IAIS Malaysia originated in the thoughts and ideas of its patron, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the Former Prime Minister of Malaysia, on the civilisational renewal of Islam (Islam Hadhari). His thought provoking book, Islam Hadhari: A Model Approach for Progress and Development, provided the conceptual framework of what was to follow. The idea of setting up a non-governmental think-tank to develop the intellectual aspects of Islam Hadhari arose in July 2007 and I was honoured to be entrusted with its development. I began the challenging task of bringing about a research institute with the help of only one associate, Puan Zarina Nalla, whose drive, close involvement and attention to almost every detail to make IAIS Malaysia a reality had been most valuable. The Institute has now a staff complement of 27.