Najib props 1Malaysia against global extremism
Nigel AwPublished: Jan 17, 2012 11:25 AM | Updated: Jan 17, 2012 4:46 PM
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today propped his 1Malaysia concept as indicative of a national spirit against global extremism.
UPDATED 12.01PM
The premier tells international delegates that Malaysia has always been synonymous with moderation.
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today propped his 1Malaysia concept as indicative of a national spirit against global extremism.
Speaking to nearly 1,000 foreign delegates at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur this morning, the premier said Malaysia has always been synonymous with moderation.
“We have many ethnic groups, many religions, but we continually strive to be harmonious and a truly united nation predicated on values of moderation and the spirit of 1Malaysia.
“We know that we are best and strongest when we actively embrace our differences rather than just putting up with them and it is in that spirit that we come together at the first ever meeting of the Global Movement of the Moderates.”
The conference is a culmination of Najib's call for a global movement of moderates, made before last year’s United Nations General Assembly.
Spearheading the "clarion for moderation", the premier unveiled the formation of an institute of Wasatiyyah (Moderation) under the Prime Minister's Office to pursue moderation in "democracy, rule of law, education, human dignity and social justice".
However, the premier said a truly global movement would require an awakening in all countries and communities.
"We need to hear from moderates of all religions in all countries and from all walks of life."
The global moderates, he said, must speak together against any tendency by communities to relate extremism to Islam.
"How did acts of extremism by a tiny minority of Muslims come to be seen as true reflection of the whole Islamic faith and to overshadow the extremism that is being perpetrated right across the world by people of all faiths?
"It is not enough to say, as many have done, that the solution is extremism is simply for more Muslims to speak up and speak out.”
‘Public good head of personal gain’
Driving home his point, Najib said Southeast Asia has been regarded as the 'second front' because of its large Muslims population after the Sept 11, 2011 attacks on the US, but terrorism has never gained the same grip in this region as it has in other parts of the world.
The premier noted that extremism has evolved and does not necessarily involve violence today.
"Without a single bullet fired, the extremes and excesses of Wall Street would in a matter of days take the world as we knew it to the brink."
Fairness, he adds, must be delivered to the "99 percent" of those affected and not just for those at the top.
"And for Muslims like myself, the structures and principles of Islamic finance have long put public good ahead of individual gain."
He announced the Global Movement of Moderates Foundation to spearhead advocacy of moderation at the international level, as well as the establishment of a Wasatiyyah chair under Universiti Malaya.
Speaking to nearly 1,000 foreign delegates at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur this morning, the premier said Malaysia has always been synonymous with moderation.
“We have many ethnic groups, many religions, but we continually strive to be harmonious and a truly united nation predicated on values of moderation and the spirit of 1Malaysia.“We know that we are best and strongest when we actively embrace our differences rather than just putting up with them and it is in that spirit that we come together at the first ever meeting of the Global Movement of the Moderates.”
The conference is a culmination of Najib's call for a global movement of moderates, made before last year’s United Nations General Assembly.
Spearheading the "clarion for moderation", the premier unveiled the formation of an institute of Wasatiyyah (Moderation) under the Prime Minister's Office to pursue moderation in "democracy, rule of law, education, human dignity and social justice".
However, the premier said a truly global movement would require an awakening in all countries and communities.
"We need to hear from moderates of all religions in all countries and from all walks of life."
The global moderates, he said, must speak together against any tendency by communities to relate extremism to Islam.
"How did acts of extremism by a tiny minority of Muslims come to be seen as true reflection of the whole Islamic faith and to overshadow the extremism that is being perpetrated right across the world by people of all faiths?
"It is not enough to say, as many have done, that the solution is extremism is simply for more Muslims to speak up and speak out.”
‘Public good head of personal gain’
Driving home his point, Najib said Southeast Asia has been regarded as the 'second front' because of its large Muslims population after the Sept 11, 2011 attacks on the US, but terrorism has never gained the same grip in this region as it has in other parts of the world.
The premier noted that extremism has evolved and does not necessarily involve violence today."Without a single bullet fired, the extremes and excesses of Wall Street would in a matter of days take the world as we knew it to the brink."
Fairness, he adds, must be delivered to the "99 percent" of those affected and not just for those at the top.
"And for Muslims like myself, the structures and principles of Islamic finance have long put public good ahead of individual gain."
He announced the Global Movement of Moderates Foundation to spearhead advocacy of moderation at the international level, as well as the establishment of a Wasatiyyah chair under Universiti Malaya.
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