Malaysia to host world Islamic theologians conference in july
Regional-Malaysia, Religion, 5/16/2003

Malaysia will host the World Conference of Islamic Scholars for more than 600 Ulamas in its new administrative capital Putrajaya from July 10 to 12, reports the Asian country's news agency (BERNAMA).

Chairman of the executing committee Haji Mohamad Nakhaie Ahmad said the conference, to be keynoted by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, will serve as a platform for ulamas to discuss challenges faced by Muslims in the globalization era.

"We want these ulamas to play an important role in creating awareness among Muslims and explain the true meaning of Islam... this is because one of the causes of disunity among Muslims is the confusion over Islamic teachings," he told Bernama Wednesday.

Nakhaie, who is also head of a Muslim missionary body, Islamic Dakwah Foundation Malaysia (Yadim), said the confusion was caused by the various interpretations of Islam made by certain groups.

"Each and everyone would interpret Islam according to their own interest and not according to the true meaning of Islam as contained in the holy Quran and sunnah (or sayings of the Prophet)," he said.

Among renowned ulamas who have been invited is Imam Shaikh Al-Azhar of Egypt, Sayyid Muhammad Tantawi, who will deliver the keynote address entitled "True religion in facing challenges of globalization." "We hope the conference will mark the beginning of efforts for Muslims worldwide to unite and cooperate in facing global challenges.

"Given the current world developments, particularly the Information Technology (IT) revolution, we find that Muslims are facing a (culture) shock and pressures from superpowers," he said.

"The younger generations in particular have to be enlightened that terrorism is not the way for us to escape oppression," he said.

The conference will also enable Malaysia to share its experiences in matters concerning nation-building, particularly economic management.

Local participants will consist of representatives from government agencies, the private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), political parties and institutions of higher learning.

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