NAJIB: TO BE MUSLIM IS TO BE MODERATE
Religious institutions, experts should play bigger role in fight against terror, says PM
THE role of religious institutions should not only be to spread the faith, but also to actively counter terrorism and extremism. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib, in saying this yesterday, called on religious experts and institutions to become more engaged and innovative in countering extremist ideology and distorted narratives on religious obligations.
“The propaganda of the Islamic State and their followers is cunning and slick. We have to do everything in our power to explain exactly why their actions are the opposite of Islamic,” he said at the closing of the Putrajaya International Security Dialogue 2018.
Present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Muslim World League (Rabitah al-Alam al-Islami) secretary-general Dr Muhammad Abdul Kareem Al-Issa.
On the advice of scholars, Najib laid out some of the groundwork on which Quran-based antiterrorism education and information could and should be produced and related.
He said moderation was a crucial shield against extremist ideology, radicalisation and terrorism.
He cited two verses each from Surah Al-Haj and Surah Al-Baqarah that together committed all Muslims to moderation.
“These verses uniquely employ the same injunction to witness.
“Together, they actually imply that being named a Muslim and belonging to a moderate people are the same.
“They further imply that, as the Prophet witnesses our efforts to be both Muslim and moderate, so must we bear witness to fellow believers that if we are Muslim, we are also moderate. “This is part of an Islamic theology and fiqh of moderation. I call on our scholars to build this theology on sure Quranic and Prophetic foundations.”
Najib called on leaders to craft a roadmap for teaching this theology to the worldwide ummah.
“Imams, religious school teachers, media experts, business people, politicians, diplomats and counterterrorism experts will have a part in this great work.
“Our roadmap will move us towards societies and governments that proactively implement the theology of moderation in law and practise.”
He said Malaysia’s belief in moderation led the country to speak up about the plight of the Rohingya and Palestinians.
“It will, in some circumstances, be more diplomatic not to do so. But moderation is not an easy path.
“It sometimes requires brave decisions. And, we will continue undeterred to fight for our brothers and sisters who deserve justice and the world’s aid and attention,” he said, to applause.
He said although wasatiyyah was a Quranic concept, it did not mean it was irrelevant to nonMuslims.
The Prophet, he said, had told Muslims about how unity transcended diversity.
On IS, Najib said the terror group continued to pose a serious and potent threat in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
“Ninety-five Malaysians have in fact been identified as joining IS in Syria and Iraq.
“Out of this, 34 were killed, eight have returned to Malaysia, where they were subsequently arrested, while the remainder consisting of 36 adults and 17 children are still there.”
He said Malaysia’s strong commitment to promoting moderation and countering extremism had earned international recognition, including in Islamic financing and security.
He cited the example of Malaysia being chosen by Saudi Arabia to establish the King Salman Centre for International Peace.
“It underlies that we are key allies in the fight to promote moderation,” Najib said, adding that the safety and security of the people was always his priority.