KUALA LUMPUR - Former Senator Datuk Dr Muhammad Nur Manuty has been appointed chairman of the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim) effective today.
Ikim director-general Prof Madya Dr Mohamed Azam Mohamed Adil, in a statement today, said the appointment was made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim following the death of the previous Ikim chairman Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Dr Mohd Kamal Hassan last Feb 23.
"As a scholar with extensive experience in the field of education, thought, philosophy, comparative religion and management, Muhammad Nur’s appointment as chairman will help boost IKIM's excellence as a think tank and research institution that is respected in Malaysia and internationally.
"On behalf of the Ikim board members and staff, I wish to congratulate him on his appointment as the new chairman of Ikim." Muhammad Nur, 74, began his education at Kolej Islam Malaya in Klang, Selangor, before furthering his studies at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) from 1970 to 1974, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Islamic Studies (Theology and Philosophy).
He then pursued a master’s degree and a doctorate in Islamic Thinking and Comparative Religion at the University of Temple, United States, from 1978 to 1987.
He was a lecturer at the UKM's Department of Arabic Studies and Islamic Civilisation, apart from being a senior lecturer and associate professor at the International Islamic University Malaysia’s (IIUM) Department of Theology and Comparative Religion, from 1983 to 1999.
Muhammad Nur was dean of the Student Affairs Department and Centre for Community Engagement and Services at UIAM for five years from 1990, and had held various posts including president of the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim); deputy president of Wadah Pencerdasan Umat Malaysia (Wadah) and member of the Penang Shura Council. - BERNAMA