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GOMBAK, 10 October 2026 – The Department of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh at the AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kuliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (AHAS KIRKHS), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), in collaboration with the Kerala Students Association (KSA), successfully organised a Special Talk titled "Holistic Leadership in Muslim Minority Context" at the Auditorium Lecture Theatre 4 (ADM LT 4), IRK Building.

The keynote speaker was Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal, Chancellor of Darul Huda Islamic University, Kerala, India. In his address, he shared deep insights on cultivating holistic leadership within Muslim minority contexts. He explained that leadership in minority communities is not merely an administrative responsibility, but a convergence of spiritual, ethical, and social duties. He emphasised that leaders must possess the awareness that all authority is ultimately accountable to Allah, and that in minority contexts, leaders require both religious knowledge and an understanding of contemporary societal realities.

He also spoke about the responsibility of leaders in minority communities to ensure service, protection, and unity, as well as the challenges faced by minority leadership across diverse cultural, political, and social landscapes, and the need to address them with wisdom and patience. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of bringing youth into leadership and nurturing a sense of responsibility in them, and explained that true leadership requires a comprehensive approach encompassing the spiritual, intellectual, social, economic, and political dimensions.

Addressing the question of diversity, Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal remarked that diversity is, in fact, what enriches the leadership of minority communities. He noted that everyone is different, and that this difference must be acknowledged and embraced. Drawing upon the histories of India and Kerala, he explained that these histories are defined by people standing together, in unity, cooperating with one another, and engaging in constructive activities. Whether one examines Islamic traditions or the prophetic life of the Prophet ﷺ, such patterns of unity, cooperation, and constructive engagement can be clearly found, offering enduring models for minority leadership today.

In a particularly significant remark, Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal described IIUM as the bridge between Kerala and Malaysia, highlighting the university's unique role in connecting the two regions through academic excellence, cultural exchange, and shared Islamic values. This statement resonated deeply with the audience, underscoring the strong historical and intellectual ties between Kerala and Malaysia.

The event was attended by several distinguished academic figures, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sayyed Mohamed Muhsin (Head of the Department of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh), Prof. Dr. Mumtaz Ali, Prof. Dr. Thameem Ushama, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdul Hamid, and Sayyid Aseel Ali Shihab.

The successful organisation of this event reflects IIUM's ongoing commitment to developing leaders who combine academic excellence with spiritual consciousness, ethical responsibility, and meaningful community engagement.

Reported by:

Aysha Afrin

Communication Student

AHAS KIRKHS, IIUM