M'SIAN PM ABDULLAH RECEIVES HONORARY DOCTORATE

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi was Monday conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in
Islamic Thought and Civilisation by the International Islamic University (IIU)
here.

The degree was conferred by the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah, who is
also the constitutional head of IIU, in a simple yet meaningful ceremony at the
University campus in Gombak.

In his speech after receiving the degree, Abdullah said it was indeed an
honour for him to receive the doctorate from the university.

"I feel very touched by the gesture and magnanimity of the university for
organising this special ceremony to confer upon me this award. Indeed, I am well
aware of the honour that you have accorded me, and I am both delighted and
humbled by such a conferment," he said.

Abdullah also said that the award was all more meaningful because of the
association with the international institute of Islamic thought and civilisation
and an institution whose reputation precedes itself.

"Its establishment under the renowned philosopher-scholar, Professor Dr Syed
Naquib Al-Attas and its subsequent development into a distinguished centre of
learning focussing on Islamic thought, philosophy, civilisation and science, is
well known to academics all over the world," the Prime Minister said referring
to IIU.

Meanwhile Sultan Ahmad Shah in his royal address said it was IIU's privilage
to confer the award upon Abdullah and that it was a way for the University to
show its gratitude for a leader who had done much for the country and Islam.

"Although come end of the month he would hand over the reigns of the nation
to his deputy, Abdullah has tranformed the way the government operated bringing
in good governance, transparency and integrity.

"He has also brought about a good public delivery system and various other
reforms," he said.

-- BERNAMA