‘Fight extremism’
PM’S CALL AT UNITED NATIONS: Moderation can be a powerful tool and Muslims must unite against those using religion to commit violence
(NST) – NEW YORK: PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has called for an end to the atrocities being committed in some Muslim countries, saying the situation has become “a burden we can no longer afford to bear”. Speaking at the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) here yesterday, he urged Muslims to unite in the fight against extremists who used religion as an excuse to commit violence.
“And one of the most powerful tools we have to do so is al-wasatiyyah: the practice of moderation.” Addressing the UNGA for the first time after a general election that had returned Barisan Nasional to power and gave him a fresh mandate to run the country, Najib urged the international community to give their all to resolve the political problems that had raised tensions in the Muslim world.
“It is time to end the killing and concentrate instead on building a common agenda for peace and prosperity,” Najib articulated to a rapt audience comprising high-level foreign dignitaries yesterday.
Najib has been consistent in promoting the moderate approach in tackling religious extremism since his maiden speech as prime minister at UNGA in September 2010, when he proposed the Global Movement of Moderates.
Najib, who was sharply dressed in a black suit and maroon tie, spoke for nearly 20 minutes.
Present were Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, Najib’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and officials from the Malaysian embassy in the United States.
Najib is also expected to stress a similar stance on moderation when he holds talks with US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the two leaders’ visit to Malaysia next month.
When delivering Malaysia’s statement during the General Debate on Saturday, he cited cases in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Pakistan, where, cumulatively, thousands of people have been killed following violence by extremist militants, stemming from the conflict between the Sunnis and Shias.
He said the conflict between the Sunnis and Shias was threatening the lives of millions of Muslims, and Islam was being twisted by extremists who were deploying false arguments to foster division and justify violence.
Across the Islamic world, extremists were wrapping their perverse agenda in religious garb, tearing families, countries and the ummah apart, he added.
“The corrosive influence of extremism cannot be easily countered. But we are not powerless to act. I believe moderation in religion and the political process can stem the loss of life and liberty in the Muslim world.
“By reaffirming our commitment to moderation and solving the political problems that drive instability, we can seize back the centre ground. We can marginalise the extremists. And we can advance an agenda for peace, harmony and justice.”
Najib said “we should not mistake moderation for weakness”, adding that to face those baying for violence and call for calm instead was a sign not of frailty, but of strength.
Muslim leaders, he added, should speak up and condemn violence, lest their silence was mistaken for acceptance.
On the Syrian conflict, Najib said Malaysia was opposed to any unilateral action to resolve the conflict, stressing the need for a Syrian-led inclusive political process instead.
“All sides must come together to work out a political settlement.”
Najib called on the international community to intensify efforts to explore all possible diplomatic options for peace under the auspices of UN.
“We must also find the vision and the political will to commit to a just solution for Palestine.
“We fervently hope that progress towards a viable Palestinian state, based on pre-1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital, will be made and that the US and other members of the Quartet continue to play their roles as honest brokers in the process.”
Najib also said the Arab Spring movement showed that the Muslim world was crying out for change.
“Governments must answer that call. We must provide good governance to fight corruption, create jobs to tackle poverty and deliver sustainable growth that builds a world of opportunity for our citizens. We must create economies in which people can fulfil their own aspirations, not those of extremists.”
After speaking at UNGA, Najib is scheduled to lead the Malaysian delegation to bilateral talks with Bangladesh.
Later, he is scheduled to drop by the Global Citizen Festival at Central Park and host a dinner for Malaysians here.
