Majlis Konvokesyen ke-23 USIM | 2025

25 D atuk Abdul Latiff S. Mirasa hails from the Pearl of the Orient, Penang. He is a highly respected figure in Islamic culture, with a profound educational background and extensive experience in the fields of Islamic heritage, calligraphy, and the development of Quranic civilization. He is not only a distinguished thinker and organisational leader, but also a pioneering innovator dedicated to advancing Islamic heritage beyond national borders. The educational journey of Datuk Abdul Latiff S. Mirasa began in 1967 at the Institute of the Malay Language (now known as the Institute of Language and Literacy). He obtained a certificate in education. He then pursued a Bachelor’s degree in History at the University of Malaya, graduating in 1975. His passion and commitment to human development continued as he successfully completed a Master’s degree in Counselling and Personnel at Western Michigan University, USA, in 1981. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to education and the development of Islamic civilization, Datuk Abdul Latiff S. Mirasa was conferred the title of Honorary Professor by the Kazakh National Agrarian University in 2011. His extensive and well-rounded academic background highlights his distinction in spearheading various cultural, educational, and dakwah initiatives at both local and global levels. He is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Yayasan Restu, a distinguished national institution pioneering the transcription, preservation, and advancement of Quranic art. Under his visionary leadership, Yayasan Restu made history with the creation of the Mushaf al-Quran Malaysia; the first handwritten and fully illuminated Quranicmanuscript produced in Malaysia. This masterpiece stands as a testament to the beauty and sanctity of the Divine Revelation, to be cherished and passed down to future generations. Datuk Abdul Latiff is also the pioneer and Chief Executive Officer of Kompleks Nasyrul Quran, the world’s second-largest Quran printing centre, located in Putrajaya. More than just a printing hub, the complex serves as a vibrant platform for cultural exchange, research, the dissemination of Islamic outreach, and the creation of Islamic art, harnessing modern technologies such as digital visualisation and artificial intelligence (AI). With a clear vision rooted in cultural heritage, he strengthened the tourism sector through the establishment of Mudzaffar Hotel Melaka, which showcases Malay–Islamic architecture as a hallmark of cultural identity within the hospitality industry. His contributions extend beyond national borders through major initiatives such as the One Million Copies al-Qur’an Waqf, the publication of the al-Qur’an in various world languages, as well as the construction of iconic mosques that harmonise artistic beauty with profound spiritual significance. Among these are the Al-Badr Seribu Selawat Mosque, the Chinese Mosque on Pangkor Island, the Suri Seri Begawan Raja Pengiran Anak Damit Mosque in Brunei, and the Al-Kauthar Mosque in Perlis. As an educator and community leader, Datuk Abdul Latiff also founded Kolej Antarabangsa Restu to train a new generation in Quranic manuscript art, calligraphy, manuscript illumination ( zukhruf ), Islamic design, and Islamic heritage arts in their entirety. He has also made significant contributions to the fields of education, social development, youth initiatives, and community empowerment through close collaboration with government departments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and international agencies. In addition to being recognised as a distinguished figure in heritage and the arts, he has also served in the public sector as a Lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia, a Private Secretary to several Federal Ministers, and as a State Executive Councillor (EXCO) of the Penang State Government. His distinguished service in administration and community development