Moderation In Life Can Curb Terrorism

PETALING JAYA (Selangor, Malaysia), Nov 22 (Bernama) -- "Wasatiyyah", which means moderation in all aspects of human life, is one of the important aspects that can curb terrorism and religious extremism, Malaysian Ambassador to Egypt Dr Mohd Fakhrudin Abdul Mukti said. He said the concept of 'wasatiyyah', which also means having an open mind and stressing on the importance of dialogue to resolve problems, practised by the Malaysian government, was also a correct and the most appropriate move. "Being moderate does not mean that we are weak, but it can be interpreted as having the strength to accept the opinions of others and the ability to participate in discussions or dialogues with an open mind," he told reporters after announcing the establishment of the World Association of Al-Azhar Graduates Malaysia (WAAG Malaysia) here on Monday. Prime Minister Najib Razak in his lecture in Oxford, United Kingdom last May had urged the world community to practice moderation or 'wasatiyyah' in its action and as a way forward. Dr Mohd Fakhrudin said the organising of the 'Wasatiyyah' Understanding, 1Malaysia seminar scheduled for Nov 26, which will be opened by Najib, was also a good effort to foster public understandings of Islam. Dr Mohd Fakhrudin also said that the setting up of WAAG Malaysia was aimed at uniting the graduates of Al-Azhar University in the country. "The main purpose of WAAG is to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas among the graduates and probably among all scholars, thinkers and academicians on issues related to Islam," he said. He said there was about 30,000 Al-Azhar University graduates in Malaysia. Apart from Malaysia, WAAG had also been established in Canada, Britain, Indonesia, France, India, Kuwait, Pakistan and Palestine. Meanwhile, Dr Mohd Fakhrudin also said that parents whose children were pursuing studies in Egypt need not worry about the safety of their children as appropriate measures had been taken by the Malaysian Embassy there. In fact, he said the situation in Egypt at the moment was under control, but students at Alexandria University and Cairo University had been asked to take precautionary measures to prevent untoward incidents. "Those who are nearer to Tahrir Square are mostly medical students. In case of any uprising, we will relocate them immediately," he said. Since Saturday, police in Cairo were clashing with stone-throwing protestors demanding that Egypt's military rulers to quickly transfer power to a civilian government. Over 1,000 were reported injured in the clashes so far. -- BERNAMA Malaysia