Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Young Muslim leaders and enterpreneurs

I was a bit skeptical about the lineup of speakers at the 6th World Islamic Econ Forum which KL hosts this year but the pre-forum introduced us to so many young talents of the Muslim world and beyond.Truly inspiring and some talk sessions moved me so much esp. of this young lady from Manila who converted to Islam and became champion of the poor.It started with her love for horses (she is an equestrian who has won many medals in many world events).Met her mom at the Forum and congratulated her for having such a wonderful daughter, so sensitive to things spiritual.When asked if she had no prob with her conversion, she said not at all.Being the busy body I am, I asked "what about her dad?" She said the father yang converted dulu but it was her Arab equestrian friends who introduced Islam to her daughter and Toni said she went home to read more and the more she read, the more convinced she was that she was a Muslim.Toni was raised as a Catholic)

Anyway, I heard Nazir Razak spoke as a young CEO.Pretty impressive.And Aziz from Paris is a young millionaire.He started a taxi biz (out of social revenge he said) As a child of an immigrant, he didn't like the racism, marginalisation he encountered so he set to create wealth to be treated equally.His taxi biz slogan was " faster than a bird, cheaper than a taxi." Kelakar kan?

Jacques Chirac came to his biz launch.

Someone in the audience asked (also a French Muslim chap but he lives in KL) how these successful CEOs and enterpreneurs kept their faith cos usually when wealth increases, faith decreases, he said. The young leaders/enterpreneurs said they didn't think abt it but just did what had to be done.But Toni referred a lot to her faith in Allah as something motivational for her.

That rep from Air Asia came across as arrogant.I thot it was a cheap shot promoting Air Asia when they did not even sponsor the event (MAS did). Bak kata the moderator (so funny guy who spoke in thick British accent tapi rupa mcm Msian Indian.I loved him though.So witty) is he courageous or plain stupid? (in ref to stg else)

Rosmah Mansor spoke at lunch.Sah dialah PM kita sebenarnya! She is more composed and poised than Najib.In fact, she speaks better!

3 comments:

Faridah said...

Shaukat Aziz (former Pakistan PM): The difference between a politician and a leader is a politician thinks of the next election, a leader thinks of the next generation

Lady of Leisure said...

Salam Dr, i know this is a bit too late: Happy Mother's day and Happy Teacher's Day. Tq for being my lecturer dulu. :-)

Faridah said...

Lady, better late than never.:)
A mother and a teacher will not be a happy combination.Barang mahal la sekarang.What is the inflation rate now? It'll be hard for a teacher mom to teach a child how to berjimat cermat.Maknya pun sama ~ susah nak berjimat cermat!

Anyway, have a great week ahead.At least we still eat 5 meals a day (snacks included)