BANGI, February 28, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agency) – As part of his government’s endeavor to market it, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak met with thousands of university students and staff to explain the concept of Islam Hadhari.

“We'll proceed with our explanations to ensure the people have a clear understanding of Islam Hadhari,” he told reporters after the brainstorming seminar attended by 3,000 undergraduates and staff from 43 public and private universities nationwide, reported the Malaysian news agency, Bernama.

The effort would be made through distribution of the text of speeches by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and also via brainstorming seminars organised by various interest groups.

“Through such initiatives, we find the people's understanding of Islam Hadhari has improved,” said Najib.

Addressing the general assembly of his ruling UMNO party on September 23, 2004, Abdullah said: “Islam Hadhari is an effort to bring the Ummah back to basics, back to the fundamentals, as prescribed in the Qur’an and the Hadith that form the foundation of Islamic civilization.”

• He said it aims to achieve the following ten principles:

• Faith and piety in Allah

• A just and trustworthy government

• A free and independent People

• Mastery of knowledge

• Balanced and comprehensive economic development

• A good quality of life

• Protection of the rights of minority groups and women

• Cultural and moral integrity

• Safeguarding the environment

• Strong defenses

The deputy premier accused some groups, which he did not name, of trying to cast shadows on the concept of Islam Hadhari for their political interests.

“They will try all sorts of things to mislead the people, including branding Islam Hadhari as a new religion and so on, but I am confident by continuing our explanation, the people will understand and support the concept,” he said.

Without naming a specific group, the senior official said the government would continue its explanation so that the masses would have a clear understanding of the concept.

Addressing the university students and staff, Najib said the Malaysian people must observe and practice Islam Hadhari concept in their daily lives.

“When we understand Islam Hadhari, there'll be no controversy. We'll bring progress to Muslims as Islam Hadhari is based on Islamic teachings,” he said.

Najib said Muslims must become a progressive race to negate the negative understanding of the international community which often linked Islam to poverty, violence, militancy and “all types of problems that befall Muslims.”

He also urged undergraduates to acquire as much knowledge as possible to develop the Muslims in this country.

“Knowledge is the main concept of Islam Hadhari. Without knowledge, we won't know the advantages in human beings,” he said.