“The Star Online” (http://thestar.com.my)
‘PM: Umno will reject narrow views of Islam’ 7 November 2007
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno will not endorse a narrow interpretation of Islam and opposes a political culture that can disrupt the daily lives and commercial affairs of the umma (congregation), said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
In his opening address at the 58th Umno General Assembly, Abdullah, also Umno President, said that the party was committed to strengthening Islam and would not apologise for doing so. “Islam promotes moderation,” he said, adding that at the 2004 general assembly, he had laid out the 10 principles of Islam Hadhari (Civilisational Islam), “an approach that was understood and supported by component parties of Barisan Nasional.”“Umno believes that Islam will not grow, nor will it be respected if it is confined to rituals. If we fight Islam, armed only with slogans and rhetoric, we will not achieve excellence,” he said, adding that Umno was also opposed to the culture of violence. “The application of Islam through the prism of shallow minds and narrow interpretations can cause discomfort not only among non-Muslims but among Muslims themselves. Overzealous enforcement can give Islam a negative image,” he added.
The PM also noted that the failure to understand the needs of adherents of other religions and denying them their rights run counter to the spirit of the Federal Constitution. With this in mind, calls to return to the spirit of the Federal Constitution should be viewed in a positive light, interpreted with wisdom and without prejudice. “The Constitution must be viewed as a whole, and selected clauses cannot be interpreted in isolation or out of context,” Abdullah said.
He noted that there has been increasing concern about crime and while media reports have heightened the public’s awareness, the dramatic manner in which the news was presented gave the impression that this country was no longer safe. “The government is aware of the problem and in both the Ninth Malaysia Plan and the 2008 Budget, a large allocation has been granted to the police. “It should be understood that the large personnel increases required by the police could not be filled overnight. It takes time to hire and train new police personnel. While this is happening, the country and society must be supportive of the police and refrain from undermining the public’s confidence in the force,” he said.
He also welcomed the rise of new media technologies that allowed information to be distributed through multiple channels, but added that there needed to be an “intelligent balance” between the need for media freedoms and political stability. “The government wishes to see the media industry grow into an industry that is progressive and open, an industry that can carry out its responsibilities with integrity and responsibility,” he said.
As for the aspirations of the nation, Abdullah said that a country that celebrates 50 years of independence must be populated with a free people, a people who have belief and confidence in their future. “Its people must shoulder the responsibility of defending its freedom; a people who live in harmony between communities and religions; a people who are broad minded and big hearted,” he said.
Key points raised by Umno President Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the Opening of the 58th Umno General Assembly
Strengthening Islam: Umno is committed to strengthening Islam and will not apologise for doing so. Islam promotes moderation. During the general assembly in 2004, I laid out the 10 principles of Islam Hadhari, an approach that was understood and supported by component parties of Barisan Nasional.
Federal Constitution: Calls to return to the spirit of the Federal Constitution should be viewed in a positive light, interpreted with wisdom and without prejudice. The Constitution must be viewed as a whole, and selected clauses cannot be interpreted in isolation or out of context.
Racial and religious tolerance: We give assurance that Umno will not endorse a narrow interpretation of Islam. Umno opposes the culture of violence, we oppose a political culture that can disrupt the daily lives and commercial affairs of the ummah. Umno believes that Islam will not grow, nor will it be respected if it is confined to rituals. If we fight for Islam, armed only with slogans and rhetoric, we will not achieve excellence.
Islam and non-Muslims: The application of Islam through the prism of shallow minds and narrow interpretations can cause discomfort not only among non-Muslims but among Muslims themselves. Overzealous enforcement can give Islam a negative image. Failure to understand the needs of adherents of other religions and denying them the rights runs counter to the spirit of the Federal Constitution.
Auditor-General’s Report and ACA: I am happy with the quick action taken by the Anti-Corruption Agency and I am certain that many public servants support these actions, which protect the dignity and integrity of their profession.
The corridors of growth: When our plans succeed, it will transform the face of Malaysia. Development will not just be concentrated in major urban areas but will instead be spread to every area of our nation. This is our noble ambition.
Malays - self-confidence and the future: Worry, fear and a sense of being under threat occurs when Malays are insufficiently prepared. For as long as Malays remain unambitious, they will fear meritocracy. The feelings of inferiority, nervousness and insufficiency are poisons that have been injected into the Malay mentality since colonial times. These poisons must be removed. Malays, when given the proper guidance and fair opportunity, are prepared to compete.
Crime and security: It is caused, among others, by social problems and in some cases as a result of the influx of illegal immigrants. Media reports of crimes have heightened the public’s awareness, but the dramatic manner in which the news is presented gives the impression that this country is no longer safe. The Government is aware of the problem and in both the Ninth Malaysia Plan and the 2008 Budget, a large allocation has been granted to the police. It should be understood that the large personnel increases required by the police could not be filled overnight. It takes time to hire and train new police personnel. While this is happening, the country and society must be supportive of the police and refrain from undermining the public’s confidence in the force.
The keris and Umno: The act of unsheathing and kissing a keris is part of our cultural heritage, but its meaning has been twisted to spread fear among non-Malays, and the image of Umno and Malaysia has been smeared overseas. On behalf of Umno’s leaders and members, I give assurance that Umno will never breach the spirit of the understanding that has been agreed with other communities at the time of Merdeka. Opportunities are available to all. There is a future for every Malaysian in this country.
The new media and press freedom: Information is now distributed through multiple channels. In this context, we must intelligently balance the need for media freedom with the basis for political stability that we have enjoyed. The Government wishes to see the media industry grow into an industry that is progressive and open, an industry that can carry out its responsibilities with integrity and responsibility.
Power sharing and Merdeka: A country that celebrates 50 years of independence must be populated with a free people – a people who have the belief and confidence in their future. Its people must shoulder the responsibility of defending its freedom; a people who live in harmony between communities and religions; a people who are broad minded and big hearted.
The National Mission: The National Mission has five main thrusts: moving the economy up the value chain; developing first class human capital; addressing persistent socio-economic imbalances; improving quality of life; and strengthening institutional capacity; all of which are universal, constant requirements for national building. The strength of our human capital will determine the success of the Mission. It will determine whether we achieve developed nation status and progress further.
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“Malaysiakini.com”（http://www.malaysiakini.com/）
‘Umno unapologetic on mission to promote Islam’ 7 November 2007
Umno president and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today said that his party was committed to strengthening Islam and will not apologise for doing so. However he quickly added that Umno would not endorse a narrow interpretation of Islam, pledging that everyone in Umno would show exemplary behaviour by respecting the followers of other religions and their needs. “The application of Islam through the prism of shallow minds and narrow interpretations can cause discomfort not only among non-Muslims, but among Muslims themselves,” he said in his opening address at the 58th Umno annual general meeting today. “Failure to understand the needs of adherents of other religions and denying them their rights runs counter to the spirit of the federal constitution,” he added to a round of thunderous applause.
Stating that Islam promoted moderation, Abdullah said that his widely accepted Islam Hadhari principles proved that the approach to Islam as promoted by Umno was fair. He also said that calls to return to the spirit of the federal constitution should be viewed in a positive light, interpreted with wisdom and without prejudice. “The constitution must be viewed as a whole, and selected clauses cannot be interpreted in isolation or out of context. The constitution provides that Islam the official religion of the Federation but there is freedom to practice other religions. “Guided by the spirit of the constitution, Malaysians of different religions must exercise mutual respect,” he said.
Abdullah also warned that the disrespect and extremism shown by one party will elicit a similar response from another party.
“If we want our religion to be respected and understood, let us, in Umno, show exemplary behaviour by respecting the followers of other religions and their needs,” he added.
He also said that overzealous enforcement will only give Islam a negative image. “Umno opposes the culture of violence, we oppose a political culture that can disrupt the daily lives and commercial affairs of the ummah. “Islam must not be downsized to fit the needs of a political organisation. Islam cannot become the exclusive domain of any single group. “Umno believes that Islam will not grow, nor will it be respected if it is confined to rituals. If we fight for Islam, armed only with slogans and rhetoric, we will not achieve excellence.
He said that Islam must be explained to its followers, but also to non-Muslims. “Islam must be identified as a religion that dispenses justice, prohibits inequity and rejects violence. “There is nothing wrong with Islam, the error lies in the misguided actions by those who fail to interpret Islam and those who fail to practice it with open minds and rational thought,” he said.
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