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By Mohd Abbas Abdul Razak, PhD
Visiting AIU
In early August 2025, I had the opportunity to visit Albukhary International University (AIU) in Alor Setar, Kedah, at the invitation of AMSA, a student organization dedicated to supporting the welfare of Myanmar students on campus. I was accompanied by two colleagues from IIUM: Dr Maulana Akbar Shah from Myanmar, who is regarded within the Myanmar community at AIU as a father figure, readily advising and guiding emerging minds while seeking amicable solutions to community issues; and Dr Alizaman Dumangcag Gamon from the Philippines, whose extensive experience in international education and student affairs allowed him to contribute valuable insights and innovative ideas for enhancing student support and engagement. Our purpose in visiting AIU was to address the students on the epistemological and cosmological ideas found in the Qur’an.
My interactions with students and my walkabout around the AIU campus filled my heart with awe. The magnificence of the buildings, their architectural design, and the carefully executed landscaping across the campus led me to reflect deeply on the philosophical foundations of the university, as well as the mission and vision underlying its establishment and existence.
The Founder
Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Shah bin Syed Nor Al-Bukhary, a native of Kedah, Malaysia, is the founder and principal financier of Albukhary International University. His roots trace back to Hadhramaut in Yemen. Born in Alor Setar in 1951, he rose from humble beginnings through hard work and determination to become a prominent Malaysian businessman and philanthropist. His success, coupled with his commitment to sharing his wealth, has made him an iconic figure, particularly within the Malaysian Muslim community.
Through the Albukhary Foundation, he established the Albukhary Mosque in Alor Setar and another in Kuala Lumpur. In addition to these landmark mosques, the foundation has funded or supported approximately 10–14 other mosques across Malaysia. At the international level, the foundation has sponsored mosque reconstruction projects in countries such as India and Bosnia. Beyond mosque-related initiatives, the Albukhary Foundation undertakes a wide range of philanthropic activities, including the provision of free education, healthcare services, the management of orphanages, and humanitarian assistance for victims of natural disasters.
Syed Mokhtar is a low-profile business tycoon in Malaysia, well-known for his humility and generosity, particularly in supporting the poor and needy, as well as brilliant minds from disadvantaged countries. According to Forbes and Malaysian business media, as of December 2, 2025, his net worth is estimated to be between US$2.2 and 2.3 billion. In Malaysia, this places him among the top ten richest individuals in the country. He is also widely acknowledged as the wealthiest Malay Muslim in Malaysia.
In recognition of his extensive humanitarian and charitable contributions, the Malaysian government and several state governments have conferred upon him numerous honorific titles, including Tan Sri, Dato’ Sri, Datuk, and Datuk Wira. In 2008, he was the national-level recipient of the Ma’al Hijrah Award.
Campus Life
Albukhary International University (AIU) is a nonprofit institution of higher learning established by philanthropist Syed Mokhtar Albukhary as a gesture of kindness to humanity. Founded in 2010, the university is located on an 18-hectare campus near Alor Setar, Kedah, and is equipped with modern, state-of-the-art learning facilities. While contemporary in many aspects, its architectural design reflects the grandeur of the golden era of Islam.
Since its inception, AIU has attracted students from more than 60 countries. At present, the university has an estimated student population of about 3,000 (this figure is not official). Approximately eighty-two per cent of the students are from abroad, while eighteen per cent are local Malaysians. All students studying at AIU, whether Malaysian or international, are provided with scholarships that cover tuition fees, on-campus accommodation, and living expenses.
AIU is situated within the larger landscape of the Sharifah Rokiah Centre of Excellence (SRCE). Philosophically, these two entities share a common vision, namely, serving and uplifting humanity. In addition to being a centre of academic excellence, SRCE also houses a mosque, a commercial bazaar, an orphanage, and various community service facilities, all of which complement the university’s educational mission.
The philosophical foundation upon which AIU is built emphasizes the production of students who combine academic excellence with belief in God and compassion for humanity. Simply put, AIU’s learning environment is a synthesis of three noble principles: the pursuit of knowledge, the cultivation of good character, and service to society. The university’s core values are anchored in Aqidah (belief in God), Akhlaq (moral virtue), Adab (humility), Amanah (trust), and Amalan (the application of knowledge in practice).
A Holistic and Balanced Education
The mission of the university is to nurture graduates who can serve humanity through education and social business, and who are responsible and responsive to the needs of their communities. As for its vision, AIU aspires to produce individuals capable of innovating practical solutions through the convergence of ideas to help humanity overcome its challenges. The curriculum and campus life are therefore designed to develop intellectually critical minds, ethical conduct, and compassionate engagement with others. Finally, student life at AIU places strong emphasis on a balanced daily rhythm: eight hours of quality education and learning, eight hours devoted to helping others, and eight hours of sound rest.
Wealth with Wisdom
It is widely believed that a sudden increase in wealth and fame tends to change people. This can be observed among great performers, film stars, politicians, businesspeople, and many others. We have observed that, in some, an overnight successalters their attitudes and behaviour. This instant rise to riches makes some forget their humble beginnings in life. When desert lands become oil-producing lands, life, once modest and ordinary in those regions, becomes flamboyant and wasteful. This rapid and unprecedented rise in affluence has caused some rulers to spend money lavishly, which benefits only the rich and neglects the needs of ordinary citizens and the underprivileged people within the Muslim Ummah. There are stories of oil-rich Muslim rulers giving away billions of dollars to corrupt leaders in the West to remain in power.
In contrast, Syed Mokhtar’s character and personality are very different. He still cherishes the hard lessons he has learnt in life. He maintains the humility and simplicity he practised before he came to fame and the glory of affluence. He has always attributed his success to faith and hard work. He truly believes that there are no shortcuts to success. He also truly believes in the Qur’anic principle that there is a portion for the poor and needy in the wealth of the rich. In addition, he believes that for every act of charity, Allah increases the wealth of the one who gives manifold.
(The views expressed are those of Dr. Mohd Abbas Abdul Razak, Department of Fundamental and Interdisciplinary Studies, AHAS KIRKHS, IIUM, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Potret Online.)
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