Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the biggest threat faced by Muslim countries today is that they are often associated with terrorism and deviationist movements.
He said this was made worse by the fact that anti-Islamic countries and the superpowers painted a negative image of Muslim countries.
"The Muslim community has always been linked with terrorism, more so after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.
"No matter what Muslims do, they've always had a battered image," he said when closing the Sarawak Islamic Congress here last night.
Najib said the image problem was compounded when many Muslim communities in the world were labelled poor and backward.
He said Muslim countries had become weak and were not as united as before, particularly since many of them had become victims of war, such as the Palestinians in Gaza.
The deputy prime minister outlined four factors which could help Muslims handle challenges.
First, he said, was human capital development through education and knowledge.
"Muslim countries must have a generation that is intelligent and wise, just as it is mentioned in the Quran. Only then will they be able to build a great civilisation."
The second, he said, was the fighting spirit among the younger generation. He called on Islamic leaders to come forward and lead the way for the young.
"The third is that Muslims do not realise their full economic potential. They must pursue this aggressively and be competitive, especially in trade and industry."
The fourth factor, he said, was that Muslims must improve their work ethics and life practices in accordance with the values of honesty and integrity as espoused by Islam. – text: NST
He said this was made worse by the fact that anti-Islamic countries and the superpowers painted a negative image of Muslim countries.
"The Muslim community has always been linked with terrorism, more so after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.
"No matter what Muslims do, they've always had a battered image," he said when closing the Sarawak Islamic Congress here last night.
Najib said the image problem was compounded when many Muslim communities in the world were labelled poor and backward.
He said Muslim countries had become weak and were not as united as before, particularly since many of them had become victims of war, such as the Palestinians in Gaza.
The deputy prime minister outlined four factors which could help Muslims handle challenges.
First, he said, was human capital development through education and knowledge.
"Muslim countries must have a generation that is intelligent and wise, just as it is mentioned in the Quran. Only then will they be able to build a great civilisation."
The second, he said, was the fighting spirit among the younger generation. He called on Islamic leaders to come forward and lead the way for the young."The third is that Muslims do not realise their full economic potential. They must pursue this aggressively and be competitive, especially in trade and industry."
The fourth factor, he said, was that Muslims must improve their work ethics and life practices in accordance with the values of honesty and integrity as espoused by Islam. – text: NST
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