PUTRAJAYA June 26, 2026 – Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim today hosted a farewell meeting with prominent Gambian Sufi scholar Sheikh Muhammad Haydara Al-Jilani, who has been in Malaysia for the past month leading religious knowledge sessions (majlis ilmu) and zikir gatherings across the country.
The meeting, which coincided with the blessed day of Ashura (10 Muharram) falling on a Friday, carried special spiritual significance. In his official statement, Anwar expressed gratitude for the opportunity to receive the scholar and requested special prayers for the well-being of the Malaysian people, national security, and continued divine mercy, blessings, and protection for the nation.
“Alhamdulillah, I had the opportunity to receive a farewell visit from the great Gambian scholar, Sheikh Muhammad Haydara Al-Jilani, who has been in Malaysia for the past month leading several series of knowledge and zikir gatherings in various locations,” Anwar posted on X.
He added: “Coinciding with the Day of Ashura, which also falls on this blessed Friday, I also requested that the Sheikh offer prayers for the prosperity of the rakyat, the security of the nation, and that Malaysia continues to be blessed with the mercy, blessings, and protection of Allah SWT.”
The visit was part of a broader dakwah programme organised in Malaysia, featuring religious lectures and spiritual gatherings. Sheikh Muhammad Haydara Al-Jilani, a descendant of the renowned Sufi saint Shaykh Abdul-Qadir Al-Jilani, leads the Qadriyya Association in The Gambia, where he is known for promoting education, healthcare, and spiritual guidance.
The Prime Minister’s engagement with the international Islamic scholar aligns with the #MalaysiaMADANI initiative, emphasising unity, knowledge, and spiritual development in the country.
A photo accompanying the announcement shows both leaders seated together in traditional attire, symbolising the warm ties between Malaysia and the Gambian scholar’s community.
This visit underscores Malaysia’s role as a hub for Islamic scholarship and inter-cultural spiritual exchange in the region.
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