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PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has received the inaugural Sheikh Abu Bakar Foundation Excellence Award in recognition of more than five decades of public service and contributions spanning education, Islamic scholarship, institution-building, international dialogue and human welfare.
The award was presented at a “Gathering of Honour for the Prime Minister of Malaysia” at the Markaz Convention Centre in Kozhikode, India during Anwar’s visit to Markazu Saquafathi Sunniya, better known as Jamia Markaz, one of India’s prominent Islamic institutions.
Anwar also received a handwritten manuscript of Sahih al-Bukhari in appreciation of Malaysia’s support for international hadith reading sessions held under the government’s patronage over the past three years.
The manuscript was presented by Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, the 10th Grand Mufti of India.
In a citation read at the ceremony, Sheikh Abu Bakar Foundation Rector Dr Roshan Nurani said Anwar had demonstrated perseverance, institutional vision and a sustained commitment to dialogue, equitable development, education and human dignity throughout his public life.
He said Anwar’s contributions extended beyond his political positions, particularly through his efforts to preserve and disseminate the Islamic scholarly tradition.
“With great respect, the Sheikh Abu Bakar Foundation presents the inaugural Excellence Award to Anwar Ibrahim in recognition of his outstanding contributions to public service, education, economic and institutional development, Islamic thought and international dialogue, as well as in appreciation of a life dedicated to shaping society through knowledge, leadership and service to humanity,” he said.
The Malaysian Government has also supported international hadith reading sessions led by Sheikh Abubakr in Kuala Lumpur in 2023, 2024 and 2025, recognising his six decades of teaching and scholarship in hadith.
Earlier, Anwar met Sheikh Abubakr after attending the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
During the meeting, Anwar said they exchanged views on the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, which he said was opening new horizons for knowledge and progress while also presenting major challenges to faith, morality and human intellectual freedom.
He said the discussions focused on developing an approach to AI grounded in Islamic principles that balances technological progress with values, ethics and humanity.
Anwar said the discussions would be refined further to ensure advances in artificial intelligence could be harnessed effectively without sacrificing faith, values and humanity. - September 14, 2026
