Nilai, July 12, 2017 – Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) Chairperson, Prof Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak made his inaugural visit to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for back-to-back meetings with senior leaders of Mindanao State University (MSU) Maguindanao, ARMM – Office of the Regional Governor, Regional Economic Zone Authority (REZA), the ARMM Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Regional Jurisconsult DARUL IFTA, Rotary Club of Cotabato City – South & Rotary Anns of Rotary Club of Cotabato City-South.

The momentous 4-day 3-night (28 June – 01 July, 2017) event was‎ both an eye- and heart-opener in the many engaging sessions with those involved throughout the visit.

On 29 June 2017, Prof Dzulkifli delivered an invited lecture on ‘Sejahtera (Balanced) Leadership: Beyond Sustainable Development Goals’ for leaders and guests at ARMM – Office of the Regional Governor. This was preceded by a meaningful interactive session with the staff of MSU headed by the Vice-Chancellor on issues of mutual interest

Whereas on the following day, after an internse discussion on Islamic Microfinance in a special dialogue with the relevant ARMM staff and colleagues, he acted as the Guest Speaker at the 44th Joint Induction Ceremonies of Rotary Club of Cotabato City – South and Rotary Anns of the Rotary Club of Cotabato City – South of Rotary International (RI) District 3870 with 2017-2018 he spoken on theme ‘Rotary Making a Difference: Service Above Self’ at Em Manor Hotel & Convention Center. The text of the speech is here.

While congratulating Rotarian Amanoding “Ding” Esmail as President and Rotarian Soraida “Shalma” Angad – Esmail as Ann President for RY 2017 -2018, he recognized volunteerism as a noble universal values that must be nurtured in our society especially among the young people who are future global leaders.

Prof Dzulkifli went on to stress: “This is societal responsibility to join in, to give freely of one’s time, knowledge, ideas and wealth to assist or aid others in need. I salute active Rotarians for their dedication and sincere commitment serving the community. The global future of our world calls for a new vision and a bold mission to be humanely innovative in order to create a real sustainable development goals which must be intergenerational, inclusive and ecological friendly. To add value, USIM can collaborate with your Club.”

Clearly, Mindanao, the people and leaders deserve peaceful, lasting holistic solutions that will be sustainable, to their complex problems not marred by violence caused by war freaks, local warlords and terrorist groups like ISIS. The present Marawi City seize and the widespread human suffering resulting therefrom must be resolved by all Filipinos in all aspects of the peace process.

    

Prof Dzulkifli believes that the Marawi siege has important lessons by ASEAN as he wrote in his weekly column here (The Sun column of July 12).