GOMBAK, 1 December 2025 — The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) today inaugurated the Ahmad Ibrahim Legacy Week (AILW) 2025 with an official opening ceremony that paid distinguished tribute to the late Professor Ahmad Ibrahim’s monumental contributions to Malaysia’s legal and constitutional landscape.
The ceremony held at the IIUM Senate Hall marked the commencement of a week-long programme dedicated to celebrating the profound influence of the eminent scholar on Islamic jurisprudence, legal education, and national development.
The ceremony commenced with an opening address delivered by Prof. Dr. Ida Madieha Abdul Ghani Azmi, Dean of the Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws (AIKOL), which underscored the importance of preserving and advancing Prof. Ahmad Ibrahim’s intellectual legacy. She highlighted his transformative role in shaping Islamic legal scholarship in Malaysia and affirmed that the values he championed, justice, integrity, and service to the nation, continue to define AIKOL’s vision and mission. Prof. Ida Madieha also urged students and academics to emulate the late scholar’s intellectual courage and to embrace innovative approaches to legal education in meeting contemporary societal demands.
A distinguished dialogue session followed, featuring Tan Sri Dato’ Mohamad Ariff bin Md Yusof, Founder and Consultant at Messrs Cheang & Ariff, former Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, and former Judge of the High Court and Court of Appeal. Addressing the theme “Prof. Ahmad Ibrahim: Nation Builder. Legacy Maker. Architect of Justice,” Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff offered thoughtful reflections on his personal encounters with the late professor and provided deep insights into his enduring influence on Malaysian legal development.
Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff emphasised Prof. Ahmad Ibrahim’s pivotal efforts in enhancing the position of Shariah law within Malaysia’s dual legal system and noted his instrumental role in a wide range of legal reforms that continue to shape national governance. He described the late professor as a scholar of exceptional commitment, intellectual discipline, and unwavering dedication to justice, attributes that left an indelible mark on the nation’s legal institutions.
He further stressed that Prof. Ahmad Ibrahim’s legacy remains vital in guiding current and future generations of legal practitioners, scholars, and policy-makers, particularly in addressing the complexities of integrating Shariah and civil law in a modern legal environment.
The session concluded with a call for sustained academic inquiry and robust intellectual engagement to address the evolving challenges of legal reform and societal development. Participants were encouraged to uphold the principles espoused by Prof. Ahmad Ibrahim by engaging critically with emerging legal issues and contributing meaningfully to the advancement of Malaysia’s legal system.
The ceremony, held annually by IIUM, stands as a distinguished platform for commemorating the life, scholarship, and enduring impact of the late Professor Ahmad Ibrahim. The Ahmad Ibrahim Legacy Week continues to reaffirm this commitment by honouring his profound contributions and recognising him as the principal architect of modern Islamic legal education in Malaysia.