Soka Gakkai Malaysia Holds Special Tribute to Daisaku Ikeda
Universiti Putra Malaysia Pro Chancellor Syed Jalaludin (3rd from left), Ugandan Ambassador to Malaysia Betty Oyella Bigombe (4th from left), and others paid tribute to Daisaku Ikeda at the December 2, 2023, memorial event held at the SGM Culture Centre.
On December 2, 2023, Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) held a special tribute to Soka Gakkai Honorary President and Soka Gakkai International (SGI) President Daisaku Ikeda (1928–2023). Around 900 people gathered in the Ikeda Peace Auditorium at the SGM Culture Centre in Kuala Lumpur to pay tribute to his life and legacy. Guests from various sectors of society and SGM representatives came together to honor Mr. Ikeda’s remarkable life journey.
Former
Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad,
who met Mr. Ikeda in 1988 and 2000, conveyed his condolences in a message
emphasizing that Mr. Ikeda’s passing is a loss not only to Soka Gakkai members
but also to anyone who aligns with his ideals.
Speaking at the
memorial, Pro Chancellor and Professor
Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Syed Jalaludin Syed Salim
of Universiti Putra Malaysia praised Mr.
Ikeda as an international luminary who dedicated his entire life to advocating
for peace and serving humanity.
Ugandan High
Commissioner H.E. Betty Oyella Bigombe, serving as the Ugandan Ambassador to
Malaysia, recounted meeting Mr. Ikeda in Tokyo in March 1975 with her husband,
who was then acting ambassador to Japan. Reflecting on their dialogue, she
highlighted Mr. Ikeda’s genuine interest in learning about Africa, which left a
lasting impression on her. Drawing on her own experience in conflict resolution,
she expressed gratitude to Mr. Ikeda for his unwavering commitment to fostering
peace.
A
video screened during the event offered insight into Mr. Ikeda’s extraordinary 76-year
legacy as a leader and mentor within the Soka Gakkai community. It highlighted
his crucial role in transforming the organization into a global movement for
individual empowerment, dedicated to advancing peace, culture and education.
Additionally, his visits to Malaysia in 1988 and 2000 were featured,
emphasizing his strong connection with both the members of SGM and the nation
of Malaysia.
The
memorial served as a poignant homage to the enduring influence and profound impact
of Mr. Ikeda’s life.
[Adapted from articles in the December 8, 2023, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, Soka Gakkai, Japan, and on the SGM website]
