TO COUNTRY’S LEADERS’
“The wala’ concept also encourages the use of knowledge and facts in politics to avoid disagreement and confrontation between citizens and their leaders.
“Adopting wala’ and obedience in a country will harness cooperation among its people,” he said in his keynote address at the International Wasatiyyah Seminar 2017 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here yesterday.
Abbas said in the case of Muslim nations, it was compulsory from the religious point of view for a current leadership to continue governing a country when all the systems used were not against Islam.
He said citizens must cooperate with the person or people who had been chosen to lead the country in maintaining its stability and development.
“The people also have a responsibility to advise their leaders on matters that concern them. But, it must be done in the right manner and not slanderous.
“There are several extremists who would try to bring chaos by claiming that their actions are done in the name of Islam. They have either fallen off track of what Islam really is or are only using the religion for their personal gain.”
At a press conference later, Abbas called on Muslim leaders and investors to give priority to businesses in Muslim countries to strengthen each other’s economies.
He said by doing so, Muslim nations would be stronger economically and politically, and poorer countries would benefit from the cooperation.
He said Muslim nations should come together to form a resolution to better protect countries, especially from those who wanted to see Islam fall.
He said it was important for Muslims to be united for the benefit of the religion and people in countries that were practising it.
“It is impossible to get everyone to agree on everything, but we should at least agree on what is best for Muslims.”
Kolej Universiti Insaniah rector Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Fakhrudin Abdul Mukti, who was the moderator during the keynote address, said in Malaysia, the wala’ and obedience concept had been instilled in Malaysians since they were young.
“Our ulama and teachers have taught us to love our leaders and sultan. We have been living in peace all these while under their leadership.”