Embrace spirit of wasatiyyah for nation’s sake, says Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak emphasised that the spirit of wasatiyyah (moderation) should not only be embraced by Muslims but also understood by those of other faiths and races to ensure the nation’s prosperity and well-being. 

He said the concept of wasatiyyah should be made the main thrust and direction of the country as it promised fairness and well being in the material world as well as the hereafter. 

Najib (picture) added that the concept of wasatiyyah should be a life-long practice for all groups and levels as taught by Islam. 

“Moderation refers to the wisdom of forming good relations, harmony, mutual respect between Muslims and believers of other religions where there should be a balance between here and the hereafter. 

The prime minister was speaking at the launching of the Malaysian Wasatiyyah Institute, here tonight. 

Also present were the prime minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Ali Hamsa, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon, Religious Advisor to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Md Zin and Malaysian Wasatiyyah Institute director Mohd Yusof Din.

Najib added that even though wasatiyyah was not something of Malaysian origin, as it has been found in other countries such as Qatar but if it was embraced and applied fairly, maybe Malaysia would be the leading country in the practice of wasatiyyah.

As an example, he said Muslims from all over the world respected Malaysia and were attracted by the ability of Malaysia to maintain harmony and national development even though it faced a challenging political environment.

He added that this was because, Malaysia had always practised the approach and concept of wasatiyyah even though the country faced various complex problems.   

“As such, the philosophy of wasatiyyah was timely for national leaders in managing the direction of the country,” he said. 

Therefore, Najib said the Malaysian government practised the concept of wasatiyyah by doing its part towards the peaceful resolution of the more than four-year conflict between the Filipino government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Southern Philippines.

“The Malaysian government also used the same concept to bring the Thai government and Islamic separatists last week to an agreement to end their war and start talks.

“Just imagine how many people have been saved from these conflicts, just with Malaysia’s peace efforts, as propounded in Islamic principles and wasatiyyah,” he said.  

Citing the Lahad Datu and Semporna incidents, Najib said he and the line-up of leaders took a decision based on the wasatiyyah concept first before launching an offensive against the armed intruders there.   

“I gave them a week, then extended it to three weeks because I didn’t want to see any bloodshed or innocent lives lost.  But the Malaysian government’s noble intentions were re-paid with war.

“So, war means the time for talk is up and we’ll go all out to eliminate them,” he said.

The prime minister also expressed hope that the Malaysian Institute of Wasatiyyah, which was established on January 17 last year, would be a catalyst for the expansion of the concept within the society. 

“The wasatiyyah philosophy should actually be inculcated at the grass roots level, to our young ones, so that they can practice it fully,” he said. — Bernama