WCIT 2017 Conference Report

Abstract

The World Conference on Islamic Thought & Civilization (WCIT) has been organized by Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (USAS) since 2012 under the Royal Patronage of Duli Yang Maha Mulia (DYMM) Paduka Seri Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Al-Maghfur-lah, the Sultan of Perak. The central purpose of the conference is to provide a platform and avenue for scholars, intellectuals and professionals to come together and engage in a dynamic and vibrant exchange of ideas. The recent WCIT 2017, held on November 20-21, carried the theme of ‘Global Peace’ and played host to participants and speakers from 22 different countries. Among the speakers were His Royal Highness, the Sultan of Perak, the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister, the Menteri Besar of Perak, the late Tan Sri Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, the Former Thai Foreign Minster and Secretary General of ASEAN, Sheikh Muhammad Yahaya Al-Ninowy, the Founding Director of Medina Institute in the US, Col. (Ret.) Ann Wright, retired U.S. Army Colonel and participant of the Gaza Flotilla Challenger 1, Prof. Dr. Bruce Lawrence, a professor of religion at Duke University, USA, Prof. Dr. Dewi Fortuna Anwar of Indonesia, Dato’ Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, a senior assistant commissioner of the Malaysian Royal Police, Tan Sri Dr. Razali Ismail, a senior Malaysian diplomat, and many other distinguished speakers. The organizers of WCIT are well aware and are very much concerned about the myriad of issues, problems, and conflicts currently confronting the global citizens. These problems affect and threaten global peace and need to be analyzed, assessed and addressed. With this in mind, the organizers of WCIT 2017 identified the most pressing areas to be discussed and selected six conference sub-themes.

They were: •Social Conflict & Religious Extremism • Humanitarian Issues & Universal Peace • Islamic Philosophy & Spiritual Tradition • Power, Politics & the Media • Geo-Strategies & Global Peace • Education & Youth

These themes were explored and discussed in eight (8) forum sessions. There were also the three satellite forum-sessions that discussed the topics of ‘Post-new-World Order’, ‘Women’s Role in Peace-Building’, and ‘Peace in Islam: Bridging Relations with World Communities’. The 2017 World Conference on Islamic Thought and Civilization was officially opened by His Royal Highness, the Sultan of Perak, but not before his Royal Keynote address, the welcoming speech of the Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of Perak, and the opening remarks of the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah, Tan Sri Prof. Dr. Nordin Kardi. The Sultan’s Royal Keynote address on “Global Peace: Towards a More Inclusive and Trusting World Community” helped set the tone, pace, and agenda of the whole conference. The first night of the Conference also saw the conference speakers and participants being treated to a sumptuous welcoming dinner at the official residence of the Perak Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir. It was during this dinner that an “Ambassador Forum”-session featuring seasoned diplomats also took place. The forum was very lively. Everyone present got to listen to the participating ambassadors discuss “Global Peace: Diplomacy and International Relations”. In attendance during this ambassador forum were other invited ambassadors, diplomats, foreign dignitaries, government officials, local leaders and academics.