IIUM honour for King Salman

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was tonight conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (Islam and Wasatiyyah) and Lifetime Outstanding Achievement Award for his contributions to the wellbeing of Muslims around the world.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was bestowed the award by the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) at a special convocation at the IIUM Cultural Centre near here.

They were presented to Saudi Arabian King by the Sultan of Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah, who is the Constitutional Head of the university.

In his royal address, Sultan Ahmad Shah said IIUM was proud to bestow upon King Salman the degree and award in recognition of the kindness and generosity His Majesty had shown to the Muslim world.

"We ardently hope that His Majesty accepts them with the Muslim world's love and gratitude," he said at the event.

Sultan Ahmad Shah said the Muslim world was confronted by many challenges that required patience, compassion and determination and these were strengths that the Saudi monarch possessed.

"His Majesty King Salman is not an ordinary person. His duties and obligations to his country and followers of Sunnah Wal Jamaah demand composure and great patience on his part.

"His Majesty represents the qualities that our religion urges us believers to acquire," he said.

Reading a citation for the conferment, IIUM president Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim said King Salman had always had the wellbeing and welfare of his subjects and fellow Muslims close to his heart.

"He headed a number of committees and organisations to gather donations to help the poor and those affected by floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters in Arab and Islamic worlds and supports Islamic charities globally," he said.

Rais said the King's generosity, support and concern for the many organisations and committees had not gone unnoticed by people in the kingdom and abroad.

He said since ascending the throne, Saudi Arabia had experienced a dynamic and progressive style of governance when it came to facing new global challenges.

King Salman is on a four-day state visit to Malaysia at the invitation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V.

The visit ends tomorrow. -- Bernama