Oleh/By : DATO SERI DR MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : NEW YORK, USA
Tarikh/Date : 03-02-2002
Tajuk/Title : THE ROLE OF ISLAM IN THE
MODERN STATE
Versi : ENGLISH
Penyampai : PM
1. Islam is a religion of peace and moderation. If it
does not appear to be so today, it is not because of the
teachings of Islam but the interpretations made by those
apparently learned in Islam to suit their patrons or
their own vested interest.
2. Islam differs from the other monotheistic religions;
Judaism and Christianity, because it has no system of
priests. Muslims believe that the Hebrew and Christian
priests had changed the original religions. They do not
want priests to change Islam.
3. But over the centuries those learned in Islam, the
ulama, gained such authority over the Muslims laity that
many of them tended to use their considerable influence
to gain power for themselves. They become like the
priests of other religions.
4. The early ulamas were knowledgeable in many
disciplines besides Islamic theology. Today political
ulamas are only knowledgeable about those parts of the
teachings of Islam which seemingly support their
political views. Many misinterpret and distort Islam in
order to legitimise their political creed. A favourite
one is that only ulamas may rule a country, democracy
notwithstanding.
5. These political ulamas reject knowledge that is not
specifically religious for fear that such people might
challenge their authority. Although the early Muslims
were great scholars excelling in mathematics and the
sciences, today's Muslims are generally backward in most
fields of learning. They are also not knowledgeable in
Islam.
6. Every time an attempt is made to bring Muslim nations
to the development levels of non-Muslim countries, Muslim
groups would emerge demanding a "return to Islam." These
groups are usually violent and often declare "holy wars"
against Muslim Governments trying to develop the country.
And because Muslim countries are backward, instead of
helping themselves as enjoined by the Quran, they tend to
depend solely on divine help, lead by the deviant ulamas.
7. In Malaysia, the Government which I lead is labeled
secular and unIslamic by the opposition Pan Malaysia
Islamic Party, led by people who claim they are Ulamas.
Hatred for the so-called secular Government is fostered
from the kindergarten onwards. Fighting against this
hate campaign absorb much of the time of the Government
and hinders development.
8. Actually Malaysia is already an Islamic country. The
State religion is Islam and Muslims can practise their
religion and apply the syariah laws as family laws. All
the religious needs of Muslims are provided by the
Government. At the same time non-Muslims are free to
practise their religions, because this is permitted by
Islam. But deviant Muslims still insist that Malaysia is
secular and the Government must be overthrown, by
violence preferably.
The problem that is faced by Muslim countries is actually
due to deviation from Islamic fundamentals. People are
fond of equating fundamentalists with fanatical and
extreme orthodoxy. But the fundamentals of Islam are
simple and basic and good. This is because Islam
preaches peace and the brotherhood of Muslims.
9. Islam abhors wars of aggression and the killing of
innocent people. Defensive wars are permitted but should
the enemy sue for peace, Muslims must respond positively.
Islam promotes the acquisition of knowledge and skills.
But the ulamas later interpreted learning as learning
religion only. Bereft of non-religious knowledge the
great Islamic civilisation declined and faded away.
10. If the Muslims stick to the fundamentals of Islam
they would not be divided into a multitude of different
sects, race and nations each claiming to be the true
Muslim or more Muslim than the others. Not only do they
oppose each other but frequently they make war on each
other.
11. If Muslims return to the fundamentals of Islam, then
the religion will ensure the development of the Muslims
and their nations, and their being at peace with each
other and with non-Muslim nations. The Muslim nations
would be well administered by trained and skillful people
and would be able to compete within the global community.
They would then have a vested interest in international
stability and peace and would want to maintain it.
12. In multi-racial and multi-religious Malaysia we have
tried to practise the fundamentals of Islam. But the
extremist deviants are always sniping at us. Still Malay
Muslims have largely refused to be deviated from the
fundamentals of Islam and to give power to self-appointed
ulamas incompetent in administration and development.
13. Malaysia is a reasonably developed modern nation not
in spite of Islam but because of Islam, because it tries
to adhere to the fundamentals of Islam. Islam is not
just a religion. It is a way of life. It should bring
about peace, stability and success. It is a way of life
which does not neglect spiritual values. It is a way of
life which can bring greatness to the followers of Islam,
as it once did.
14. If today Islam is perceived to be a religion of
backward, violent and irrational people, it is not
because of Islam itself as a faith and way of life. It
is because Muslims have deviated from the fundamentals of
Islam, have abused the teachings in order to justify
their personal greed and ambitions.
15. Islam, fundamental Islam, does not have just a role
in the Modern Islamic state. In this grossly
materialistic age, Islam can instill the spiritual values
which distinguish man from the lower creatures. Malaysia
is comfortable with Islam and we can become a modern
developed country.
Sumber : Pejabat Perdana Menteri
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