ASEM Day 2024 Celebration
Movie Screening of 'Muallaf' and
Forum: 'Discourse on Peaceful Coexistence'

The Movie: Muallaf

Muallaf literally means someone who convert his/her religion into Islam. But Muallaf in Yasmin Ahmad’s film mostly talk about a sociological side of religion, how the religion was used through our daily activites and not only in transcendental ways.

Two Malay sisters are on the run from their wealthy but abusive father. Their path collides with that of Brian, a Catholic school teacher. The young man finds himself drawn towards the sisters – and the extraordinary courage with which they face adversity – in a relationship that forces Brian to confront a haunting memory of his own troubled childhood.

Director: Yasmin Ahmad
Cast: Brian Yap, Sharifah Amani, Yeo Yann Yann, Sharifah Aleysha, Rahim Razali, Tony Savarimutu, Hazel Fernandez, Haris Zakaria, Ning Baizura, Ho Yuhang
Cinematography: Keong Low
Editing: Affandi Jamaludin
Sound: Richard Hocks
Executive Producers: Rosnah Kassim, Elyna Shukri
Running time: 1 hour 24 minutes

Trailer

Discourse on Peaceful Coexistence

Panellists

H.E. Michalis Rokas

Born in September 1964 in Athens, Greece. H.E. Michalis Rokas is the Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Malaysia. Mr Rokas has twenty-six years experience in the field of foreign affairs having joined the European Commission External Relations Directorate General in 1994. His prior postings include Chargé d’Affaires a.i. and Head of EU Delegation to New Zealand, First secretary of the European Commission’s Office in Hong Kong and Macau, Head of the Support to Delegations Division at the European External Action Service (EEAS) and Deputy and Head of the China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Mongolia Division at the EEAS. Ambassador Rokas holds a bachelor degree in Economics and a postgraduate degree in European Economics. Mr Rokas’ mother tongue is Greek and he speaks English, French and German.

YBhg. Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr. Osman Bakar

Osman Bakar, a doctorate in Islamic philosophy from Temple University, Philadelphia (USA) is currently Holder of Al-Ghazali Chair of Epistemology and Civilizational Studies and Renewal at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). He is also Emeritus Professor in Philosophy of Science at University of Malaya. He was formerly Distinguished Professor and Director of Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Centre for Islamic Studies (SOASCIS), Universiti Brunei Darussalam. Dr Osman was also formerly Malaysia Chair of Islam in Southeast Asia at the Prince Talal al-Waleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University, Washington DC, and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Research) at University of Malaya. Dr Osman is author and editor of 40 books and more than 300 articles on various aspects of Islamic thought and civilization, particularly Islamic science and philosophy in which he is a leading authority. His most well-known books are Classification of Knowledge in Islam (1992) and Tawhid and Science (1992). His latest books are titled Al-Farabi: Life, Works and Significance (2018) (new second edition) and Colonialism in the Malay Archipelago: Civilizational Encounters (co-editor) (2020). He has been named among the 500 most influential Muslims in the world since 2009. He was made a Dato’ in 1994 by HRH Sultan of Pahang and a Datuk by HM the King of Malaysia in 2000.

Dr. Alwani Ghazali

Dr. Alwani Ghazali specializes in Comparative Religion, focusing on interreligious dialogue and peaceful co-existence at the Academy of Islamic Studies, Universiti Malaya. Her career includes previous positions at the International Islamic University Malaysia (2002-2015) and Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (2016). Dr. Alwani earned her PhD from the University of Melbourne, Australia, receiving prestigious awards and nominations for her thesis on dialogic thinking in Muslim discourse. With a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Usuluddin and Comparative Religion from IIUM, her interests also encompass Islamic Thought, research frameworks in Islamic Studies, and historical hermeneutics. Dr. Alwani actively promotes dialogue as a research fellow at the Islamic and Strategic Studies Institute (ISSI).

Moderator

Dr. Nurliana Kamaruddin

Nurliana Kamaruddin is Deputy Executive Director of Academic & Student Affairs at the Asia-Europe Institute, Universiti Malaya. She obtained her PhD in International Studies specialising in Development Cooperation from Ewha Womans University. Her area of research includes international politics and development with a focus on ASEAN and East Asian relations.

Contact Information

Any enquiries, please contact:

• Nur Afiqah Rosden (+603 7967 6927) (afiqahrosden@um.edu.my)
• Arief Izuadin Ahmad Jefferi (+603 7967 6269/6931) (ariefizuadinjefferi@um.edu.my)