Muslims need to be brave enough to show Islamic morals that are polite to followers of other religions, said Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Muslims need to take more positive steps and dare to show Islamic morals in treating non-Muslims in this country and the Asian region, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Berita Harian reported, the Prime Minister said that the matter was one of the things that Sheikh Al-Azhar, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Ahmad At-Tayyeb proposed to him in an effort to ensure unity in the people of multiple races in this country.

In a meeting with Sheikh Al-Azhar at Seri Perdana, Putrajaya, last night, the Prime Minister said, Sheikh Al-Azhar also urged him to work harder and more diligently to gather the strength of the people.

“He asked to ensure that there is a softer and kinder attitude, respect, lita’aruf (getting to know each other) among Muslims and non-Muslims in the country.

“God willing, we will fulfill this mandate to the best of our ability. We want to express our highest respect and let’s take advantage of the views of the proposal that he put forward so that our country can survive and be able to achieve the goal of becoming a CIVILIZED country,” he said.

He said this while speaking after witnessing the awarding of an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Quran and Sunnah Studies to Sheikh Al-Azhar from the Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) here, today.

The awarding ceremony was completed by Tunku Besar Seri Menanti, Tunku Ali Redhauddin Tuanku Muhriz, who is also USIM’s Pro Chancellor.

Also present were the Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.

In addition, the Prime Minister said, Sheikh Al-Azhar also emphasized the importance for Muslims to master new disciplines, knowledge and technology in order to move forward.

“He also mentioned about the lameness that occurs as a result of the attacks and pressures of Western thought, whether it is the liberal ideology that deviates from the path of Islam and reminds us of the danger of fanatical extremist attitudes that cause division,” he said.

The Prime Minister said, he hopes that major universities, such as Al-Azhar University, with the existing network of education systems in the country can continue to defend Muslims through the building of knowledge.

“Al-Azhar has made a huge contribution to the Islamic world in this region of the Malay archipelago and we benefit greatly because Al-Azhar graduates are the main bastion of defending the faith of knowledge and instilling the spirit and spirit of Islam in the community,” he said.

Sheikh Al-Azhar is on an official visit to this country for four days, starting last Tuesday, at the invitation of the Prime Minister.

The special visit of Sheikh Al-Azhar, who has the status of Prime Minister based on the Egyptian Constitution, is a historic moment in bilateral relations between Malaysia and Egypt, as well as proving the close relationship and close cooperation between the two countries in an effort to develop progressive and dynamic Muslims.

Sheikh Al Azhar has been involved for more than 23 years in the field of al-Quran studies. He served in the educational institution of Islamic studies in various positions and positions, including being the President of Al-Azhar University for seven years, before being appointed as the Sheikh of Al-Azhar starting March 2010.

He is a great scientist and scholar of the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah and made extraordinary contributions in the field of Islamic studies, including studying thousands of books until he obtained the status of Sheikh Al Azhar, which was also a turning point in the Al-Azhar institution, which is now a pillar of the scholarly legacy of the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jama’ah in the global community.