On 7 January 2022, Hikmah Toleransi: Falsafah Kemurahan Dan Keamanan (Malay edition of The Wisdom of Tolerance: A Philosophy of Generosity and Peace) was jointly-launched by SGM and the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation of International Islamic University Malaysia (ISTAC-IIUM), Kuala Lumpur at the latter’s main hall. Published on 24 August 2022 by the publishing arm of the institute, ISTAC-IIUM Publications, Hikmah Toleransi is a significant dialogue between the late former president of Indonesia Abdhurrahman Wahid (1940-2009) and SGI President Daisaku Ikeda. The event was also held in hybrid, seeing a total of 250 number of attendees.

Covering a vast number of topics such as the shared values of Buddhism and Islam, the role of education, women and youth play in developing society, the book aims to realise peace and build a world where each person can live with dignity.

In his opening remarks, Prof Dr Abdelaziz Berghout, Dean of ISTAC-IIUM commended SGM’s contribution to the publication of the book, noting that the messages contained within are powerful and pertinent to the circumstances of our times.

SGM President Michael Kok then introduced the authors’ backgrounds, ideologies, works and writings, highlighting the areas of similarities and their endeavours.

From there on, presiding over the launching, Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak expressed his joy at the publication of the book and pointed out the world was facing serious issues. He asserted ISTAC’s missions in working to bring people together and the betterment of humanity and civilisation via dialogue and intercultural understanding.

Following the launching, a book review was also conducted, with a panel consisting of IIUM Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Osman Bakar, Holder of the Al-Ghazali Chair of Epistemology, Civilisational Studies and Renewal; Prof Datuk Dr Azizan Baharuddin, Director, Centre for Civilisational Dialogue, University of Malaya, who is also the UKM-YSD Chair of Sustainability and Hon. Fellow of the Institut Masa Depan Malaysia; Assoc Prof Dr Imityaz Yusuf, Coordinator, Islamisation of Knowledge, ISTAC-IIUM; Dr Jimmy Tam Kok Chian, SGM student division secretary and Ms Lee Kam Yit, SGM young women’s division leader.

Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Osman Bakar who contributed a foreword to Hikmah Toleransi kicked off the discussion by speaking on how the book can provide ideas on how the younger generations can learn together, sustain a humanity that transcends differences among people.

Then Prof Datuk Dr Azizan Baharuddin pointed out that trust and capability of people to relate to others is declining, highlighting the need for having more dialogues.