Is antisemitic Mahathir becoming a leading figure in the Muslim world?
Today was the first day of the Kuala Lumpur Summit in Malaysia, where leaders from the world’s most populous Muslim Majority’s came together to address issues facing the Muslim world such as Islamophobia, leadership, and poverty.
Although there were several last-minute dropouts from leaders, such as Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan, organizers of the event state that there are at least 250 foreign representatives from 52 countries and 150 Malaysian delegates in attendance.
In theory, the goals of the summit are positive and the aims, such as progression and economic stability, laudable. However, the problem comes in when you consider who is the organizer and leader of this gathering – Prime Minister Mohammad Mahathir, a proud antisemite and Israel-hater with disturbing opinions.
The list of his slurs and antisemitic comments is as lengthy as it is vile. In a 2012 blog post, Mahathir stated that he is “proud to be labeled antisemitic,” and in his autobiography he claims that “Jews are not merely hook-nosed but understand money instinctively.” There have been multiple times where he questioned the accuracy of the Holocaust, and he often blames the “Jewish agenda” for his own economic failures.
It is hard to tell whether he is more antisemitic or anti-Israel. A popular Malaysian outlet, Malaysiakini, reported him stating, “What is the reason we don’t allow Israelis to come here? We say they are crooks, and we just got rid of one crook,” and he was widely criticized after his decision to ban Israeli para-athletes from a swimming meet planned in Malaysia.
Indeed, Mahathir has never missed an opportunity to insult, mock, and vehemently criticize both the Jewish people, and the state of Israel. So, it is highly concerning that this very man is leading an International summit for Muslim leaders and taking other steps to position himself as a central figure in the Islamic world.
Attendees of the four-day summit include Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamid Al-Thani, and several leaders of terrorist organization Hamas.
Mahathir welcomed the guests claiming, “We need to find a way to address our shortcomings, our dependency on non-Muslims, to protect ourselves against the enemies of Islam,” giving the clear message that the “enemies of Islam” are front and center on his mind as he steers the event forward. With a crowd that is already eager for the destruction of Israel, there is no doubt this summit will stir up anger and a thirst for “revenge.”
Besides being the host of this summit, Mahathir has been making several other moves to show his alliance to Hamas. The political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was given permission to tour several Muslim countries after a year and a half travel ban.
One of the first countries on the list of his destinations is Malaysia due to a personal invitation from Mahathir. The two leaders have a close relationship and often have long phone calls, in which Mahathir has reportedly stated that he views Israel as a “criminal state which Malaysia does not welcome.”
Having yet another open antisemite rally for a position of importance in the Muslim world is frightening. What is even more frightening is how most of the Western world respect and admire the Malaysian prime minister for his famous sarcasm, his elderly wisdom, and his charismatic smile.
Mahathir has shown himself to be a conniving and talented politician, with the ability to influence and unite. And if he uses this power to stir up more hatred and anger, there could be dangerous consequences.
The author is a British student completing a master’s degree in political science.