KANGAR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today called on Muslim nations to focus on mastering knowledge and upholding good governance values to address the malaise in the Muslim world.

Anwar reminded political leaders, scholars and ulamas to step out of their comfort zone to bring about changes and reforms in facing current and future challenges.

"The recent developments have convinced me that Malaysia should be placed on the right track to push for changes and reforms.

"We can't afford to remain comfortable with what we have achieved, either in terms of our knowledge, thinking and attitude.

"We need to build a stronger foundation rooted in Islamic creed and values to face challenges in mastering new technologies such as digitalisation, Artificial Intelligence and energy transition," Anwar said in his keynote address at the "Perkampungan Sunnah" gathering at Masjid Alwi here this evening.

Present were Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli, Information Minister Fahmi Fadzil, state Mufti Datuk Dr Asri Zainul Abidin and Arau member of Parliament Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.

Anwar stressed that the glorious Islamic leadership under the late Caliph Omar Abdul Aziz and Sultan Salahuddin al-Ayyubi was not based just on their deep knowledge of Islamic teachings.

He pointed out that the two leaders had also achieved greatness in their leadership because of their strong principles in good governance and combating corruption.

"If we feel weak and lose interest in talking about corruption, it will lead to our downfall.

"We must learn from experiences and history to address the malaise among the Muslim nations that is leading to them losing their strength and courage to defend the innocent children and women who are brutally abused and murdered.

"What is happening? It is because they have lost their inner strength. We must wake up from this slumber and shortcomings.

"Either you are a political leader, ulama, scholar, farmer, fisherman or worker, we must rise to elevate the people and ready to change.

"We can't propel the country and our economy towards greatness if we keep on feeling comfortable with our current understanding and knowledge," he said.

Anwar also urged Muslims to truly uphold the spirit of pursuing knowledge and nurturing healthy, reasonable discourse to manage differences.

He warned the Muslim community that the tendency to pass down judgements against people with differing views is another element that leads to malaise among Muslims.

"This malaise among the ummah is also the result of having shallow knowledge and the culture of passing judgement towards others, which causes rifts among us," he said.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/1046024/focus-mastering-knowledge-and-good-governance-tackle-malaise-muslim