Foundation: Scholars need to build ‘civilisational bridges’
BANGKOK: Scholars need to build more ‘civilisational bridges’ to enable peaceful coexistence between different people and faiths, says Global Movement of Moderates (GMM) Foundation.
Executive chairman and chief executive officer Datuk Dr Nasharudin Mat Isa said the scholars should not only build ‘bridges’ but also guide the masses in the right direction.
He cited the GMM Foundation as one of the examples of ‘civilisational bridges’, striving for peaceful co- existence between different people and faiths.
“In an era of confusion which has led to rising intolerance, there is the need for moderation to prevail. This can only come by the learned men and women of the present time.
“We need more ‘civilisational bridges’ to be constructed for people to cross it,” noted Nasharuddin when delivering his keynote address at an international conference on moderation here yesterday.
The conference titled, ‘Moderation: An Islamic Approach To Face The Global Transition on Asean-Thailand’ was held at the Chulalongkorn University.
According to Nasharuddin, throughout the existence of the GMM Foundation and since becoming an Asean initiative, it has strived to propagate moderation at national, regional and international levels.
The foundation had also struck closer bonds with Thailand’s Wasattiyah Institute for Peace and Development and the BishopUlama Conference from the Philippines, he said.
“The path of moderation is not an option, rather, it is a prerequisite for peace and prosperity,” he added.
Nasharuddin also announced GMM’s latest endeavour, the formation of ‘ Alliance of Researchers on Moderation’ as the foundation sought more participation and engagement of scholars in promoting peaceful co-existence. Earlier, GMM signed a memorandum of understanding with the Institute of Asian Studies, Scholar for Peace, in what he termed as another bridging of civilisations.
Also present at the event was Malaysian Ambassador to Thailand, Datuk Nazirah Hussain. — Bernama