MAKING IT OFFICIAL: Taib launches the Riseap general assembly.
REGIONAL MEETING: Taib greeted by the delegates and Riseap officials upon arrival at the event. — Photos by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: Muslims must always remember that good service to Islam means contributing towards peace, harmony and progress in building a new society.
Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said this was the true doctrine of Islam where tolerance and desires to deal freely with all people, whether Muslims or non-Muslims, had always been encouraged.
“The case of 911 and the extreme terrorist movements is not an Islamic doctrine. It is based on frustrations of people who could not achieve what they want by the normal ways,” he said at the opening of the 15th Regional Islamic Dakwah Council of Southeast Asia and the Pacific (Riseap) general assembly here yesterday.
He said after the 911 (Sept 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on US) incident there were fears among leaders of Muslim countries that there could be new propaganda arising from the misunderstanding of Islam which would make people feel that any Muslim could at any time emerge as a terrorist and threatened other religious communities.
Taib, who is Riseap president, said after the 911 incident, Muslims in America particularly and elsewhere had tried to counter any propaganda about the image of Islam.
As a result, today there was a better organised Muslim community in America and most of them were trying to have a rapport in order to build understanding with non-Muslims.
“This is a very healthy turn of event and I think it is the beginning of a greater understanding and a preparation for a better climate for building the world with greater link between people of various races and people of different religions.
“The world has become a global community. Of course, it is spearheaded by economic interest rather than any other influences but economic interest alone is not enough to make live really enjoyable for most of us who have some ideas to support,” he said.
He added that because of this therefore efforts to counter such misunderstandings about Islam could not be hampered.
“It is not easy for us to say openly but I have to say this after 911 because we do not want subversive tendency to grow in our midst. That will spoil the name of Islam and it will cause fear which will be the worst basis for relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims.
“I have to say this because we do not like to see any accident that can become false propaganda about Muslims and give them a bad name. I feel that many areas are still having problem about Muslims’ roles but I believe the world is moving in such a way that will promise them a better future,” he said.
According to him, Myanmar for example, was also moving towards an open society and this was a good sign for Muslims in that country.
“Let us hope that all the problems the government is facing with the minority group can be resolved and that the Muslim minority will eventually receive fair deal and get very good help from its own government as they become more democratic,” he said.
He said in fact Muslims had very bright future ahead of them which was something they can regard as fear and threats but a future to be conquered by their positive efforts and explanation of the actual teaching of Islam.
He said that the Muslims had been left behind for 200 years at least in the areas of science and technology and economics but things were slowly changing.
“The world is coming to a position where the role of Muslim businessmen and Muslim bankers, and Muslim leaders generally are going to be easily recognized,” he said.
He said among the opportunities where Muslims could play their role in world economy was the US$1 trillion worth of market demand for halal food and other products.