Pm Malay Dignity Strength Built On Foundation Of Islamic Values

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The primacy of Malay dignity and the inherent strength of Malay society are built on the foundations of Islamic values, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
He emphasised that this is an aspect which needs reiteration today, noting that it was highlighted in several books written by royal laureate professor Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas.
“This is an aspect which needs reiteration, particularly in this day and age, rather than partake in the self-induced delusion of ‘Malays losing power’ and the consequential chest-thumping hysteria in asserting ‘Ketuanan Melayu’ (Malay supremacy),” he said.
He spoke during the “Islam: the Covenants Fulfilled” event at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur last night.
ADSSyed Muhammad Naquib also gave a speech while Higher Education Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, and professor Alparslan Acikgenc from Ibn Khaldun University, Turkiye, were present.
Anwar said Syed Muhammad Naquib’s works served as a reminder of the Islamic outlook on life, based on the core civilisational values of justice, culture, freedom, morality, and societal progress.
Islamic scholar and philosopher Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas (centre) when he was bestowed the rank and title of ‘royal professor’ by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, with PM Anwar Ibrahim in attendance“Above all, the call to overcome ignorance with knowledge, to go into the light from darkness, all these being the absolutely essential building blocks of a noble and great civilisation,” he added.
Anwar said the government will take the initiative to enhance the Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas Library at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (Istac) in Kuala Lumpur, with its collection estimated at more than 150,000 titles.
“Let us pray that future generations will draw inspiration and benefit from our quintessential Islamic scholar, our teacher par excellence, our beloved royal laureate professor Naquib Al-Attas,” he said.
As one of Syed Muhammad Naquib’s devoted pupils, Anwar said the scholar inspired him to go the extra mile, step out of his comfort zone of books and studies, and take action to make things happen.
He said the scholar’s book on Islam and secularism, published more than four decades ago, has had a lasting impression on him, and he believes that it remains compellingly relevant today.
- Bernama

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