NEWSLETTER EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA TO THE HOLY SEE JUL - SEP 2017 2nd Issue 2017 Inside this issue : MESSAGE FROM HIS EXCELLENCY TAN SRI BERNARD GILUK DOMPOK Message from the Ambassador of nt years or even decades in foreign lands. Malaysia to The Holy See. Their exposure abroad has enriched their lives and those of their families. On retire- Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration at the ment, can these experiences and exposure be Embassy of Malaysia to The Holy See. put to good use in Malaysia? ASEAN Flag raising ceremony in The Prime Minister has initiated a Global commemoration of the 50th Anniver- Movement of Moderates with a speech at the sary of the establishment of ASEAN. United Nations General Assembly in Septem- ber 2010. We are poised for the tabling of a Exchange of greetings with the Presi- Malaysian Resolution on Moderation at the dent of the Republic of Malta. 72nd UNGA. It is a laudible move, worthy of the country’s full support. In championing Engagements with International Greetings from Rome! moderation at the global stage inevitably the Organization/ Association/ Interreli- I entertained His Excellency Dato’ Abdul country will be subject to scrutiny as to gious Foundation to promote religious Samad Othman to lunch recently together whether in fact we can measure up to the understanding. with members of staff of both the Embas- ideals which we are asking the international sies of Malaysia to Italy and The Holy See. community to uphold. Perhaps this is where > Global Movement of Moderates Ambassador Samad is about to retire as Malaysians who have served abroad can be Foundation (GMMF). Ambassador to Italy. He has served his enlisted to serve the cause of Moderation and country well. I understand too that there put their knowledge and experience to good > Fellowship luncheon with the are quite a number of Malaysian diplo- use. Association of Churches Sarawak. mats due for retirement this year. At The Holy See, we are happy that our coun- > Focolare Movement. As a “newcomer” to the diplomatic try is preparing to move this Resolution. The service, I pay tribute to the dedication of activities which are highlighted in this issue > Engagement with the Press Office of the civil servants carrying the stripes of are certainly consonant with the aspirations The Holy See. Malaysia worldwide despite the of a country seeking global commitment to challenges of a troubled world and limita- Moderation. Meeting with Prof. Greg Craven, Vice tions in resources. Congratulations Chancellor of the Australian Catholic Ambassador Samad and all retiring ambas- It is this spirit too that I take this opportunity University (ACU). sadors and diplomats for a job well done! to wish all our Hindu friends, either globally or in Malaysia, Happy Deepavali. May the Courtesy Calls. In the course of their assignments abroad, Light of Diwali usher joy and happiness into ambassadors, counsellors, secretaries and your homes. Visit Malaysia 2017 other government officers have accumu- lated a wealth of experience and knowl- Best Wishes and Happy Reading! Vatican City Facts edge which have also shaped their lives and outlook as they and their families spe- Bernard Giluk Dompok Ambassador of Malaysia to The Holy See EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA TO THE HOLY SEE Telephone : +39 06 6830 8432 Via Della Conciliazione 4D Fax : +39 06 6821 6166 Unit 2, 2nd Floor, 00193 Rome, Italy. 1 E-mail : [email protected] HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI CELEBRATION AT THE EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA TO THE HOLY SEE His Excellency Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok and Puan Sri Diana Dompok hosted the Hari Raya Aidilfitri lunch at the Embassy of Malaysia to The Holy See on 5 July 2017. The lunch was attended by all Home Based Staff of the Embas- sies of Malaysia to The Holy See and Rome, together with their family members. It was a joyous event as everyone gathered as one family in this auspicious occasion. Among the delicacies served during the lunch include rendang, nasi impit, pulut kuning, kuah kacang, curry chicken and mutton, Raya cookies and etc. The Hari Raya Aidilfitri luncheon was the first festive event hosted by the Embassy of Malaysia to The Holy See since the Embassy’s establishment on 21st March 2017. EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA TO THE HOLY SEE Telephone : +39 06 6830 8432 Via Della Conciliazione 4D Fax : +39 06 6821 6166 Unit 2, 2nd Floor, 00193 Rome, Italy. 2 E-mail : [email protected] ASEAN FLAG RAISING CEREMONY IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ASEAN The ASEAN Embassies accredited to The Holy See celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN on 24 August 2017 in Rome, Italy. The celebration started with the ASEAN flag raising ceremony followed by an exposi- tion of ASEAN food and culinary. The ASEAN Flag raising ceremony and the ASEAN food and culinary exposition was the first ASEAN joint event co - hosted by the three ASEAN Embassies (Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines). The event was held as part of ASEAN’s initiative and commitment to further enhance ASEAN Solidarity and to promote ASEAN integration. After the flag raising Ceremony, all the participants were served with ASEAN food and delicacies prepared by the 3 Embassies. Among the food and delicacies served include Nasi Lemak, Rendang, Satay, Lontong, Chicken Adobo, cassava and etc. EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA TO THE HOLY SEE Telephone : +39 06 6830 8432 Via Della Conciliazione 4D Fax : +39 06 6821 6166 Unit 2, 2nd Floor, 00193 Rome, Italy. 3 E-mail : [email protected] NATIONAL DAY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MALTA His Excellency Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok congratulating Her Excellency Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of the Republic of Malta on the occasion of the 53rd National Day of Malta on 25 September 2017 in Rome. A reception was hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Malta to Rome. The President underlined the importance of seeking global peace, integration of EU, promotion of culture and connectivity in the globalised world. MEETING WITH GLOBAL MOVEMENT OF MODERATES FOUNDATION (GMMF) His Excellency Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok met Dato’ Dr. Nasharudin Mat Isa, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Movement of Moderates Foundation (GMMF) on 9 July 2017. Both sides had a fruitful exchange of views on promot- ing moderation as key towards achieving peace and harmony and to counter the rise of violent extremism. Mr. Wan Norhaziki Wan Abdul Halim who is currently pursuing his Doctoral programme at the Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies (PISAI) in Rome also joined in the discussion on strategies to promote global moderation through interreligious dialogue. EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA TO THE HOLY SEE Telephone : +39 06 6830 8432 Via Della Conciliazione 4D Fax : +39 06 6821 6166 Unit 2, 2nd Floor, 00193 Rome, Italy. 4 E-mail : [email protected] FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON WITH THE ASSOCIATION OF CHURCHES SARAWAK His Excellency Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok, Ambassador of Malaysia to The Holy See met the Members of the Associa- tion of Churches Sarawak on 19 July 2017. It was a fellowship luncheon with 20 Heads of Churches representing the various Christian denominations in Malay- sia. During the luncheon, His Excellency Tan Sri Bernard took the opportunity to brief the Members of the Association on the role of the Embassy of Malaysia to The Holy See. He also stressed the importance of cooperation in the field of education with the Holy See of which Malaysia could tap on the expertise and vast resources of the Vatican in the education sector. ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CATHOLIC FOCOLARE MOVEMENT His Excellency Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok met with Professor Roberto Catalano, Co-Director of the Centre for Interreligious Dialogue for Foco- lare Movement on 4 September 2017. The meeting was held at the Focolare Movement centre in Rome. Both sides exchanged views on religious understanding with the view to explore potential collaboration in the field of interreligious dialogue and education. The meeting was also part of Malaysia’s initiative to enhance engagement with the various Interna- tional Organization to promote mod- eration in averting extremism. EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA TO THE HOLY SEE Telephone : +39 06 6830 8432 Via Della Conciliazione 4D Fax : +39 06 6821 6166 Unit 2, 2nd Floor, 00193 Rome, Italy. 5 E-mail : [email protected] ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PRESS OFFICE OF THE HOLY SEE His Excellency Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok met Dr. Greg Burke, Director of the Holy See Press Office on 15 September 2017. Both sides discussed current regional and international issues facing the world today. Dr. Greg Burke was appointed as the Director of The Holy See press office on 11 July 2017. He took over the portfolio from Fr. Lombardi who is currently serving at the Ratzinger Foundation. MEETING WITH PROFESSOR GREG CRAVEN, VICE CHANCELLOR OF THE AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY His Excellency Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok met Professor Greg Craven, Vice Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University (ACU) on 6 July 2017. The Meeting was part of the Embassy’s continuous efforts to engage international universities to explore opportunities in the area of education and to exchange views and best practices in the setting up of University. His Excellency Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok is expected to visit University of St Mary’s Twickenham in UK and enhance engagement with the University of Notre Dame, USA. EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA TO THE HOLY SEE Telephone : +39 06 6830 8432 Via Della Conciliazione 4D Fax : +39 06 6821 6166 Unit 2, 2nd Floor, 00193 Rome, Italy. 6 E-mail : [email protected] COURTESY CALL BY HIS EXCELLENCY JEONG JONGHYU, AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA TO THE HOLY SEE His Excellency Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok received a courtesy call by His Excellency Jeong Jonghyu, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea on 18 September 2017.