BALANCE OF WORLDLY PROGRESS AND SPIRITUAL VALUES KEY TO MALAYSIA MADANI AGENDA - PM ANWAR

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- The balance between worldly development and spiritual strength must continue to be the cornerstone of the Malaysia MADANI agenda to ensure the nation is not only advanced in terms of technology, but also excels in morality, humanity and values, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said value-based and human-centred development was crucial in shaping a prosperous society as well as a stable and resilient nation.

“We must elevate ‘karamah insaniyyah’ (human dignity) by placing values and morality across the entire framework of education, the economy, technology and governance,” he said at the closing ceremony of the International Khatam Sama’ Hadith Sahih Muslim 2025 at Putra Mosque tonight.

Also present was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.

Anwar stressed that the Malaysia MADANI concept was not merely a slogan, but a national development framework rooted in knowledge, morality and humanitarian values alongside technological advancement and rapid economic growth.

“What is the distinction in our understanding of MADANI? All nations speak about sustainability and now, as countries move towards a fresh pace of economic growth, everyone talks about energy transition, digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI).

“The difference in a MADANI nation is that its foundation remains in morality and values. We speak of a world competing to achieve rapid and dynamic progress and development, yet losing its moral and humanitarian values,” he said.

Therefore, he said, earnest efforts must be mobilised to realise the true meaning of a MADANI nation to ensure the people were not left behind in knowledge and new fields, including AI, digital and new energy, while at the same time not neglecting the strength of faith, conviction and human values.

He said the MADANI government was the only administration that had successfully emphasised Quranic studies and supported its teaching in national schools, religious schools and traditional pondok schools.

In addition, he said efforts to enliven mosques had also been strengthened by expanding hadith studies, which began last year with the successful Khatam Sahih Bukhari, and continued this year with the study of Sahih Muslim.

Anwar also expressed appreciation to the international scholars present at the event, including the Grand Mufti of India, Al-Allamah Sheikh Abu Bakar Ahmad Al-Malibari, and Sheikh Dr Ahamed Mamduh from Egypt.

Also present were Al-Allamah Sheikh Isam As-Sabuie Al-Maliki from Tunisia, Sheikh Dr Yasir Al-Adeni As-Syahiri and Sheikh Niyaz Ahmad Al-Adeni from Yemen, Sheikh Hussein Abdul Qadir Al Yusuf and Sheikh Hasnul Hizam Hamzah from Malaysia, and Tuan Guru Sheikh Nuruddin Al-Banjari Al Makki from Indonesia.

He said the presence of these prominent Islamic scholars demonstrated the recognition of Malaysia’s role as a leading centre of Islamic knowledge, in line with Malaysia MADANI’s aspiration to gather scholars to exchange views, strengthen ties and manifest the unity of the ummah.

“This is the meaning when I introduced the framework of Malaysia MADANI—bringing together scholars to conduct discourse, deepen understanding, rectify weaknesses and enhance efforts to fulfil the duties and trust of governing this nation,” he said.

More than 15,000 people attended this year’s khatam ceremony, while at least 2,000 participants were present daily throughout the programme, which began on Nov 19.

The programme once again reinforced Malaysia’s role as a leading centre of Islamic scholarship in the region, supporting the national mission to strengthen inclusive Islamic thought and reject extremist narratives that could divide society.

-- BERNAMA