Since 2002, UNESCO has designated every third Thursday of November as World Philosophy Day. So this year 2025, the date of the World Philosophy Day falls on 20 November 2025.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to say a few words of welcome in conjunction with the celebration of World Philosophy Day in Malaysia to be held on that date at the Grand Ballroom, Renaissance Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. From what I understand, the occasion will include speeches, forums of discussions by invited panellists on topics of philosophical interest, a convocation ceremony and of course a grand dinner.

But for the moment let us start with the obvious : what is philosophy? Etymologically the word philosophy comes from the Greek word “philosophia” meaning love of wisdom. Love of wisdom is the other side of love of food. We humans need at least both for it has been said “Man shall not live by bread alone” (Bible, Deuteronomy 8:3 and Matthew 4:4). While physical sustenance is necessary for life, we also require – among others – intellectual nourishment or wisdom to truly thrive.

Love of wisdom leads us to examine fundamental questions about and on life : what is good, what is justice, what is freedom, is there a purpose to life, why we exist, where we come from, where will we go to…

Such questions and their answers (if any) form the path to self reflection and hopefully to self-discovery. Self-discovery is the ancient call of know thyself. The Quran alludes to self-discovery in chapter 51 Adh-Dhariyat, verse 20-21 : And on the earth are signs for the certain in faith, as in yourselves. Then will you not see? [Translation by Sahih International].

Let us hope this year’s celebration of World Philosophy Day in Malaysia at the Grand Ballroom, Renaissance Hotel, Kuala Lumpur on 20 November 2025 will bring together like-minded people from all over the world for productive discussions, learned discourses and elevating interactions – all of which to bring us closer to knowing ourselves, to our self-discovery.