Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Atomic Bombings Peace Talk by Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli bin Abdul Razak
Penang, 28 September 2025 – In solemn commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings, Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) organised a peace talk titled “Gestures of Peace” at the Soka Peace Centre Malaysia on Sunday, 28 September 2025. The event featured a deeply moving sharing by Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli bin Abdul Razak, whose father was the sole Malaysian survivor of the Hiroshima bombing.
Recounting his father’s harrowing testimony, Tan Sri Dzulkifli described the scene of the atomic bombing as if “hundreds of suns had fallen,” leaving bodies burning everywhere. He also shared how his father, every year on 6 August, would gather the family to retell the events of that day — to ensure that humanity never forgets the devastating consequences of Hiroshima.
Citing Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking, Tan Sri Dzulkifli underlined the urgent need for humanity to decisively move away from nuclear arms. “Had we foreseen the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons, we would never have taken the first step toward conflict. Now, we must act with resolve to render them obsolete,” he urged.
He further reflected that while humanity endured the painful consequences of World War II, today’s generation faces a different kind of war — the climate crisis. He pointed out that the legacy of conflict, including reliance on nuclear weapons and nuclear-related energy, continues to fuel environmental degradation and global instability.
In his concluding remarks, Tan Sri Dzulkifli urged the audience to remember that peace begins within. Focusing on inner peace, he highlighted these key points:
- Peace is an algorithm that we are born with.
- Peace means opening our minds to accept and our hearts to connect.
- Peace begins with me, and with us.
“To advocate for peace, one must first understand and experience it personally,” he said, calling on everyone to make peace a daily practice.
The talk was held in conjunction with the launch of the “Gestures of Peace” exhibition, which features posters from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, portraits of atomic bomb survivors by Japanese artist Masakazu Masuda, and artworks by the High School and Junior Division members of Soka Gakkai Malaysia. Together, these works offer a moving narrative of remembrance and resilience, as well as the hopes and aspirations of the younger generation.
This profoundly moving session not only honoured the memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki but also served as a call to action — reminding us all that from the shadows of history, we must rise with hope and determination to build a world free of nuclear weapons.