“We celebrate the diversity of our respective cultures and heritage. Those of other faiths, although a minority, have never been persecuted,” Badawi, left, said.

NEW DELHI, December 22 (IslamOnline.net) – Malaysia has offered the Muslim world a modest working model of renewal, reform and the beginnings of a renaissance, according to the Malaysian prime minister.

“I do not wish to assume that our experiences are a one-size-fits-all prescription as I am aware that different countries need different solutions to their problems,” Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said in his keynote address on Islam Hadhari (Civilized Islam) at Jamia Millia Islamia University in India, reported the Star daily in its online edition Wednesday, December 22.

“However, I do believe that Malaysia can offer interesting insights into the building blocks of a progressive and modern Muslim nation.”

In outlining the model derived from the 10 fundamental principles of Islam Hadhari, Badawi said this was an effort to bring the Ummah (Muslim nation) back to basics and return to the primacy of values and principles as prescribed in the Noble Qur’an and Hadith.

Abdullah was addressing the guests of a celebration dedicated to granting him an honorary doctorate from the Jamia Millia Islamia University, his first from a foreign institution of higher learning.

The Malaysian leader received the doctorate Tuesday in recognition of his relentless efforts in developing Malaysia and promoting international peace and understanding, according to the official Malaysian Bernma News Agency.

The special convocation to confer the Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) degree was held in conjunction with his five-day official visit to India.

Celebrate Diversity

Badawi further emphasised the fact that Malaysia's promotion of Islam Hadhari also clearly demonstrated a progressive attitude towards relations with non-Muslim minorities and gender, adding that it did not threaten their rights.

“In fact, we celebrate the diversity of our respective cultures and heritage. Those of other faiths, although a minority, have never been persecuted and there is no tolerance in my administration for discrimination and prejudice against any religious group. I am a Muslim, but I am also a leader of all Malaysians.”

On a similar note, Abdullah said rights of women were protected and they could fulfil their potential without having to face artificial barriers constructed in the name of Islam.

He said Islam was just and fair and it honoured the position and rights of women, adding that there were clear instances of prejudices being cloaked in religious teachings in the Muslim world aimed at passing off gender discrimination as the accepted norm.

“But beyond the issue of gender justice, there are other compelling reasons to set the situation right. Some of our best and brightest students are women. If they are not allowed to fulfil their potential, then we will not be getting the best people for the right positions. This objective is a key plank in the promotion of Islam Hadhari.”

Intellectual Reform

Abdullah further declared that Malaysia would invite scholars of Islam from all over the world to initiate the process of intellectual reform and renewal in its efforts to be a platform for thriving Islamic thought.

Although he expected opposition form certain groups on this, the Prime Minister said such discussions must not be exclusivist in nature as he believed progressive or modernist thinkers should be given space and opportunity to propagate their views.

“Western commentators have categorised the debate within Islam between the moderates and conservatives as a battle but I would rather fashion it as a dialogue. We must get scholars trained in traditions to interact with those trained in modern discipline in an open environment in order to produce a lively and constructive debate.” 

Abdullah said he always believed that by opening up discursive space within the Muslim world, their intellectual tradition would be enriched and they could directly challenge the extremist doctrines linked to Islam over the last few years.

“While we continue to strive to find common ground with people of other faiths, we must also open up the discourse within the Ummah.”

Abdullah said this was part of efforts to ensure that Malaysia would continue to be a platform for thriving Islamic thought as well as remain to be an ongoing testament to the truth that Islam embraced progress and modernity.

Malaysia offers the image of a very successful Muslim country, 60% of the population are Muslims, heading towards the status of developed nation with huge buildings, beautiful cities and a fast track economy that is doing well despite recent shattering events.