Putrajaya, 31 July 2026 – Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s tribute to Al-Azhar’s Grand Imam as a model of moderation and Muslim unity placed religious diplomacy at the centre of Malaysia’s international engagement. The message presented moderation not simply as a theological position, but as a practical framework for social stability, cross-border cooperation and confidence in Muslim-majority markets.

Al-Azhar carries influence across the Islamic world through scholarship, education and religious guidance. Malaysia’s close engagement with the institution strengthens its ability to participate in discussions on interfaith relations, extremism, education and the role of faith in public life. It also supports Kuala Lumpur’s long-standing effort to project an image of a diverse Muslim nation able to combine tradition with economic modernisation.