Some quarters projecting Islam as failed religion — Dr Mahathir

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KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday certain quarters are doing things that drive people away from Islam.

“Islam is a good religion and also a way of life. It’s the way of life of Muslims that will impress people whether Islam is a good religion. Unfortunately, we see people projecting Islam as a religion that is unsuccessful in many ways,” he said in his speech when launching the International Da’wah Institute PERKIM (IDIP).

Also present were PERKIM secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Yusof Noor and Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob.

Dr Mahathir, who is also PERKIM president, said that when others see Muslims fighting with each other or doing things not in accordance to the teachings of Islam, they are not likely to be influenced into thinking that Islam is a good religion and will, in fact, run away.

He pointed out that Islam advocates fairness and justice but some Muslims are not practising it, not only in Malaysia but in other countries too.

“Because of the wrongdoings of our Muslims, Islam gets a bad image. This bad image is not likely to attract people to this great religion. If we want to practise ‘dakwah’ (preaching), we are all required to spread the teachings of Islam,“ he said.

Dr Mahathir pointed out that it is time for Muslims to review their behaviour to attract others to the teachings of Islam via spreading the ‘dakwah’ to all communities in the world.

He said the other approach was by showing the success of all Muslims, their love for peace and brotherly attitude towards other Muslims.

“That they should not be enemies of people who don’t attack them. It’s part of the teachings of Islam. If we do that, Muslims will show a good example to the world at large, to the communities, and people will be attracted towards the teachings of Islam which have given success to Muslims.

“This should be taught to preachers and missionaries. This should also be the way of spreading ‘dakwah’ by showing the success in life of Muslims,” he said.

Dr Mahathir said Muslims must also show that those who embrace the teachings of Islam will be successful not only in ‘akhirat’ (the hereafter) but in this world.

According to him, Muslims have to show that Islam is not a hindrance, not an obstruction to the success of the Muslims.

“We must be recognised as people who are successful in all fields, in the field of knowledge, management, governance, etc. To show, that as Muslims, we can govern ourselves, be successful and knowledgeable.

“We must study the religion of Islam, we must know what our religion teaches us. Unfortunately, we know hardly the teachings of Islam, the way of life of a Muslim is not taught by many of us when we try to ‘dakwah’,” he said.

IDIPKL is an Islamic enrichment centre for professionals to enrich the intellect and instill virtues to professionals based on Islamic principles. — Bernama