Malaysian Prime Minister Emphasizes Dialogue to Combat Islamophobia
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for dialogue and cooperation between Muslims and others to enhance mutual understanding and avoid misunderstandings that lead to Islamophobia. This statement was made during his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 7th Global Conference on Islamic Thought and Civilization, held under the theme “Standing Together: Muslims and Global Humanity.”
Anwar Ibrahim stated that the West, in the post-colonial period, continues to uphold the old principles of the “Other,” which leads to misunderstandings, misinformation, and the denial of the existence of Muslims, contributing to Islamophobia. He emphasized, “Therefore, I believe that cooperation is necessary for us to make others understand us, and for us to understand them.”
It is worth noting that the Global Conference on Islamic Thought and Civilization has been held since 2012 under the auspices of Sultan Azlan Shah University in Malaysia, featuring participants from over 21 countries.
The conference, which began on Monday, July 29, 2024, will last for three days, aiming to create a platform for exchanging ideas among leaders, researchers, thinkers, and regional and international experts, addressing contemporary issues affecting the world.
