Jakarta, NU Online
Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi suggested that Muslims around the world should take action to heal the rifts between the East and the West within the ummah.

"We must underline the importance of combating deviant ideology, develop educational curricula that firmly establish the values of understanding, tolerance, dialogue, and multilateralism in accordance with the tenets of Islam," Badawi said in the NU international conference at Jakarta's Borobudur Hotel, Tuesday (20/6).

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Badawi, who chairs the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), addressed about efforts to strengthen relations between the East and the West to reduce conflict among the Muslim ummah.

He said that Muslims must unite. They should be able to resolve to put an end to all the sectarian conflicts that divide Muslims. The different ways, according to him, the Muslims champion the faith should not become a source of discord among them.

"At the same time, we must reject those who deliberately kill non-combatants and the innocent; those who oppress and exploit others; those who are corrupt and greedy; those who are chauvinistic and communal. The true Muslims are those who uphold justice, who fight tyranny, who seek liberation from oppression, who are honest and upright, who are universal and inclusive in word and deed," Badawi said.

Before the national and international gignitaries, Badawi took Malaysia's Islam Hadhari for instance. He pointed out that Islam Hadhari is for the good of all malaysians, whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims.

"At the national level, the objective is to establish a progressive community which is modern and demokratic, yet firmly rooted in the noble values and injunctions of Islam," he added.

Other speakers, who have opportunity to deliver speech in the forum, include Mark Woodward from United States, Anis Ahmed from Pakistan, Aslam Timol from France, and this country's H.S. Dillon and Sri Edi Swasono, who will focus on Islam, injustice and poverty.

The forum aims to create a new moderate Muslim movement, which will promote religious tolerance worldwide. (dar)