Malaysian PM Anwar Meets Ethiopian Islamic Council to Discuss Ummah Development

By Saraswathi Muniappan

ADDIS ABABA, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the meeting held with the Ethiopian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs provided an opportunity to exchange views on strengthening the development of the ummah.

He said the meeting also allowed both parties to discuss ways to address issues involving Islamophobia with wisdom, prudence and compassion, based on the values of benevolence, humanity and empathy.

“I expressed my enthusiasm and deep respect for the harmonious environment among Islam, Christianity and various religions in Ethiopia, a heritage that reflects the maturity and wisdom of its society in managing diversity peacefully,” he said in a statement after receiving a courtesy visit from the Ethiopian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, led by its president, Sheikh Haji Ibrahim Tufa, here on Thursday.

He said Malaysia consistently upheld the sanctity of Islam as a religion that promotes well-being and tolerance through education, thoughtful da’wah, inter-civilisation dialogue, as well as close cooperation with the Islamic community in Ethiopia.

“As a sign of solidarity, I also presented contributions to the local Islamic community, including a special edition of the Quran with a ‘rehal’ (traditional Quran stand), as well as four boxes of English-translated and ‘tajwid’ Qurans as a symbol of knowledge dissemination and brotherhood,” he added.

The Prime Minister arrived in Ethiopia’s capital on Nov 18 for an official visit, accompanied by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa, other senior government officials, and a business delegation.

This marks a historic visit in Malaysia’s efforts to strengthen relations with Africa through the African Union headquarters here.

The African Union, established in July 2002 and comprising 55 member states, serves as the continent’s voice on the global stage, with one of its key roles being the promotion of international cooperation.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, undertook the three-day visit to the “Horn of Africa” country — his first as Malaysia’s Prime Minister — as a reciprocal visit following Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali’s official visit to Malaysia last October.

This was his final engagement in Ethiopia. From Addis Ababa, the Prime Minister will travel to Johannesburg, South Africa for a working visit from Nov 20 to 23 to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

He will then continue his official visit to Nairobi, Kenya from Nov 23 to 24 before returning home.

-- BERNAMA