Mercy M'sia President Conferred 'Gandhi, King, Ikeda Award'

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- Mercy Malaysia president Datuk Dr Jemilah Mahmood was conferred the 'Gandhi, King, Ikeda Award' Thursday, making her the first Malaysian to receive such recognition by the Martin Luther King Jr International Chapel of Morehouse College, United States.
According to a press statement released here, the institute's dean, Dr Lawrence E Carter Sr presented the award which was accepted by Dr Jemilah's husband, Datuk Dr Ashar Abdullah, on her behalf.
Dr Jemilah is currently attending a United Nations training programme in Sweden.
"We are proud to link Dr Jemilah's name with our highest honour as she is an exemplary human being who has caught our attention with her undying efforts in providing medical and humanitarian aid through Mercy Malaysia to those suffering, regardless of race, colour and creed," said Carter.
The Gandhi, King, Ikeda Award symbolises the tradition of peace-work based on non-violence that Mahatma Gandhi, Dr Martin Luther King Jr and Dr Daisaku Ikeda shared.
Previous recipients include former US Ambassador to the UN Andrew Young and 1998 Nobel Peace Laureate John Hume.
The conferment also marked the launching of the Gandhi, King, Ikeda - A Legacy of Building Peace Exhibition, that is presently being held by the Soka Gokkai Malaysia organisation.