ASIAN ULAMA COUNCIL 2024 PLACES STRONG EMPHASIS ON MUSLIM UNITY

KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 (Bernama) -- The issue of Muslim unity took centre stage at the Asian Ulama Council 2024, here today, as scholars highlighted the problems afflicting the Muslim community today stem from the failure to manage unity effectively.

Pahang Mufti Prof Datuk Dr Asmadi Mohd Naim said the current challenges facing the Islamic world necessitate unity among Muslims to confront issues that threaten the dignity of Islam, such as the Palestine conflict, terrorism, economic concerns and the geopolitical manoeuvres of major power countries.

He suggested that the preaching formula of past scholars who spread Islam in Southeast Asia be reused as one of the methods to manage Islamic unity, as the formula has been proven successful.

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"Islam has flourished in the Malay Archipelago or Southeast Asia successfully without bloodshed, serving as a source of pride for our scholars when engaging in dialogue with various parties, as a testimony to Islam's rapid growth without violence," he said.

However, he said any formula to be used must take into account two perspectives, namely the inner and outer challenges facing the ummah.

From the inner side perspective, Asmadi said the challenge is managing disputes that arise among scholars, leaders, and the community, which requires micro-level observation because each country has a different context and different traditions.

"The Muslim community cannot be continuously preoccupied with internal divisions, especially within schools of thought (mazhab), while at the same time facing even heavier challenges according to the maqasid syariah," he said.

On the other hand, he said Muslims should react appropriately to the outer challenges such as cultural, economic, political and geographical influences. 

Asmadi said presently, Islamic nations are the largest oil producers, host countries that serve as hubs for international economic investment, and possess various other remarkable capabilities, but all of these achievements are rendered meaningless without unity to synergise their strengths in facing threats against oppressed Islamic nations.

Key Indian religious figure Syed Salman Chishty also emphasised the importance of embracing diversity and unity, as envisioned by the Holy Quran, noting the role of spiritual leaders and scholars in shaping the narrative of Islam, particularly in the face of conflict and Islamophobia.

"The Quran reminds us that our differences are not meant to divide us but to enrich us, to serve as a testament of boundless creativity of our creator Allah S.W.T," he said.

Syed Salman called upon the ummah to reclaim the true essence of Islam and embody the timeless principles of mercy, justice, and empathy.

"In a world driven by region and discord, it is incumbent upon us as spiritual leaders and religious leaders, to reclaim the essence of Islam from the so-called media debaters or those who seek to distort it from their own interest," he said.

He also urged delegates to strive to build bridges of understanding and cooperation with people of all faiths and ideologies through dialogue, education and mutual respect. 

The conference was launched by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the presence of Muslim World League's (MWL) Secretary-General and Chairman of the Organisation of Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Dr Mohammad Abdulkarim Al-Issa. 

It was organised by the Office of the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) in collaboration with the Muslim World League (MWL).

-- BERNAMA