KANGAR, Oct 13 — The continuity of the ummah requires leadership with the courage to uphold the truth, the resolve to champion justice and an unwavering commitment to placing the people’s interests above all else, said Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail.
He said effective leadership was not merely about holding a position or wielding power, but about the ability to guide and unite the community towards collective well-being.
Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra said the increasingly complex global landscape required a holistic approach involving all stakeholders, including educational institutions, the authorities, religious bodies, industry, civil society organisations and the public.
“Each party must play its respective role to broaden opportunities, accelerate efforts to address various challenges and foster an environment conducive to collective progress,” he said.
His Royal Highness said this when officiating the International Seminar on Islam and the Sustainability of the Ummah (SIDKUN 2026) here yesterday, according to a statement issued by Istana Arau today.
Meanwhile, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra stressed that integrating religious knowledge with modern disciplines, particularly science and technology, was essential to nurturing a generation that was visionary, morally upright, creative and competitive in meeting the challenges of the modern world.
He said religious knowledge provided guidance in shaping values, character and a sense of purpose in life, while proficiency in science, technology and contemporary thought enabled society to better understand global developments and address various challenges effectively.
“This integration will nurture a generation that is forward-looking, creative and competitive, with the ability to devise new solutions in response to the changing demands of the times,” said the Raja Muda of Perlis.
According to the statement, SIDKUN 2026, organised by the School of Languages, Civilisation and Philosophy at Universiti Utara Malaysia in collaboration with the Perlis Islamic Religious and Malay Custom Council, brings together academics, religious scholars and industry practitioners to discuss contemporary approaches and solutions to strengthen the sustainability of the ummah.
The palace said the seminar focuses on Applied Shariah, Islamic thought, communication and education, as well as the potential of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to support the sustainable development of the ummah in accordance with Shariah principles.
