WASATIYYAH FIGHTS TERROR
The world needs to be reminded that Muslim nations condemn terrorism and violent extremism, and they stand with the international community to eradicate this menace, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the Arab-Islamic-US Summit in Riyadh on Sun
Bismillahhirahmanirrahim Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh
Your Majesty King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud,
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques;
President Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America;
Your Majesties,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
LET me start by extending my special thanks to His Majesty King Salman Bin Abdulaziz AlSaud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for initiating this historic Arab-Islamic-US Summit. I would also like to thank you President Trump for reaching out to establish a new strategic partnership with the Muslim world to fight violent extremism and global terrorism.
Your Majesty, we, in Malaysia were delighted and honoured to receive you recently. It was truly a momentous chapter in our bilateral relations. Your visit was a demonstration of the love, warmth, respect and gratitude between our peoples.
Your Majesty,
Excellencies,
This summit could not be more timely. The world needs to be reminded that the Muslim nations present today completely condemn terrorism and violent extremism. The world should have no doubt that we stand collectively with the international community in the fight to eradicate this global menace.
We, in Malaysia, have not flagged in our efforts to combat the spread of radicalism. Towards this end, my government has promoted the concept of
wasatiyyah, which is the Quranic injunction towards moderation. I called for the establishment of a Global Movement of Moderates at the United Nations in 2010, and we have set up a foundation to support that in Kuala Lumpur. And, our de-radicalisation programme has had a remarkable 95 per cent success rate in reintegrating former extremists.
Malaysia stands ready to share our expertise, just as we have long worked with partners around the world.
In 2015, Malaysia and the United States worked to establish the Digital Strategic Communications Division to counter the negative messaging of terrorism.
We have worked with Australia to stop the flow of funding for terrorist groups and with the UK and France in seven flagship areas, which include cyber-terrorism, as well as youths and the paths to terrorism.
Your majesty, among the major agreements reached during your recent state visit is the establishment of the King Salman Centre for International Peace in Kuala Lumpur. This centre, which is a landmark collaboration between our countries in our fight against extremism, will begin operations in June 2017, after its launching by His Highness the Deputy Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.
Your Majesty,
Excellencies,
Due to religious and cultural affinity, Malaysians have always felt close to the peoples and countries in this region. Current instability in the region has, thus, raised much concern to us all. Unstable regions are fertile grounds for terrorism to flourish.
I am aware that there is a widespread belief here that Iran has contributed largely to the instability in the region. As a country that enjoys and values good relations with countries in the region, Malaysia feels that Iran should and must avoid any action that could be seen as interfering in the internal affairs of its neighbours.
This is not only for the sake of regional stability but also for the unity of the ummah.
Your Majesty,
Excellencies,
The fight against terrorism is not just military. It is also about winning hearts and minds. To do this, a credible narrative needs to be told, in which Islam and modernity are compatible; material progress and religious devotion go hand in hand; and religious knowledge and scientific inquiry mutually reinforce one another.
In Malaysia and many parts of the Muslim world, this is our reality. We must, however, emphasise and reinforce our stories so that the true Islam is known the world over, while at the same time we coordinate to crush Daesh and their allies wherever their malign presence is felt.
Let me conclude by thanking the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for this initiative, which signals to the community of nations that Muslim countries are united in their desire to eradicate terrorism.
Your Majesty, you can be rest assured that Malaysia is steadfast and resolute in its support to the Kingdom and your leadership as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
Thank you.
The fight against terrorism is not just military. It is also about winning hearts and minds.