Nation Will Falter if Society Is Driven by Anger – Anwar
BANGI: A nation built on communal life will falter if it is driven by anger and must instead be guided by knowledge, which forms the foundation of a strong nation, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the strength of any struggle cannot depend solely on passion and emotion but must be supported by knowledge that can raise awareness and foster a deeper sense of understanding among society.
“For example, when we speak about the MADANI nation today, it must be strengthened through knowledge. This is what lays the foundation for building a strong nation,” he said in his speech at the Three Generations Appreciation Dinner: Continuing the Legacy of Struggle here today.
Also present were the Prime Minister’s wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan.
The event brought together more than 2,000 members of the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM), Wadah Pencerdasan Umat Malaysia (WADAH) and the National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students (PKPIM).
The Prime Minister said that in the context of building a MADANI nation, change must be founded on conviction, idealism and noble aspirations to elevate the dignity of the people and the nation, rather than being driven by notions of supremacy, racial sentiment or attempts to sow division.
Anwar said society must also have a strong understanding of religion and faith, as being born a Muslim does not necessarily guarantee an understanding of Islam.
“Being born a Muslim or being of Muslim descent does not guarantee understanding. The emergence of Islamic movements, associations and organisations does not necessarily guarantee the revival of the true spirit of Islam beyond mere enthusiasm and rhetoric… That is why our great responsibility is to revive the tradition of knowledge,” he said.
Anwar said his experience in the Islamic movement had also taught him that a struggle must be built on conviction and the belief to act, rather than being based solely on the level of support, votes or acceptance on social media.
“Ultimately, our consideration is to seek and obtain the blessings and pleasure of Allah SWT. Hopefully, with the spirit, strength and support of all of you, we can continue to strengthen the Muslim community,” he said.
The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of intellectual traditions, usrah (Islamic study circles) and efforts to bring together new ideas in shaping society’s understanding, particularly in a country with diverse ethnic and religious communities.
He said nation-building efforts must also focus on education and mastery of new knowledge, including artificial intelligence (AI), while at the same time not neglecting fundamental values such as faith and good character.
“We must embrace new knowledge and AI, but if in reaching for the sky we leave our roots behind on the ground, we will inevitably see an imbalance in the formation of our nation,” Anwar said.
Bernama