Mr. Vice-Chancellor and Members of the Faculty:

Allow me first of all to thank you for the great honour you have just bestowed on me. I am indeed privileged to be conferred the degree of Doctor of Literature from such a distinguished centre of learning as the Aligarh University. Having had the honour of studying at the world famous Muslim university of Al-Azhar, it gives me particular pleasure to receive a degree from another renowned Islamic institution. By the conferment of this meritorious degree you have not honoured me alone; you have also honoured my country and my people. It is in their name, as well as my own, that I thank you today.

Mr. Vice-Chancellor, Members of the Faculty, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Perhaps some of you have come to hear of the Maldives only today. But, my wife and I represent a country where many people have heard about this great university and entertain much respect for it. Indeed, a few Maldivians have had the privilege of receiving their education here. Among them was no less a person than our first President, the late Mr. Mohamed Amin Didi. He spent a little over one year at this University during the late 1920s but unfortunately the call of duty prevented him from continuing his studies. He subsequently wrote in his memoirs that the spirit of patriotism was aroused in his heart during the days that he spent at this University.

If only a few people in my country are well versed with the history of this University, by far a larger number of people have heard about the respected founder of this great institution which started taking shape in 1875.

I need not go into the details of the reason that prompted Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan to embark on this noble venture. It is the purpose of his action that, I think, should be of interest to us. The Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College was established for the purpose of educating the Islamic youth of India. I sincerely believe that in a vast country such as India, with a population of over 70 million Muslims, it is only but reasonable that an institution should exist where the vast reservoir of Islamic knowledge and sciences could be studied and taught. In addition to the elaborate jurisprudence and other religious disciplines developed by Muslim scholars throughout the ages, it was Arab and Muslim scientists who had laid the foundation for many branches of mathematics, physics, chemistry and medicine.

Mr. Vice-Chancellor, Ladies and Gentlemen:

The Maldive Island, or Dhībat al-Mahal, as the Arab traveller of the 14th century Ibn Battuta called them, or Dībājāt as the early Muslim geographer and writer Al-Masoodi referred to them, are believed to have been inhabited at least 2,500 years ago. Though recent research would seem to indicate that people have been living on our tiny islands for about 3,500 years, it is doubtful whether the Maldives ever functioned as a state with a specific national identity before the people of the country embraced Islam in the 12th century. The history of the Maldives before Islam remains lost in obscurity, but a wealth of information about the various kings and queens who ruled the country after that momentous event in 1153 is on record which probably shows that the people of the Maldives recognized themselves as citizens of a sovereign state and regarded themselves as one nation only after conversion to Islam.

The Islamic World today is going through hard times. We face tough challenges from various sources. The noble qualities of tolerance, fortitude and unity, which are basic to our faith, must be respected by us today more than ever before.

It was over 1,400 years ago that the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was born. It is alarming to note that although mankind has made great progress in science and technology in the past fourteen centuries, it has not achieved any notable spiritual advancement. The political and social ills that had tormented the world then and had caused much bloodshed, destruction and hatred between nations have not been eradicated.

As in those early times, we find today in this enlightened 20th century, some powerful nations trying to dominate the world. In many international issues that confront the world might is still regarded as right. Grave injustices are perpetrated on weaker peoples and nations; innocent peoples are being uprooted from their homes; and war is waged for the purpose of acquiring new lands and territories.

For these reasons, the present-day world needs a message such as that of Islam as it had needed such a message fourteen centuries ago. Islam brought peace and harmony to a divided world. It brought justice and equality; and it taught mankind the ideals of compassion, love and human brotherhood. It laid the foundation of a great human civilization in which all human beings regardless of colour, creed or race, were regarded as equal; and in which knowledge was accepted as the ultimate means of recognizing the Creator. It was a civilization of enlightenment, mercy and understanding. These are the very ideals that the world most urgently needs today.

The tolerance and magnanimity shown by the great Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), the Second Guided Khalīfā, Umar ibn al-Khattāb, Salahuddin al-Ayyūbī and other renowned Muslim rulers of all times towards not only non-Muslims but also towards those who had waged war against the Muslim state will bear witness to the spirit of love and human brotherhood inherent in the teachings of Islam. The Holy Quran clearly establishes the right of every individual to follow whatever religion or creed of his choice when it says: “There is no compulsion in religion; surely right has become distinct from wrong.” Islam safeguards the rights of non-Muslim, or Ahl al-Dhimma, to no less a degree than it safeguards the right of its own followers. Several reputed non-Muslims have held high posts in the courts of many Muslim Khalīfās and rendered useful services to the Islamic state in various ages.

This is all the reason why Muslims in this enlightened age should respect the noble principles of tolerance and peace taught by Islam and follow the shining examples set by the Prophet and other Muslim rulers in their dealings with non-Muslim communities.

All religions guide to the path of God – the path of love, understanding and peace. No religion preaches hatred, jealousy or animosity. Religious intolerance which inevitably leads to friction and conflict, and more often than not to bloodshed, is therefore an unforgivable departure from the path of God.

Mr. Vice-Chancellor, Members of the Faculty, Ladies and Gentlemen:

May I once again thank you for honouring me today. I also wish to thank you on behalf of my wife and members of my delegation for the very warm welcome that your good selves, the staff and the students of this university have given us. This is a day that we shall always remember with sincere appreciation.

I have not doubt that this great institution will continue to play its due role in producing the people needed by both this country and the Islamic world to contribute selfless service to the community with the appropriate sense of devotion to duty.

Let the torch of knowledge and wisdom passed on to you by your forefathers guide the youth of this great country to a new world of peace and progress!

Thank you.