SPEECH BY PRIME MINISTER AT THE GSV RUSSIA ISLAMIC WORLD CONFERENCE: “INTERACTION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE ISLAMIC WORLD IN THE ERA OF EMERGING MULTIPOLARITY”

FORGING PARTNERSHIPS IN A MULTIPOLAR WORLD: THE ISLAMIC WORLD AND RUSSIA IN DIALOGUE

SPEECH BY DATO’ SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM

PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

AT THE

GSV RUSSIA-ISLAMIC WORLD CONFERENCE:

“INTERACTION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE ISLAMIC WORLD IN THE ERA OF EMERGING MULTIPOLARITY”

11 DECEMBER 2024 (WEDNESDAY) | 9:15 AM

MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL, KUALA LUMPUR

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Alhamdulillaahil lazeee anzala ‘alaa ‘abdihil kitaaba

wa lam yaj’al lahoo ‘iwajaa,

Wa Nusalli Ala Rasoolilah Kareem

Wa ‘ala alihi wasahbihi ajma’in.

Rais, my brother from Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, fellow ministers’ presence, Ambassador Muhammad Salah from OIC, Ulama and guests’ presence. Thank you very much for honouring us by your presence.

In 2003 President Vladimir Putin here in Malaysia suggested a more active involvement of the Russia Federation with the Islamic World in a special OIC Conference in Malaysia. Since then, I think through the office of Rais of Tatarstan, we have seen numerous efforts to strengthen that sort of collaboration. May I express my profound gratitude personally to Rais, my dear brother and fellow delegates for honouring us and hopefully fruitful deliberations.

Of course, in the initial remark by President Putin to us and followed by Rais, this is a very challenging circumstances we are facing. We are confident that through effective collaboration among nations, Muslim countries and friendly other countries, we should forge a new understanding and alliance. This is why Malaysia opted to be part and parcel of the BRICS initiatives. And a,gain thank you Rais of Tatarstan for hosting the conference and we take important sort of collaboration to show that we can asserted our right, independently in what we consider multipolarity environment.

Now, Russia has a rich history and the enduring engagement in the Islamic world is nothing new. There were difficulties and I have read the Russian novels when I sat at the Vladivostok in front of the president, for example, Leo Tolstoy’s Haji Murat shows his empathy, understanding and remarkable appreciation of the sentiments express in Tatarstan. And that’s when I learnt the three Tatar strong, tough and have not been able, being able to withstand the pressures, the tortures, the others calamities and that reflects the sentiment, the aspirations of the people of Tatarstan in particular, and of course, in the personality of the Rais tough and the effective.
Now, but we still have problems, that’s why this sort of engagement is important. We thought that with development, with progress, with knowledge, we’ll have more wisdom, we have more tolerance between of course in the Muslim world, between religious leaders of various denominations and we believe this can happen. But this is not the case, this is a period of great tragedies befalling humanity at large and in Muslims in particular. From Gaza, from part of the Europe, the growing, the rise of fascism, racism, the intolerance, the dehumanizing actions, atrocities perpetrated of people, not only Palestine and Gaza in particular, but also many parts of the world.

Our duty is of course to promote this sort of the new understanding of tolerance of the rahmah and ihsan and humanity, because that’s what Islam stands for and it’s important that we use this sort of conferences to reflect that sort of message.

Malaysia is an independent country, have decided firmly now, more so to maintain a very independent stance, fiercely independent. That’s why we have chosen to interact both with the West and the East and to remain consistent in our issues on issues of humanity and justice. And this collaboration between the between Russia and the Muslim world to me is not merely political, it must be also firmly be based on economic collaboration, as BRICS initiative has shown, but also deeply cultural, because it is forged through centuries of interaction and exchange. But as I’ve said, the challenges are there and real Islamophobia remains a persistent and pernicious issue manifesting across continents and cultures.

In Europe, for example, despite its progressive ideals of liberty, fraternity, égalité, shogun during the French Revolution. But in recent years have witnessed a troubling rise in targeted acts against Muslim communities. Mosques have been disaggregated. Here in Malaysia, we have a case, a small case of an attempt by some Muslim fanatics to disaggregate a church. We were swift, the ulama’, the political leaders are swift in condemning this, taking action against the perpetrators because that is our Islamic belief and national ideology.

More than two decades ago, we found a Hindu temple being disaggregated. The moment we took over as a government in that particular state, we resolve to rebuild the temple, out of our recognition that every single citizen has a right to practice their faith. What we are calling for is a consistent, coherent message by other countries. We want to have a showcase that we are torrent. This is a Muslim majority country, Islam is the religion of the Federation. We take all measures possible to make sure the Muslims adhere to their faith, “istajibu lillahi walilrasuli idha da’akum limama yuhyikum” (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:24). But at the same time, we show extreme tolerance and patience and respect for the dignity of men and women of all faiths. This is a message I think it is relevant and pertinent. Not only for the Muslim world for but for the international community.

In North America, the shadow of global conflicts has intensified suspicion and mistrust towards Muslims. Hate crimes have surged in countries where there is so much sophistication, so much access to knowledge, but troubling link between international events and local prejudices.

Social media, while a powerful connector, has often amplified Islamophobic sentiment. They have enabled the spread of false narratives at the speed of light. So, we have to deal with the issue of Islamophobia, including this conference.

Towards inclusivity and understanding, governments must introduce and enforce anti-discrimination laws and civil society, religious leaders, media platforms have a role in challenging stereotypes and fostering dialogue. I referred to and alluded to earlier on issue of the need to forge better effective economic collaboration, not only through BRICS, but through our interaction, our efforts, so that no society will be left behind.

We have embarked on a robust ecosystem of Syariah compliance institutions, driving financial innovation in banks, in Takaful. I believe in the effort of the Rais and the Russia to interact and to be able to introduce this of the instruments because with the strength, experience and technology in Russia, you could probably assist, complement and assist and even enhance the capacity, effectiveness of these Islamic economic institutions.

Now with emphasizing oil and gas, of course, the forte of the Rais, I’m not going to compete on that because that’s spectacular in terms of their capability and advance investment in that field. But I would touch also on the issue of agriculture. Russia in the last few years has made an unprecedented remarkable progress in terms of becoming a leading grain producer and exporter and assisting in the global food security challenges.

And I think Rais, we should then allow for this sort of engagement from Islamic dakwah to economic pursuit and strengthen food supply chains. Because through that, we will effectively fight hunger and poverty. There’s no reason in Muslim countries to pride of ourselves about truth and justice and the value of Islam. At the same time having to grapple with basic problems of poverty, hunger and endemic issues affecting housing and other health issues.

Education and research, where Russia has a reputation for excellence in STEM allign naturally with the aspirations of many Muslim countries. So, we in Malaysia in the last few years have embarked more aggressively into the Russian-Malaysian High-Tech Centre (RMHTC) and collaboration in all fields and I believe this partnership should transcend other issues.

I can’t end my speech, without referring to the issue of Palestine. It is a tragedy of the century. The genocide continues with impunity. This sign of barbarism in this period and age is sickening for us to observe and see on a daily basis. Children and women and their property plundered. I have said in Rio during the G20 summit in the presence of the President of the United States and many European leaders too, that the United Nations was set up as a body of independent nations against colonialism.

In Muslim countries the fight against colonial masters were merely by the Muslim groups, the battle against imperialism is part and parcel of the Muslim struggle of the last century but now the world seems to condone and accept colonialism, you colonize Palestine, you plundered their property, you squandered their wealth, and you dispossessed the land, property and life and the world seems to be silent. So, the moral fabric of global community is gone.

Why talk about morality? why preach about democracy and human rights? I’ve taken a position refusing to listen to the hectoring and lectures about human rights and democracy by western leaders, because clearly they said disconnect, to use a polite term, hypocrisy to use the right term and may we seek Allah’s help and blessing and through our efforts of effective collaboration to state our stand and preserve the right of others.

There of course, concerning development in Syria. We are monitoring this on a daily basis. We call for peaceful transition that respects serious various communities, sectarian divides must be rejected and unity must be embraced as a guiding principle for rebuilding the nation. We have a duty to support in an independent and united Syria.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The journey towards a more equitable and multipolar world demands conviction and unity. This meeting is not merely an opportunity for dialogue, but a call to action. It is an opportunity to fulfill our amanah, let us deepen our partnership, transform our discussions into meaningful actions, and reaffirm our equipment to ad-din, peace and ihsan. I thank all for the International Islamic University of Malaysia for leading this effort. it is a definitive act of realizing I use vision for the betterment of the ummah.

Thank you again for your participation and for the initiative taken by the ra’is and the Russian Federation.

Assalammualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

11-December-2024-Opening-Ceremony-Of-The-Strategic-Vision-Group-Russia-Islamic-World Download

Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob

SPEECH BY PRIME MINISTER AT THE GSV RUSSIA ISLAMIC WORLD CONFERENCE: “INTERACTION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE ISLAMIC WORLD IN THE ERA OF EMERGING MULTIPOLARITY”

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