The peace, culture and education movement in Malaysia marked a historic milestone when Soka Gakkai president Minoru Harada delivered the 34th ISTAC World Professorial Lecture (IWPL) at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC-IIUM) in Kuala Lumpur. Titled “Insights into Human Solidarity: Daisaku Ikeda’s Perspectives on the True Aspect of Life and Humanity,” this occasion marks the first lecture by a Soka Gakkai president in Malaysia. This came on the eve of the anniversary of President Ikeda joining the Soka Gakkai (24 August 1947).

Speaking to 250 in-person participants and 475 online, President Harada discussed how SGI president Daisaku Ikeda exerted himself in building global human solidarity based on the Buddhist perspective on the eternity of life, which expounds that birth and death are aspects of the eternal self, and that the Buddha nature exists in all living beings; therefore, all are worthy of supreme respect. This understanding has driven his peacebuilding endeavours, which include dialogues with leaders of China and the Soviet Union at a tense period between the two countries.

He also expressed President Ikeda’s belief that the youth are the treasures of humanity – which the SGI leader shared with former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during his second visit to Malaysia in 2000. President Harada also drew from his own youthful experiences in relating how President Ikeda treasured young people, going so far as to buy new shoes for students who struggled financially.

He then shared how Islam’s core values resonate with Buddhism’s, such as compassion; the “honoured vicegerent” in Islam and the Bodhisattvas of the Earth in Buddhism; peace, and justice. Deeper exchanges between Islam and Buddhism must be promoted to strengthen empathy and cooperation. In ending, he quoted a Malay proverb: Hidup kayu berbuah, hidup manusia berjasa – which calls for humans to live contributive lives.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Amilah Awang Abdul Rahman from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) presented a response titled “Islamic Perspective on Human Solidarity.” She praised President Harada’s lecture that highlighted profound insights from Nichiren Buddhism that deeply resonates with Islam’s fundamental values. Human solidarity, she stressed, transcends just standing together; it means feeling others’ pain and carrying their burden ourselves. It is not merely an ideal but our duty, one that begins with inner change. Islam and Buddhism enjoin people to rise above fear and suspicion, and support each other in peacebuilding efforts based on dialogue and cooperation. 

Guests included diplomats, academics, university students and SGM members. SGI General Director Yoshiki Tanigawa and Soka Gakkai women’s division general leader Kimiko Nagaishi also attended.

In welcoming guests prior to the lecture, new ISTAC-IIUM dean Prof. Dr Hazizan Md Noon expressed hopes that the lecture will inspire people to strive towards building a more humane, just and peaceful world, and praised its timeliness in an era fraught with increasing global challenges.

IIUM rector Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr Osman Bakar sent a message, delivered on his behalf by deputy rector of research, innovation and development Prof. Dr Mohd Aslam Mohd Haneef. He extolled SGM’s longstanding cooperation with IIUM and ISTAC-IIUM that brought this lecture to fruition and also lauded President Ikeda’s belief in the power of human revolution. He also called for stronger collaboration between IIUM and the Soka Gakkai in striving for peace, justice and human dignity.

The event also witnessed the launching of the Second Daisaku Ikeda Memorial Lecture book, containing the text of the lectures delivered at this event on 26 January.   

The IWPL engages leaders and experts across disciplines on topics such as civilisational dialogue, education and spirituality, promoting shared values and understanding on issues affecting humanity, and fostering collaboration across institutions to address global challenges. Previous speakers have included academics, ambassadors and a former governor of Jakarta.