Anwar receives inaugural Sheikh Abu Bakar Foundation Excellence Award

KERALAM, INDIA — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim received the first-ever Sheikh Abu Bakar Foundation Excellence Award on September 14, 2023. The prestigious honor was bestowed upon Anwar for his extensive public service and contributions in education, Islamic scholarship, institutional development, international dialogue, and human well-being.

The award was presented by Grand Mufti of India, Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, at an event called "Gathering of Honour for the Prime Minister of Malaysia" at Jamia Markaz, a renowned Islamic institution in India. As part of the presentation, Anwar received a plaque and a copy of Sahih Bukhari, a revered collection of hadiths. The recognition took place during Anwar's visit to India, aimed at strengthening ties between Malaysia and India and exploring new avenues of collaboration.

In a statement read during the ceremony, the foundation’s Rector, Dr. Roshan Nurani, highlighted Anwar’s perseverance, visionary leadership, and commitment to dialogue, equitable development, education, and human dignity throughout his career. The citation emphasized that Anwar’s impact went beyond his political role, particularly in preserving and promoting the Islamic scholarly tradition.

Earlier, Anwar met with Sheikh Abubakr after the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. Sheikh Abubakr, who has been the 10th Grand Mufti of India since 2019, was previously honored with the Hijri Awards in Malaysia for his scholarly achievements and humanitarian efforts. The Jamia Markaz has also forged academic ties with several top universities in Malaysia.