PUTRAJAYA, March 11 – The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) in collaboration with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia and Prime Minister Department had organized an International Forum on Islamophobia: Meaningful Engagement Through Madani Discourse. The forum was held at Damar Sari Hall, Complex F8, Precint 1, Putrajaya with more than 1000 participants attending, comprised of government civil service, ambassadors and high commissioners, religious leaders, NGOs and activists.
The recent public burning of the Qur’an by extremists in Sweden, mass murder of Muslims during a congregation prayer in a mosque in New Zealand, ban of minarets on mosques in Switzerland, refusal by some European governments to accept Muslim refugees fleeing wars in the Middle East and continuing harassment of Muslim women who choose to wear the Hijab in various Western countries are just but a few poignant examples of this corrosive Islamophobia that currently plagues many Western and other non-Muslim societies.
This forum was held to address the pressing issue of Islamophobia in the spirit of Malaysia Madani. Malaysia Madani, as actively espoused by Yang Amat Berhormat Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is built around six core values namely sustainability, care and compassion, respect, innovation, prosperity and trust. Adherence to these key values aims at fostering the spirit of Rahmah (i.e., mercy) and Karamah Insaniah (respect for human dignity) through government policies and programmes.
By valuing and respecting the rights and dignity of every individual, it is hope that Muslims will be able to rectify the misunderstanding of Islam by others. An important aspect of Malaysia Madani is the need to honour and respect the rights and dignity of every human being irrespective of colour, religious or socioeconomic background. The objectives of the forum are Tto present Malaysia as a model of tolerance that promote healthy multi religious and multicultural engagement; provide a platform for dialogue and intellectual discussions on the causes.
Processes and the proper responses needed to counter issues of Islamophobia, religious intolerance and discrimination. To provide an opportunity for institutional and social collaboration as well as networking among stakeholders towards fighting Islamophobia and religious discrimination and promote better understanding towards Islam and Muslims both locally and internationally. Hopefully, the forum will be beneficial in fostering cooperation and understanding among Muslims and non-Muslims in Malaysia and around the world.
The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) is the premier international organization focusing on providing a platform for the unique perspective of Muslim thinkers, scholars and practitioners in the humanities and social sciences. For 40 years, IIIT has been a voice for moderation, diversity and modernity in Islamic thought, with an emphasis on concepts such as co-existence and building the capacity of communities to address their common global and local challenges.
Today, IIIT is the voice of the Muslim intellectual tradition in the west, and a champion for scholarship, knowledge and learning in Muslim societies across the world. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir delivered the welcoming remarks, while the keynote address was delivered by Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, and with that officiating the closing of forum.
The forum featured Dr. Ahmad El- Muhammady, Assistant Professor at International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC), and Professor Ziauddin Sardar, Director of Centre for Postnormal Policy and Futures Studies (CPPFS). The forum was moderated by Ahmad Fahmi bin Mohd Samsudin, Chief Executive Officer of Global Peace Mission (GPM).
