Malaysia Ready To Share Wasatiyyah Approach With The Muslim World

TASHKENT (Uzbekistan), July 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is ready to share its experience as a Muslim-majority country that practices wasatiyyah or moderate approach with other countries, potentially serving as a global reference for the practice of Islam that embraces diversity in society, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs)  Dr Zulkifli Hasan said.

He said that based on his meetings and discussions with international delegates at the First International Forum on Islamic Civilisation here, many viewed Malaysia as an example of a Muslim-majority country that had successfully maintained harmony within a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society.

“In many conversations and discussions, they referred to Malaysia as a country that practises a wasatiyyah, or moderate, approach to Islam. They also observed how we have maintained harmony in a society that is multiracial and multi-religious," he told Bernama on the sidelines of the First International Forum on Islamic Civilisation here.

According to him, Malaysia's achievements in areas such as the economy, education, religious affairs management, halal certification, Islamic finance, hajj management, Islamic education, as well as waqf and zakat institutions, have also drawn the attention of the international community.

“This shows that we have the potential and strengths to become a reference point, and we are always ready to open our country's doors, share these experiences and exchange views and insights," he said.

Zulkifli said Malaysia could also offer a Nusantara-based Islamic civilisation model that demonstrates a balance between cultural diversity, social harmony and national development.

He said that, at the same time, Malaysia must continue to learn from the experiences of other countries in addressing the challenges of the modern world while offering solutions based on the values of Islamic civilisation.

Commenting on the forum, he said the platform not only provided space for discourse and dialogue among scholars and leaders from the Muslim world, but also had the potential to produce resolutions and action plans to strengthen Islamic civilisation in the future.

In a related development, Zulkifli said Malaysia and Uzbekistan were also exploring cooperation in various areas, including religious affairs, waqf, Islamic finance, hajj management and Islamic tourism, through a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the forum.

He said Malaysia supported Uzbekistan's efforts to restore the glory of Islamic civilisation and would continue to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the related fields.

The five-day forum, which began on Monday under the theme "The Path of Peace, Tolerance and Enlightenment", is being held in Tashkent, Samarkand and Termez, bringing together around 300 scholars, religious leaders, policymakers and cultural figures from more than 50 countries.

Organised by the Centre for Islamic Civilisation in Uzbekistan in collaboration with several national institutions and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO), the forum aims to highlight Islam's contributions to science, culture and spirituality, while also strengthening international cooperation in efforts to preserve and promote Islamic civilisation.

The forum programme includes 11 plenary sessions, four international scientific conferences, exhibitions of rare manuscripts and cultural artefacts, as well as presentations on digital heritage projects and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to preserve Islamic manuscripts.

-- BERNAMA