‘Wasatiyyah relevant to all’

PM: Moderation a crucial shield against extreme ideologies

PUTRAJAYA:

Although wasatiyyah is a Quranic concept, the moderation conception should also be practised by non-Muslims, says Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“Although it is a Quranic concept, it does not mean that it is not relevant to non-Muslims.

“There are verses in the Quran that states this as well as hadith that instructs us on the unity that transcends diversity,” he said.

The Prime Minister described moderation as a crucial shield against extreme ideologies, radicalisation and terrorism.

Najib said the Government had always been a strong advocate of moderation and specifically promoted the concept of wasatiyyah as a framework applicable across a range of areas from governance to dispute resolution and problem solving.

At both national and international platforms, Malaysia had applied the wasatiyyah concept in a number of situations.

The Prime Minister cited the southern Philippines peace process and southern Thailand peace dialogue as among cases where the moderation concept was used to settle long-standing disputes.

“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, world aid and attention, “he said.

Najib said international cooperation to fight extremism and terrorism had intensified among security forces through enhanced technologies and capabilities, as well as sharing intelligence.

But these efforts alone, he said, could not address the problem entirely, adding that more had to be done to explain why the Islamic State propaganda is the very opposite of Islam.