Muslim leaders must speak out against extremism or Islam will tear itself apart says Malaysia at UNGA
- 11 years ago
Malaysia's prime minister Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak told the United Nations General Assembly that the greatest threat to Islam today was coming from within as sectarian violence sweeps across the Middle East following failed revolutions.
He urged Muslim leaders to speak out against violence in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan and the Palestinian Territories by preaching Malaysia-style moderation.
Saying violence across so many Muslim countries was counter to the preachings of Islam and condemened those who used religion to settle political scores and vie for power.
"I believe the greatest threat to Muslims today comes not from the outside world, but from within," said Razak. "Our religion - founded on peace, and premised on tolerance - is being twisted by extremists, who are deploying false arguments to foster division and justify violence."
But moderate Muslim leaders were not powerless, Razak said.
The Arab Spring, he said, has showed that the Muslim worl
He urged Muslim leaders to speak out against violence in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan and the Palestinian Territories by preaching Malaysia-style moderation.
Saying violence across so many Muslim countries was counter to the preachings of Islam and condemened those who used religion to settle political scores and vie for power.
"I believe the greatest threat to Muslims today comes not from the outside world, but from within," said Razak. "Our religion - founded on peace, and premised on tolerance - is being twisted by extremists, who are deploying false arguments to foster division and justify violence."
But moderate Muslim leaders were not powerless, Razak said.
The Arab Spring, he said, has showed that the Muslim worl