He was met on arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) by Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu.

Rouhani will join Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and a number of other Muslim leaders at the summit from tomorrow to Saturday.

The event, which brings together Muslim leaders, intellectuals, scholars and thinkers, will deliberate and find new and workable solutions to problems afflicting the Muslim world.

‘Sophia’ catches Mahathir’s eye

“Sophia”, who will make her appearance at the summit, caught the attention of Mahathir, who visited the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today to observe preparations for the summit.

However, the prime minister said there was “one thing” lacking in the humanoid robot.

“The preparations seem good. I am satisfied. I feel the programmes are also good. Only one thing remains because our Sophia appears to be bald-headed, so a little hair may be good,” he said.

Serba Dinamik said it brought in the robot, which displays human-like expressions and interacts with people, at the request of Mahathir himself.

Its senior vice-president for the special projects and training division, Mohamed Ackiel Mohamed, said “Sophia” would make an appearance and give a short welcoming speech to the delegates after the opening ceremony.

“Thereafter, the robot will be displayed at the exhibition area at the Serba Dinamik display booth until the conclusion of the summit,” he said.