Soft launch of Islamic World Film Fest 2013

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim,

Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Salam Sejahtera dan Salam 1Malaysia

The Hon. Rector, Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Zaleha Kamarudin,

Deputy Rectors,

YBhg. Prof. Tan Sri Dr Mohd Kamal Hassan, Chairman of the First World Congress on Integration and Islamicisation of Acquired Human Knowledge,

Prof. Dr Nor Faridah Abdul Manaf, Chairperson of Islamic World Film Festival Committee,

Datuk  Zulkifli Ishak, co-organiser of IWFF 2013,

Members of Film Directors’ Association of Malaysia,

Invited guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Alhamdulillah, I am grateful to Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala, for with His blessings and grace we are able to convene here today on this auspicious occasion.

2.      I am truly honoured to be present among you this afternoon at the soft launch of the first shariah-compliant Islamic World Film Festival (IWFF). The film fest will be hosted by the International Islamic University Malaysia in August next year in conjunction with the University’s 30^th year anniversary. It is also part of the first World Congress on Integration and Islamicisation of Acquired Human Knowledge. I am indeed very proud of the two ‘firsts’ that IIUM will be hosting on its 30^th Anniversary. These are testaments to the positioning of IIUM as an innovative and progressive Islamic university as we celebrate the technologies and the new media to promote a better understanding of Islam and Muslims through films.

3.      As I am made to understand, curating a film fest is no ‘walk-in-the-park’. What more an international AND a shariah-compliant one. The responsibility is tremendous to create the right mood, expectation, audience loyalty and satisfaction, and knowledge. While we appreciate and acknowledge the contributions and inspirations from other Islamic /Muslim film festivals organized in different parts of the world, we would like to make IWFF different. Since it is the first such film fest in this part of the world, we want to make it personally meaningful for people of Malaysia and this region.

4.      IWFF is not a task for a single organization. The world today thrives on inter-connected networks of multi-disciplinary, multi-skilled resources where the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts. I believe the organisers will do well by establishing a platform for Islamic scholars, film makers and production houses to forge a meaningful collaboration. Such collaboration can, and should, elevate shariah-compliant films towards greater success both artistically and commercially. There is surely a demand for such films in the Muslim world that wants to preserve strong Islamic values and also embraces the tools of the modern world. IWFF is a first step towards creating, and more importantly, sustaining a platform that can meet this demand.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

5.      There is a quote from a Hadith that I believe is apt for this occasion. Abdullah bin Umar narrated that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said: “Do not wish to be like anybody except in two cases: The case of a man whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it in the right way; and that of a man whom Allah has given religious wisdom and he gives verdicts according to it, and teaches it to others.”

6.      What is wealth without the religious wisdom to spend it wisely? And what good is wealth if it is not used to progress the society through awareness and education? This Film Fest sets out to do just that. Together with our partners, we hope a lot of negative perceptions not only of Islam and Muslims, but also the film industry itself can be dispelled.

7.      I truly hope IWFF will be successful in meeting its stated objectives, which are:

I.   Dispel the negative perceptions of Islam and Muslims

II.   Increase awareness of the plights and struggles faced by oppressed Muslims around the world, including Palestine  and Mindanao

III.   Create a platform for Muslim film and documentary makers to meet and discuss ways on progressing this art form from Islamic perspective

IV.   Nurture interest in shariah-compliant film and documentary productions among Muslim youths worldwide

and finally, and most importantly

V.   Facilitate in designing a guide for shariah-compliant film productions. Like the halal industry, one day shariah-compliant films can carry an SC certification which will help parents to choose appropriate films for their children.

8.      Before I end my speech, I wish to invite more participation from interested bodies and individuals to be a part of this inaugural festival and help make it a success. It is an opportunity for all who care for art, knowledge and spirituality to contribute towards this noble cause.

9.      Lastly, I wish to thank the Chairperson and the organizing committee members of Islamic World Film Festival 2013 for inviting me to this function and for giving me the honour of soft launching the event. I wish all the best for the success of IWFF 2013.

Wabillahitaufik Walhidayah

Wasalamualaikum

Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh