KUALA LUMPUR: Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan was conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of International Relations by Universiti Malaya (UM) in a special convocation yesterday.

In her acceptance speech, she said she would do her best to live up to the promise of the doctorate as she believed international relations was an area where the world needed help.

Rania added that because every country, every culture and every tradition had something of value to teach us, "the more we learn about others' lives, the more dimensions we add to our own".

"I believe that if more people from the West could come to know the Muslim world, they might find their preconceptions melting away and their perspectives enhanced and improved.

"Clearly, the West needs to do more to bridge the East-West divide. But we in the East must do more to make it clear what it is they are reaching for.
"I hope Malaysia will be a leading force in that endeavour, because your example is a powerful contradiction to so many of the negative stereotypes."

Rania pointed out that while some said Islam was incompatible with economic dynamism, Muslim-majority Malaysia was one of the world's most competitive trading powers.

Also, some believed that women in Muslim societies were oppressed, but Malaysian women were making strides in every sector, from politics and government to business and banking.

"Some are convinced that Islam is intolerant and inward-looking. But, here in Malaysia, a host of varied cultures have come together, weaving different traditions, flavours and faiths into a tapestry all their own.

"Malaysia may be truly Asia, but it is also truly multicultural."

Rania said that for centuries, Jordan had been a place that brought East and West together as a historic trade route and a meeting place for travellers.

"Jordan is a leading voice for tolerance and moderation. We are proud of our past, confident in our future and open to the world."

As such, she said, though both countries were half a world apart, Jordan and Malaysia were natural partners in extending this partnership worldwide.

She said UM students saw more cultures in their classrooms than some people saw in a lifetime, and they were fluent in multiple languages and familiar with multiple traditions.

Meanwhile, UM vice-chancellor Datuk Rafiah Salim, in her citation, said that the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) had in November 2000 invited Rania to join its Global Leadership Initiative in recognition of her commitment to children and youth.

She was recently appointed Unicef's first-ever Eminent Advocate for Children.

Later, Rania planted a Keruing Pipit tree in the vicinity of the Dewan Tunku Canselor and witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Rafiah and University of Jordan vice-president Professor Dia-Eddin Arafeh.

Rafiah said the MoU was part of UM's internationalisation programme.

"We will have student and staff exchange programmes and we will collaborate in specific fields such as medicine.

"The law faculty will be also be having projects with the University of Jordan."