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January 26, 2025

2nd Daisaku Ikeda Memorial Lecture Held at International Islamic University Malaysia

Relevant speakers at 2nd Daisaku Ikeda Memorial Lecture at IIUM-ISTAC
From left to right: SGM President Johnny Ng, Emeritus Prof. Datuk Dr. Azizan Baharuddin, IIUM President Tan Sri Samsudin bin Osman, Prof. Datuk Dr. Abdelaziz Berghout and moderator Dr. Ahmad El-Muhammady Muhammad Uthman

On January 26, 2025, the second Daisaku Ikeda Memorial Lecture, co-hosted by Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) and the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC) at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), was held on the IIUM campus in Kuala Lumpur. Speakers reflected on SGI President Daisaku Ikeda’s legacy of global peacebuilding and its enduring impact.

IIUM is a public university based on Islamic principles. Since August of 2024, the university has been working on a joint research project with SGM to study the philosophy of Daisaku Ikeda.

The lecture drew nearly 900 attendees, with two thirds watching live on ISTAC’s YouTube channel. Distinguished guests attending in person included:  Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Anuwar Ali, formerly vice-chancellor of the National University of Malaysia (UKM) and Open University Malaysia president; Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr. Azizan Baharuddin, adviser to and former director of the Centre for Civilisational Dialogue, University of Malaya; Professor Dr. Ahmad Ismail, President of the Malaysian Academic Association Congress; and HE Florentino Batista Gonzalez, Cuban Ambassador to Malaysia.

Audience at 2nd Daisaku Ikeda Memorial Lecture at IIUM-ISTAC
Audience at the 2nd Daisaku Ikeda Memorial Lecture at IIUM-ISTAC

ISTAC Dean Prof. Datuk Dr. Abdelaziz Berghout introduced the successful collaborations between ISTAC and SGM, including the simultaneous showing of the exhibitions “Islam on Peace and Harmonious Coexistence” and “The Lotus Sutra—A Message of Peace and Harmonious Coexistence.” SGM General Director Koh Sia Feai highlighted the significance of holding the lecture on SGI’s 50th anniversary, expressing his hope that participants would be inspired by Mr. Ikeda’s belief in the power of individuals to create change and foster unity by recognizing our shared humanity.

Lectures followed, by Emeritus Professor Tan Sri Anuwar Ali, Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr. Azizan Baharuddin and ISTAC Dean Prof. Datuk Dr. Abdelaziz.

Professor Anuwar Ali highlighted Mr. Ikeda’s philosophy of humanistic education which is in line with Malaysia’s national education philosophy. Professor Azizan Baharuddin stressed that dialogue, which Mr. Ikeda deeply valued, is a vital force in uniting humanity. ISTAC Dean Abdelaziz Berghout affirmed that Mr. Ikeda’s vision—rooted in peace, cooperation and dialogue—can contribute to meaningful discussions across national boundaries.

Additionally, on the same day, ISTAC published an English-language booklet [not for sale] comprising the contents of the first memorial event for Mr. Ikeda held at ISTAC in January 2024.

Booklet-Daisaku Ikeda, A Life of Dialogue and Peace, distributed at the 2nd Daisaku Ikeda Memorial Lecture at IIUM-ISTAC
The cover design of the booklet conveys the idea that Mr. Ikeda’s spirit, like a river, will continue to flow into the future.

 [Adapted from an article in the February 14, 2025, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, Soka Gakkai, Japan]　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

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