide. Many mualafs continue to live alongside non-Muslim families and communities while maintaining their Muslim identity.

They represent a group most qualified to discuss the polarization in Malaysia as they understand the existing divide and can help bridge it, according to a statement. The initiative also acknowledges that the young Muslim community itself is not homogenous, with various perspectives, including extreme viewpoints or those who prefer a simple approach.

Sheikh Hussain emphasized that instead of avoiding these differences, AKF wants to bring all parties to the table with dignity and respect. The goal is not for mualafs to simply follow popular public opinion or to stubbornly hold onto religious beliefs, but to have a belief about why they see things from a different perspective, highlighting their experiences for national unity, he said.

Sheikh Hussain believes Malaysia needs such discussions, handled with love, respect, and communal spirit, especially as public discourse on race and religion becomes increasingly tense, with social media often amplifying misinformation and prejudice. This is the thinking behind the second NMCC congress, themed "Bridging Two Worlds, Healing One Nation," which will bring together young Muslims, lifelong Muslims, and Malaysians from various backgrounds for a discussion on religious beliefs, identity, and social harmony.

Notable panelists include Nelson Fernandez, Executive Chairman of FMT Media Sdn Bhd; Sheahnee Iman Lee, founder and former newsreader; and Adnan Lee, Chairman of Fruits MBG. The congress is scheduled to run from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur.