Najib urges Muslim leaders to take lead in fighting terror

across the Muslim world, Trump stressed that the war on terrorism was not a fight between different faiths, or civilisations.

He urged Muslim nations to take the lead in fighting extremists and terrorists, and blamed Iran for the instability in the region.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and other Muslim leaders at the summit reaffirmed the urgent need for closer cooperation and moderation in the global fight against terrorism and extremism.

Amid rising regional tensions, many believed that Iran and Syria must halt spurring sectarian strife and interference in affairs related to regional countries.

Najib, who was here on the invitation of King Salman, was one of five leaders invited to address the summit after Jordan, Egypt, Indonesia and Kuwait.

This is in recognition of Malaysia’s role in fighting extremism and promoting moderation.

Malaysia has consistently advocated unity in the ummah, respecting the various Islamic sects, including Shias and Sunnis, as it believes this is key to ensuring stability and peace.

Najib asserted that Iran should not undermine stability in the Middle East.

“As a country that enjoys and values good relations with countries in the region, Malaysia feels that Iran should avoid any action that could be interpreted 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.”

The driving theme of his speech is that the Muslim nations completely condemn terrorism and violent extremism.

That unstable regions are fertile grounds for terrorism to flourish.

That there is the need for a united front in the war on terrorism.

That the Islamic world and the US fight together.

Embedded in that is a challenge to the Islamic world to take the lead in the war.

As a country that enjoys and values good relations with countries in the region, Malaysia feels that Iran should avoid any action that could be interpreted as interfering in the internal affairs of its neighbours.