NEED FOR PARADIGM SHIFT: Islam is not about warfare, violence and terrorism
JOHOR BARU: MUSLIM moderates have been urged to speak up instead of letting extremists make the world think that Islam is a religion that promotes warfare, violence and terrorism.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Chancellor Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah said it was the voice of moderation, especially at those in the academic sector, that could lead the way in ridding the religion of the negative views. She said the matter was worsened by the fact that some educators were planting the seeds of extremism in the younger generation.
“I was at a conference on Muslim societies held in Oxford, United Kingdom, when I received a text message.
“The text message was from a friend who said a teacher had sent a message to her five-year-old son, which went something like this, ‘Do not look at a church. If you look at a church, you will go blind’,” said Raja Zarith Sofiah during a press conference here on Friday.
Raja Zarith Sofiah said she was appalled by the text message as it was sent to her while she was attending a three-day conference on “Science in Muslim Societies: Past and Present” at the Ditchley Park in Oxford last month.
The conference was jointly organised by UTM and the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies.
“The event was attended by leading world experts, scientists and intellectuals and some of them aren’t even Muslims.
“But they have a deep respect for Islam and are well-versed in the historical, philosophical and ethical aspects of science in Islam, including discussions on the state of science in contemporary Muslim societies.”
She said scholars the world over have acknowledged the contributions of Muslim scholars in the past, and they continue to hold their contributions in high regard.
The speakers at the conference included those from the Malaysian scientific community and renowned scientists such as Sir Terence English, who is the first surgeon to perform a heart transplant, and Judith English, a prominent physician. Others included Templeton Foundation representative Dr Michael Murray, UTM Vice-Chancellor Datuk Prof Dr Zaini Ujang and science adviser to the government, Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Zakri Abdul Hamid.
Raja Zarith said plans were underway to organise a series of public lectures by foreign scholars and experts and to create a website on the study of Science in Islam to reach out to children in war-torn countries like Afghanistan and Iraq.
“Look at the religion from a scientific point of view instead of politically. There is a difference when one can look at things scientifically,” she said.
Raja Zarith said Muslim moderates have to create the paradigm shift in perception that Islam is not about warfare, violence and terrorism.
“There were exhibitions, titled 1001 Muslim Inventions, held in California, United States and at the British Museum in London and many of those who turned up were not Muslims.
“UTM plans to host an exhibition on 1001 Muslim Inventions in Kuala Lumpur next year.
“If foreigners can be so open, why can’t some (extremists) practise tolerance?
“It was said in the Quran. To you your faith, to me my religion. The Christians and the Jews are the people of the book.”
Plans for a fellowship or scholarship for Islamic studies are in the pipeline, she said.
Source: NST
Date: 17th. June 2012