JITRA,
May 4, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Malaysian
Prime Minister, Abdullah Badawi, hit out at critics of the concept of Islam
Hadhari (Civilizational Islam), saying it is derived from the core
principles and teachings of Islam.
Critics
of the concept accused Badawi, champion and architect of Islam
Hadari, of mocking the teachings of Islam and seeking to
introduce a new sect of the faith.
But
Badawi said the concept aims at managing the multi-racial country in a
just and fair manner, The Star reported Wednesday, May 4.
“I
am not trying to eliminate Islam or change the religion. As a leader I
want to be fair to everyone,” Badawi was quoted as saying Tuesday,
May 3, during his keynote address in conjunction with the launching of
Islam Hadhari (Islamic State Management) at Dewan Wawasan
Kubang Pasu in Jitra.
He
criticized “groups that are still narrow-minded and dispute the
concept of Islam Hadhari as though it is a new Islamic teaching
or sect when it is actually a concept of administration of an Islamic
country”, Bernama News Agency reported.
He
added that certain quarters had said that despite being a descendant
of religious leaders, he was trying to change the teachings of Islam.
“Such
a perception is wrong,” he said.
Later
Tuesday, Abdullah told a press conference that he was not sidelining
or neglecting Islam by taking the Islam Hadhari approach.
The
concept has the capacity to generate strength for a nation because it
gave emphasis to various matters including knowledge, economy,
culture, moral values and defence, he said.
Badawi
further explained that among the objectives outlined in Islam
Hadhari is the creation of a just government, comprehensive and
balanced economic development, improved the quality of life, care for
minorities and women, and strong culture and moral values.
He
said the concept of Islam Hadhari would empower a nation and a
multiracial society.
“I
am PM (Prime Minister) for all the people of Malaysia. I must also be
just to the non-Muslims,” he said, explaining that non-Muslims
accepted the concept of Islam Hadhari well because they had
begun to understand the concept.
Abdullah
earlier
members of his multi-racial and multi-religious country that his Islam
Hadhari approach poses a threat to no one, asserting that Malaysia
belongs to citizens of all races.
Abdullah,
current chairman of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC),
added that Islam Hadhari was entirely consistent with democracy
because it was all about living peacefully and respecting each other
in a society.
Going
International
Abdullah
said the concept of Islam Hadhari implemented in this country
had become known by many countries, and he often put forth the concept
in his speeches during his working visits overseas, Bernama reported.
“In
Pakistan, India, the Middle East, Jeddah, Dubai, England, New Zealand
and many other places I have spoken on Islam Hadhari. In China,
too, I spoke (on the same subject),” he said.
Badawi
also added he would continue to accept invitations to explain the
concept of Islam Hadhari to audiences overseas.
The
Islam Hadhari
concept has been attacked by other critics as
well, with some people claiming it was created to pacify the West and
others accusing it of being against different religions.
But
Badawi had earlier asserted that his proposed Islam Hadhari is
not meant to satisfy the West, asking the West to confront spiralling
Islamophobia.
Addressing
the general assembly of his ruling UMNO party on September 23, 2004,
Abdullah said: “Islam Hadhari is an effort to bring the Ummah
back to basics, back to the fundamentals, as prescribed in the
Qur’an and the Hadith that form the foundation of Islamic
civilization.”
Knowledge
During
his speech, Badawi also reminded the people of the need to master
knowledge because this was in line with the concept of Islam
Hadhari.
“Wealth
does not come from the mere ability to read the Qur’an, but they
should also strive to master knowledge in other fields.
“Muslims
will not attain wealth all of a sudden by merely subscribing to Islam
and reciting the Qur’an repeatedly for they also have to strive hard
to develop themselves,” he said.
About
12,000 people attended the one-day seminar organised jointly by the
Prime Minister's Office and the Kedah state government. It was opened
by the Sultan of Kedah.
