Anwar Ibrahim’s Role in Islamic-Confucian Dialogue and its Impact on Malaysia, China and Beyond

About the Hybrid Seminar

The ongoing dialogue between Islam and Confucianism in Malaysia, a country characterized by its multi-religious population, holds profound significance for fostering racial harmony. This dialogue has found an influential advocate in Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, whose commitment to inter-civilizational engagement plays a significant role in promoting understanding between the Islamic and Confucian worlds.

This seminar delves into Anwar’s pivotal role in promoting interreligious dialogue within Malaysia and beyond. It will examine the impact of Anwar’s efforts to foster connections among Malaysia’s diverse communities and discuss how these interfaith initiatives advance his quest for an inclusive, pluralistic Malaysia Madani. Additionally, the seminar will explore Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and President Xi Jinping’s recent commitment to collaborate on Xi’s newly launched the Global Civilization Initiative, examining its implications for Malaysia, China, and global exigencies such as the Gaza crisis.

About the Speaker

Dr Peter Chang is currently a Research Associate at the Institute of China Studies, University of Malaya, and a Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore. His research explores how a rejuvenated Confucianism could shape the evolving character of the Chinese milieu and impact the global community through soft power, traditional and popular culture, particularly in Malaysia. In addition to academic writing, Dr. Chang has published opinion pieces in media outlets such as the South China Morning Post.