KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Tuesday Malaysia is not a secular state but an Islamic nation with its own interpretation.2.Wednesday July 18, 2007
He said the country had never been affiliated to secularism but was always driven by the fundamentals of Islam as it is clearly stated in the constitution that Islam is the official religion.
"Islam is the official religion and we are an Islamic state. But as an Islamic state, it does not mean that we don't respect the non-Muslims. The Muslims and the non-Muslims have their own rights (in this country)," he told reporters after officiating the "International Conference on the Role of Islamic States in a Globalised World" on behalf of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at a hotel here.
The conference is organised by the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim). Ikim chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid and director-general Dr Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas were present.
Najib was asked whether Malaysia was seemingly moving towards being a secular state.
"I have to correct you. We have never been secular because being secular by Western definition means separation of the Islamic principles in the way we govern a country.
"We have never been affiliated to that position. We have always been driven by our adherence to the fundamentals of Islam. So, your premise is wrong," he said.
Najib said Malaysia does not want to be stereotyped with the Western definitions of a secular and a non-secular state.
The two-day conference beginning today aims to discuss specifically the strategic modus operandi of revitalising the Muslim ummah in the global context, particularly through a system of education, to harness quality human capital.
Earlier, Najib launched a book entitled "The Ijazah of Abdullah Fahim" authored by Mesut Idris and Syed Ali and published by MPH Group Publishing. It is available at major bookstores at RM59.90 per copy.
-- BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR: While the Federal and PAS governments claim that Malaysia and Kelantan are Islamic states, their versions differ.3.Pl reply with extra care and in a mature way.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Malaysia is an Islamic state that adheres to the fundamentals of Islam, and having a Constitution which states Islam as the official religion.
Asked about the difference between the Islamic state led by the Federal Government and the one led by PAS, Najib said: “PAS has their version and we have our own interpretation. We have never been a secular state,” he said.
Najib said that being an Islamic state did not mean that the rights of non-Muslims were not respected.
“It does not mean that we don’t protect the rights of non-Muslims,” he told reporters after officiating the “The Role of Islamic States in a Globalised World” seminar.
Najib also launched a book The Ijazah of Abdullah Fahim by Mesut Idris and Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas.
Abdullah Fahim was the grandfather of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
The Reid Commission held 118 meetings in Malaya. It met a wide cross-section of persons and organizations and received 131 memoranda. In order not to be influenced by any quarter and to maintain its independence, the Commission wrote its report in Rome, and published it in February 1957. On the issue of State Religion, the Report stated at Paragraph 169.--http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/content/view/2066/2/
“We have considered the question whether there should be any statement in the Constitution to the effect that Islam should be the State religion. There was universal agreement that if any such provision were inserted it must be made clear that it would not in any way affect the civil rights of non-Muslims — ‘the religion of Malaysia shall be Islam.
The observance of this principle shall not impose any disability on non-Muslim nationals professing and practising their own religion and shall not imply that the State is not a secular StateÂ’. There is nothing in the draft Constitution to affect the continuance of the present position in the States with regard to recognition of Islam or to prevent the recognition of Islam in the Federation by legislation or otherwise in any respect which does not prejudice the civil rights of individual non-Muslims.
The majority of us think that it is best to leave the matter on this basis, looking to the fact that Counsel for the Rulers said to us — ‘It is Their Highnesses’ considered view that it would not be desirable to insert some declaration such as has been suggested that the Muslim Faith or Islamic Faith be the established religion of the Federation.
Their Highnesses are not in favour of such declaration being inserted and that is a matter of specific instruction in which I myself have played very little part.’ Mr Justice Abdul Hamid is of opinion that a declaration should be inserted in the Constitution as suggested by the Alliance and his views are set out in his note appended to this Report.”--The Reid Commission