From 11 to 12 January 2025, YB Dato' Setia Dr. Haji Mohd Na'im Bin Haji Mokhtar, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Malaysia, undertook a working visit to Islamabad to participate in the International Conference on Girls' Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities. The event was hosted by the Government of Pakistan in collaboration with the Muslim World League (MWL), bringing together high-level delegates, including Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Secretary-General of the OIC and MWL, senior officials from member states, and prominent advocates such as Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai.
The conference focused on critical issues surrounding girls' education in Muslim communities, with an emphasis on overcoming cultural, social, and economic barriers to education. During the event, YB Dato' Setia Dr. Haji Mohd Na'im had the honor of delivering a keynote address during a ministerial session titled "Education For All And Community Development: An Overview From A Malaysian Perspective." In his address, he discussed Malaysia's commitment to enhancing education, particularly Islamic education, through coordinated efforts by the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs). He also highlighted key initiatives led by YAB Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, such as TAKMIR, KAFA, and TVET, which aim to improve educational access and quality for all Malaysians.
In his address, he also shared the theme "Education For All & Community Development," where he spoke about Malaysia's efforts to empower girls and promote equitable access to education, aligning with the objectives of the conference. The session highlighted the importance of educational reforms, international cooperation, and actionable strategies to break down the barriers faced by girls, especially in the areas of cultural and social constraints.
On the sidelines of the conference, YB Dato' Setia Dr. Haji Mohd Na'im engaged in bilateral meetings with key leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Secretary-General of the OIC and MWL. These discussions centered on advancing educational initiatives, as well as addressing broader regional issues such as stability and humanitarian concerns, with a focus on building stronger partnerships between Malaysia and Pakistan.
YB Dato' Setia Dr. Haji Mohd Na'im's participation at the conference underscored Malaysia’s ongoing commitment to educational development, as well as its support for global initiatives that focus on empowering girls in Muslim communities. The working visit was an opportunity for Malaysia to reinforce its role as a leader in advancing educational reforms, both regionally and globally, through continued collaboration and dialogue on these critical issues.
