New York, Sep 27 2010 12:10PM
Decrying what he said was a rising tide of Islamophobia, Malaysia's Prime Minister at the General Assembly today <"http://gadebate.un.org/Portals/1/statements/634211804338906250MY_en.pdf">called for the creation of a global coalition of moderates to combat the forces of religious extremism.
"Attempts to demonize Islam offend the one and a half billion adherents of the religion," and also "intensifies the divide between the broad Muslim world and the West," Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak said at the Assembly's annual high-level debate.
"The real issue is not between Muslims and non-Muslims, but between the moderates and extremists of all religions, be it Islam, Christianity or Judaism."
Across all faiths, he said, "the ugly voices of the periphery" have hijacked reason and common sense.
Mr. Razak urged the establishment of a Global Movement of Moderates from all religions to marginalize extremists.
"We must, and I repeat, we must urgently reclaim the centre and the moral high ground that has been usurped from us," he said.
The official told leaders assembled at United Nations Headquarters today that he is heartened to note that a group of Evangelical Christians worked tirelessly to halt the threatened burning of copies of the Koran by a clergyman in the United States, also condemned by the world body.
"This is a clear example of what can be achieved when moderates in each faith stand up to the extremists that are trying to hijack the universal values of our religions," he said.
The world can also learn from the example of Malaysia, a "multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-cultural and democratic society that has benefited from the positive interaction and synergy between the various communities," Mr. Razak said.
Although Islam is the South-East Asian nation's official religion, other faiths – including Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism – are also honoured, he added.
Sep 27 2010 12:10PM
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