Closing Plenary International conference On Global Movement Of Moderates

Bismillaahir rahmaanir rahim

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh and Good Afternoon.

Y.A.B. Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia

Honourable Mohamed Shihab
Minister of Finance and Treasury,
Maldives

Y.B. Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal
Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Malaysia

Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Razali Ismail
Chairman of the Board of Advisors, Global Movement of Moderates

Encik Khalek Awang
Conference Director
International Conference on Global Movement of Moderates

Your Excellencies

Distinguished guests

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Steven Pinker, a famed psychologist and linguist, in his latest study has pointed to the decline of violence, and that deliberate killing of civilians have shown a downward trajectory. He argues that we have been lulled into a false sense of insecurity and there are fewer instances of deaths from terrorism than ever was before. Whilst Professor Pinker is spot on in his analysis – as battle deaths per 100,000 of the world population have shrunk from 300 during the height of the World War II, to less than one in the 21st century, do we take these numbers at their face value? What do they really mean and what do they represent? Why is it that extremist acts are plastered all over the pages of newspapers, and footages of terrorism dominate our current affairs?

2. TIME magazine’s editor-at-large, Mr. Fareed Zakaria, who unfortunately was unable to attend this conference, argued that we are living in the time of “the rise of the rest”. What does he mean by this rise? It’s where traditional applications of national power that we have been accustomed to, have given way to empowered groups and individuals. Traditional wars between nations are replaced with economic battles. In short, there is a diffusion of power from states to other actors and we are now still grappling at this shift. Current reading of the situation is that the dynamics are ever changing and this adjustment setting have allowed terrorists, drug cartels, insurgents and militias of all kinds to explore spaces to operate within the cleavages of the international system.

3. This is where the Global Movement of Moderates comes in. For the past three days, we have collectively put on our thinking hats and opened our hearts to understand the gravity of our current predicament. During the course of this Conference, we attempted to make sense of this great transformation that has reshaped international life – the political, economic and culture. It is undeniable that historical timeline has indicated that there are fewer quantifiable lives lost during conflict, but it hasn’t decreased any impact of any lives so lost and displaced.

4. Remnants of war continue to cause tremendous misery and unfortunately, it affects generations. Any effort of generalisation may influence public discourse, as it is the nature of existing media and the democratisation of its access such as platforms oft-talked about, Twitter and Facebook. There are bound to be conflicts that could lead to clashes. With the issues of poverty, radicalism and poor governance intersperses in too many failed society, I feel that the reason why we are gathered is that we are all here to confront these challenges.

5. With that, I commend the IIUM Alumni Association for their effort in initiating such a momentous International Conference. I would also like to congratulate the supporting organisations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Razak School of Government and “Institut Terjemahan Negara dan Buku Malaysia” for providing immense support to the Conference.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

6. As President of IIUM, allow me to briefly share the main philosophy behind the establishment of the University. On paper, it was as simple as marrying both scientific and theological approach to education. In execution, it has many challenges, but despite that, IIUM maintains its mission in producing better quality intellectuals, professionals and scholars. This is through integrating the qualities of faith (iman), knowledge (`ilm), and good character (akhlaq) to serve as agents of comprehensive and balanced progress as well as sustainable development in Malaysia and in the Muslim world.

7. Since IIUM’s establishment in 1983, there is a symbiotic relationship between the University and the Government in promoting good governance and values as a step towards addressing socio-political and economic issues in the Islamic world. Shouldering this immense responsibility, the University undertakes the special and greatly needed task of reforming the contemporary Muslim mindset and integrating Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences. In this regard, the IIUM can be seen as one of the leading institutions in cultivating and nurturing the movement of moderates in Malaysia, as well as at the international level.

8. The Malaysian intellectual movement has to be dynamic to keep up with the new era of diffusion of power and “the rise of the rest”. For that unyielding movement to strive towards transforming society, it has to resonate with the society. The promotion of a set of ideas within both the spiritual and scientific sphere has to be intellectually and practically accepted by the masses. In similar vein and spirit, it is hoped that the inception of the Global Movement of Moderates will further enhance intercultural understanding and foster inter-civilisational dialogues in Malaysia, as well as other communities of the world. With a community of dedicated intellectuals, scholars, professionals, officers and workers who are learned in their respective disciplines and motivated in bringing seeds of change into every nook and crannies of the world, such hope is possible.
Ladies and Gentlemen,

9. In conclusion, in order for moderation to become the catalyst for world peace and humanity, creation of an environment which supports and encourages life-long commitment for learning, and a deep sense of social responsibility amongst members of the community is direly in need. The Global Movement of Moderates, in short, should be an important platform to remind us of our own commitment and responsibility in addressing extremism in every sphere of our daily life.

10. Last but not least, I urge all of you today to collectively forge strategies to enhance and elevate our actions. The overall improvement of the human condition should be our main agenda and this has to go beyond religious, cultural and ideological differences. I hope that when all the delegates leave this Conference, we leave with a concerted plan and determination towards reigniting mutual understanding and recreating human civilisation.

Thank you.

Wabillahittaufik walhidayah
Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh.