UIAM Rector Osman Bakar Named National Maal Hijrah Figure

PUTRAJAYA – Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) Rector, Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Osman Bakar, has been selected as the National Maal Hijrah Figure at the 1448H/2026 National Level Maal Hijrah Celebration at Putra Mosque here today.

At the same ceremony, Islamic jurisprudence expert from Morocco, Dr Ahmad Al-Raysuni, was announced as the International Maal Hijrah Figure.

The awards were presented by the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Nazrin Shah, who was pleased to confer cash prizes, trophies and certificates of appreciation to the two recipients.

This year’s celebration carries the theme “MADANI Dihayati, Ummah Diberkati” (Madani Embraced, Ummah Blessed).

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and his wife Datin Ruziah Mohd Tahir, as well as the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hasan.

Osman, 80, who is a native of Kampung Bukit Lada, Chenor in Pahang, described the award as the highest recognition for his contributions in the field of knowledge.

“I have served at many universities both locally and abroad, and this is my jihad (struggle) in the field of knowledge. A jihad to defend true knowledge and combat false knowledge. This has been my duty throughout 56 years in the academic field,” he told the media after the ceremony.

The recipient of the Global Humanities Award in December 2019 said his extensive experience in academia has provided him with opportunities to share his expertise, guide the new generation, and contribute to the development of knowledge at the international level.

He said the jihad of knowledge is not limited to the pursuit of knowledge alone, but encompasses efforts to explore new knowledge, disseminate it to society, and apply it for the benefit of the ummah and the nation.

“Throughout my time in institutions of higher learning, I have sought knowledge, shared knowledge, disseminated knowledge and applied that knowledge for the good of society,” said the father of six children and four grandchildren.

In conjunction with the Maal Hijrah celebration, Osman invited the public to appreciate the meaning of hijrah in a broader context, as hijrah does not merely refer to the physical migration of Prophet Muhammad SAW from Makkah to Yathrib, but also reflects the spirit of transformation that turned Yathrib into Madinah as a society, a nation and a civilisation founded upon knowledge, justice and noble values.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Al-Raysuni, 73, said the recognition does not only belong to him personally, but also reflects Malaysia’s ongoing commitment to elevating Islamic symbols through various initiatives and programmes that recognise individuals who have rendered services to the faith.

“I am deeply grateful and thankful to the Malaysian Government for this honour. In my view, Malaysia is among the Islamic countries that are very committed to organising programmes such as the Maal Hijrah celebration, which uplifts Islamic symbols and appreciates individual contributions to the development of the ummah,” he said.

Commenting on his involvement in various fields over the past 50 years, he said his contributions encompass aspects of dakwah (Islamic propagation), welfare, social development and Islamic thought, before focusing more deeply on the academic field over the past two decades.

Ahmad Al-Raysuni said his focus on the academic world was driven by his conviction that knowledge is the primary foundation for the development of the ummah and civilisation.

“Knowledge must come before words and deeds. In the Islamic scholarly tradition, knowledge is the foundation for all forms of development and societal change,” he said.

He also called on Muslims to make the Maal Hijrah celebration an occasion for self-reflection and a starting point for positive change in life, in line with the spirit of renewal brought by Prophet Muhammad SAW.

BERNAMA