Press Statement
For Immediate Release
Petaling Jaya, 15 December 2010– The Temple of Understanding, New York, recently conferred the title “Interfaith Visionary” upon Dr Chandra Muzaffar,Chairman of Yayasan 1Malaysia. Dr Chandra is the only awardee from Southeast Asia from among 66 renowned international recipients who received the award from the global interfaith association. Others who received the Juliet Hollister award include Archbishop Desmond Tutu and HRH Prince Al Hassan bin Talal.
Dr Chandra Muzaffar, 63, who is both a social activist and an academic, was honoured for his life-long advocacy of human rights and inter-religious understanding. Dr Chandra is also President of the International Movement for a Just World (JUST) , the holder of the Noordin Sopiee Chair of Global Studies at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and he has published extensively on civilisational dialogue, international politics, religion, human rights and Malaysian society.
The Temple of Understanding, created in 1960 by Juliet Hollister, is a nonprofit and non-governmental organization (NGO) in consultative status with the U.N. Economic and Social Council. This year marks its 50th Anniversary. Since its inception, the Temple of Understanding has been a consistent advocate for global citizenship, religious and culture diversity and the promotion of constructive social change.
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Yayasan 1Malaysia
Yayasan 1Malaysia was established in July 2009 as a non-partisan, independent, and non-profit foundation with its vision being to engage all Malaysians in working towards national unity and the 1Malaysia concept.
The foundation was set up by a group of like-minded Malaysians who are keen to see the concept of 1Malaysia, which is guided by the Federal Constitution, become central in the lives of all Malaysians.
Board of Trustees include Professor Dr Chandra Muzaffar, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Dato’ Dr Mahani Zainal Abidin, Dato’ Sri Tony Fernandes, Dato’ Dr Ismail Ibrahim, Dr Peter Kedit and Ahmad Izham Omar.
For more information or clarification, please contact:
Alice Thomas (alice@yayasan1malaysia.org; 019 352 7789)
Ong Yuen Ling (yuenling@yayasan1malaysia.org; 016 379 1889)
Mohd Shaqirin Saadon (shaqirin@yayasan1malaysia.org; 013 786 2755)