Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.
Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh, Salam Sejahtera, Salam Malaysia MADANI, Salam Perpaduan, and a very good morning.
His Excellency Tun Seri Setia Dr. Haji Mohd Ali bin Mohd Rustam
Governor of Melaka for supporting and gracing this auspicious Conference.
Yang Berhormat Dato’ Aaron Ago Dagang,
Minister of National Unity Malaysia,
Professor Dr. Hamed Abdulaziz Al-Marwani,
Founding Board Member, Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID), State of Qatar;
Datuk Dr Abdul Razak Ahmad
Special Representative of the Foreign Minister on Peace Building and Countering Islamophobia, Founding Director of Bait Al Amanah
Dr Muhammad Gharawi
Director, Muslim World League, Malaysia
Distinguished keynote speakers, moderators and panellists from Malaysia, Qatar, Australia, Sri Lanka, Singapore and ASEAN.
Honourable members of the diplomatic corps;
Respected religious leaders representing the various faith traditions;
Representatives of government agencies, universities, civil society organisations and international partners;
Distinguished delegates from Malaysia and abroad;
Members of the media;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is both a great honour and a pleasure to welcome all of you to the historic State of Melaka for the International Interfaith Peace Conference 2026.
I wish to record my sincere appreciation to the National Ministry of Unity, Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID), Muslim World League, Islamic Tourism Council – MOTAC and all strategic partners from Melaka for the cooperation in convening the Fifth International Interfaith Peace Conference. This conference reflects our shared commitment to advancing dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths, cultures and traditions.
For the participants from cold Toowoomba, Queensland, we welcome you to sunny Malaysia. We have 3 seasons here – Hot, Hotter and Hottest ! If you want to add the 4th season, it’s the Durian season!!. The King of all fruits.
The theme of this year’s conference, “Melaka and Malaysia as a Meeting Point of Faith, Culture, Diversity and Harmony Towards Cohesive Nation Building,” is particularly appropriate.
For more than six centuries, Melaka has been recognised as a meeting point of civilizations. Merchants from Arabia, China, India, the Malay Archipelago and Europe came not only to trade but also to exchange knowledge, beliefs, traditions and cultures.
These interactions helped shape Melaka into one of the world’s earliest examples of a multicultural and multireligious society.
Today, our heritage continues to reflect this remarkable history. Mosques, churches, temples and other places of worship stand as enduring symbols of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. Communities of different ethnicities and faiths continue to celebrate their traditions while contributing to a common identity as Malaysians.
This afternoon, our delegates will not merely discuss interfaith understanding inside this conference hall. They will walk through it. They will visit Masjid Tengkera, Seck Kia Eenh Buddhist Temple, Sri Muthu Mariamman Temple, St Peter’s Church and Kampung Chetti. Few places in the world offer such an opportunity to experience centuries of peaceful coexistence within such close proximity. This heritage is not only Melaka’s pride—it is Malaysia’s gift to the world.
This is the strength that we must continue to preserve.
In today’s increasingly interconnected yet divided world, misunderstanding, prejudice and intolerance continue to threaten peaceful societies. We witness conflicts that divide communities and erode trust among peoples of different beliefs.
These challenges remind us that peace cannot be taken for granted.
Peace must be nurtured.
Harmony must be protected.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are one humanity. The same species from our great grandfather Adam and Eve. Somehow we decided to start fighting, build walls and silos. Differentiating each other according to race, religion and colour.
We are one humanity with the same aspirations, hopes and dreams, sharing the same destiny on Mother Earth, suspended in space and orbiting around the Sun at a speed of 107,000 km/hr completing one orbit in 365 days. All this while rotating in its own axis at 1,670km/hr.
The Sun orbits the Milky Way Galaxy at a speed of 828,000 km/hr, taking it 250 million years to finish one grand orbit called the Galactic year. Imagine how fragile and precious life can be for all of us to always thank the All Mighty God for the gift of life and to see each other as fellow humanity with the same hopes and aspirations.
Ladies & Gentlemen
Interfaith engagement is therefore not merely an academic exercise. It is a practical means of building trust, promoting mutual understanding and encouraging collaboration in addressing common challenges facing humanity.
I believe Melaka provides an ideal setting for such discussions because our history teaches us that diversity is not a weakness but a strength when guided by mutual respect and shared values.
Malaysia has long demonstrated that people of different races, religions and cultures can live together peacefully while preserving their own identities.
This unique experience enables our nation to contribute meaningfully to global conversations on peacebuilding, intercultural understanding and social cohesion.
As we come together during this two-day conference, I encourage all participants to exchange ideas openly, listen respectfully and build friendships that extend beyond this conference.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I once again congratulate all the collaborators and supporting organisations for making this important conference possible.
May your deliberations be fruitful, your discussions constructive and your recommendations beneficial for future generations.
May the Melaka Resolution become another proud contribution from this historic State towards strengthening peace, understanding and harmonious coexistence throughout our nation and beyond.
Thank you.
Wabillahi Taufiq Wal Hidayah.
Wassalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
