Mohd Nakhaie Determined To Strengthen Role Of Dakwah In Facing Challenges

From Noor Bakthtiar Ahmad

MANAMA (Bahrain), Feb 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's new official representative in the Muslim Hukama' Council, Datuk Mohd Nakhaie Ahmad, is determined to strengthen the role of dakwah in facing the challenges of Muslims globally, especially in Southeast Asia.

He said the responsibility given was a great trust, in line with the resolution agreed upon at the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference that ended on Feb 20 and the message from the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Prof Dr Ahmed El-Tayyeb, who is also the chairman of the Muslim Hukama' Council, on the role of scholars in guiding Muslims.

"This is a great honour. Although this task is difficult, I accept the challenge with the desire to guide young people and intellectuals towards a struggle that will have a meaningful impact on Muslims," ​​he told Bernama on the sidelines of the conference here.

The Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference, jointly organised by Al Azhar Al Sharif, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA) of Bahrain and the Muslim Hukama' Council, brought together more than 400 Islamic scholars, religious leaders, intellectuals and experts from across the Muslim world.

It was attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who was honoured as the only head of government invited to deliver the keynote address.

The prime minister, who was on an official visit here last week, also met with El-Tayyeb and discussed the formal establishment of the Muslim Hukama’ Council in Malaysia.

Anwar also introduced Mohd Nakhaie as the new Malaysian representative at the meeting.

Meanwhile, Mohd Nakhaie stressed that Malaysia has good networks with scholars around the world which need to be utilised to strengthen the authentic understanding of Islam among the ummah.

“A true understanding of Islam is very important, not only for national development but also to ensure the unity of the people. When the Islamic world is facing major challenges, we should not be tied down to petty debates that only divide the ummah,” he said.

He urged Muslims to pay attention to major issues such as the crisis in Palestine and the challenges of living in a plural society, rather than minor differences in faith which are often the subject of debate.

"The main problem of Muslims today is not just differences of opinion, but the failure to manage those differences well. On the Palestinian issue, for example, we have spoken out a lot but have yet to form a truly effective united movement," he said.

He expressed his appreciation to the prime minister for the trust given to him to represent Malaysia in the Muslim Hukama' Council.

"We have been together for a long time in the struggle for Islam. Despite our advancing age, the spirit of dakwah remains strong," he said.

The Muslim Hukama' Council is a body of world-renowned scholars whose role is to discuss Islamic issues and global challenges faced by Muslims.

-- BERNAMA