Anwar hails Asean unity, calls for stronger Islamic world collaboration
KAZAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today hailed Asean as one of the world's most peaceful and economically dynamic regions, urging Islamic nations to embrace greater collaboration and shared values to achieve long-term prosperity.
Speaking at the plenary session of the 16th International Economic Forum "Russia–Islamic World: KazanForum 2025", Anwar said Malaysia's ties with its Southeast Asian neighbours serve as a blueprint for trust-based cooperation.
"Malaysia is fortunate because we have, among our Asean neighbours, excellent relations based on trust and working together," he said in his keynote address.
"Asean happens to be one of the most peaceful regions in the world, vibrant and dynamic economically."
He cited examples such as the Asean Power Grid, which connects electricity networks across several member states from Vietnam and Laos to Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, as proof of practical regional collaboration.
However, Anwar cautioned that economic integration alone was not enough. He stressed that progress must be grounded in ethics, justice and dignity, drawing from Islamic values and the moral teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
"I'm not talking about economic fundamentals, energy transition and digital transformation in the absence of imbibing values and character," he said.
"Family values, trust, justice, honour, human dignity, these must be part of our foundation."
The prime minister called for a stronger and more cohesive Muslim world, particularly in sectors such as the halal economy, Islamic finance and digital innovation.
Embracing the halal adventure is critical, he said, citing the sector's potential value of over US$3 trillion.
"It's more than just branding. It must reflect harmony between commerce and conscience."
Anwar said Islamic finance should not merely replicate conventional systems, but offer innovative and viable alternatives for both Muslim and non-Muslim societies.
He also praised Tatarstan and Russian President Vladimir Putin for their commitment to the KazanForum and for creating platforms to strengthen the voice of Muslim countries on the global stage.
"President Putin mentioned repeatedly the need to support this forum and ensure it becomes pragmatic and meaningful," he said.
Earlier, the prime minister quoted Russian author and philosopher Leo Tolstoy and Tatar national poet Gabdulla Tukay to highlight the Tatars' resilience and dynamism in forging ties with the Islamic world.
"What energy and tenacity," Anwar said, referencing Tolstoy's Haji Murad and Tukay's patriotic poetry.
"The Tatars stood firm, never surrendering, facing new challenges with courage. We must learn from this strength as we build new ventures with the Islamic world."
Addressing youth empowerment, Anwar urged leaders to include young voices in shaping policies and decisions.
"Let our young people reflect on what we have discussed and offer their views. They must have a major say in programmes that affect their future."
The prime minister concluded by reaffirming Malaysia's support for KazanForum and praised Tatarstan's role in advancing economic diplomacy with the Islamic world.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Thursday (June 5, 2025)
Malaysia * Anwar files appeal against High Court's dismissal of bid to refer immunity questions to apex court * Appeals court defers decision in Tommy Thomas' appeal to recuse judge * Three Jitra students killed in accident on NSE * Lawyers for Daim's widow to challenge MACC's seizure of Ilham Tower in court * Malaysian entrepreneur apologises for spending 'only' RM1mil on daughter's 11th birthday * KTMB receives two of 10 new ETS trains, testing underway * PETRONAS to cut 10% of workforce after profits slump * Police arrest man for alleged molestation in Bayan Lepas * MACC seizes Ilham Tower again * Penang to hear from vape industry before deciding on ban, says CM * Loke hints KLIA aerotrain to be back in service soon * Cabinet did not discuss Tengku Zafrul's position, Umno's request for seven minister posts, says Fahmi * Body found in Bangsar construction site is that of missing British man, say cops * Johor MB announces management takeover of Desaru Coast resort * Thirteen foreigners arrested for illegal homestay operations * Bukit Aman denies detaining stranded Haj pilgrims * Customs seizes RM5.1 worth of vapes, liquid in Penang and Selangor * Malaysia stands firm on labour commitments * Over 30 foreign workers injured in Bangi bus crash Singapore * Queues at VEP application centres in Singapore, Johor Baru after news of enforcement from July 1 * Three weeks' jail each for married couple who smuggled dogs from Malaysia * 12 weeks' jail for school IT support technician who took upskirt videos of teachers in Singapore * Three taken to hospital after 11-vehicle collision outside Chijmes in Singapore * Man charged over bomb threat made on plane leaving Singapore * US tariff, export controls not directed at Singapore, says Rubio in meeting with Vivian * GrabCab to launch in July with 40 new Toyota Prius taxis for a start * Now ready to hit the road, Singaporeans relieved after beating deadline Indonesia * Indonesia allowing nickel industry abuses to go unchecked: Report * Jakarta Police under fire for criminalising student paramedics * Central Java Police arrest hundreds in street crime crackdown * Indonesia rolls out US$1.5bil stimulus package after growth slows * Pressure mounts on Indonesian Vice President Gibran as impeachment process continues Thailand * Paetongtarn: Thailand rejects ICJ authority, urges issue containment * Thai Army denies starting border clash, cites self-defence * Thailand urges bilateral resolution over Cambodia border clash * Malaysian senior citizen killed in road accident in Narathiwat, Thailand * Thailand unveils landmark entertainment complex to boost economy, tourism * Thailand urges talks after Cambodia threatens to take border dispute to world court * Former abbot of Bangkok temple returns from exile to face embezzlement charges * Thai Constitutional Court rejects two petitions involving GT200 and former PM Prayut * Fire breaks out at building under construction in Bangkok * Thailand takes urgent action after Myanmar cargo ship runs aground near Surin Islands, damaging coral reefs, threatening marine life * Thailand and Cambodia to hold joint border meeting on June 14 * White Lotus buzz can't reverse Thailand's tourism decline * Paetongtarn in heated Q&A with press over Thailand–Cambodia border dispute Philippines * Philippines signs deal for 12 fighter jets: South Korea manufacturer * Singapore and Philippines to expand collaboration in renewable energy, sustainability and healthcare * China urges EU to stop 'provoking trouble' in South China Sea dispute * Philippine Vice President Duterte questions impeachment trial under new Congress Vietnam * Vietnamese say no to more kids after two-child limit scrapped * Vietnam sends trade demand reply as US turns up China heat * HCM City launches sixth cashless day programme * Vietnam sends document responding to US trade requests * Two-child policy revoked amid low birth rates Myanmar * Art exhibition celebrates 75 years of China-Myanmar diplomatic ties through brush, ink * Myanmar monsoon creates fertile breeding ground for Asian openbill storks Cambodia * Cambodia holds ground on ICJ resolution of border issue; subject off table for June 14 talks with Thailand * Cambodia's 'Green season', halal offerings target Indonesian tourists Laos * Laos President commends Malaysian Chief Justice's visit to deepen judicial ties * Laos strengthens teacher development to boost education * Laos launches training centre to improve nutrition * Laos continues efforts to prevent dengue spread Brunei * Bruneian man admits to attacking woman's boyfriend * Brunei holds nationwide special prayers for health, well-being * Brunei introduces fact-checking platform against misinformation Aseanplus * Trump slaps new travel ban on 12 countries including Myanmar, partial ban on Laos * Trump, Xi spoke by phone as trade and tech disputes strain ties * Local actress Saidah Kamarudin cancels wedding, claims ex has only RM500 in his bank account * 5.0-magnitude quake affects nearly 6000 in China's Yunnan * Airbnb experiences themed after K-pop boy band Seventeen to be rolled out in major cities * Immigration detains 13 foreigners running illegal homestay business * Amir Hamzah tasked with handling follow-up on Woodlands land acquisition, says Fahmi * Selangor Aero Park unmatched in Asean region for space, says Loke * Pearly-Thinaah silence Istora fans by beating Lanny-Siti for quarters ticket * Bursa Malaysia rises for 2nd straight day on continued bargain hunting * Keluang Man takes flight: Malaysia's iconic superhero finally soars to the silver screen * Karnataka government appoints Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner to probe stampede incident * Four North Koreans crossed maritime border with South, Seoul says * South Korea's new President Lee begins moves to tackle economic 'crisis' * Magnitude 5.3 earthquake strikes northernmost Mongolia * South Korean lawmakers approve special investigations into martial law and Yoon's wife * New Zealand parliament confirms unprecedented lengthy suspension of Indigenous lawmakers * China rolls out major reforms ahead of gaokao or national college entrance exam * Japanese kids say they want to work in a cake shop when they grow up * South Korea's Hanwha offloads Eutelsat stake as Starlink rival seeks new investors * BWF explore two more new scoring styles at world juniors in India * Afghans struggle to mark Aidil Adha amid US sanctions * Fund crunch hits Rohingyas in Bangladesh hard * Mushroom murders: Accused killer says she lied to police * Malaysia remains key area for investments in upstream activities, decarbonisation, energy transition - BMI * Samsung's Galaxy S25 Edge shows the limits of impressively thin phones * Gamers get hold of Nintendo's hotly awaited Switch 2 * Oil slips on US stockpile build, Saudi Arabia price cuts * Annual births fall to another record low in Japan as population emergency deepens * Asian shares creep higher, dollar languishes before ECB * Bursa Malaysia ends morning session in positive territory * Malaysia disappointed over UNSC's failure to secure Gaza ceasefire * China drafts rules for driver assistance systems to boost safety * Pakistan condemns escalating Israeli atrocities against Palestinians * Soon Huat-Shevon, Tang Jie-Ee Wei cruise into Indonesian Open quarter-finals * Hong Kong bolsters top court with first foreign judge in a year * Suzuki Motor halted Swift car production due to China's rare earth curb, Nikkei says * Guinea-Bissau president Embalo departs for Macau after official visit to Malaysia * China is working on an ultra-fast torpedo powered by AI for submarine warfare * New Zealand PM floats privacy laws after staffer accused of filming women * China's first foreign-owned hospital seeks more medical tourists * O&G sector earnings weakness to persist in 2Q * New South Korea President unveils first batch of key nominations including PM, top aides * Eleven dead in stampede at India cricket celebrations * Asian stocks cautious ahead of Japan bond auction * Edit images like a pro with this new mobile app * Former Taiwanese boy band F4 reportedly planning to reunite for concert in 2026 * 'Like a graveyard': South Korea President Lee Jae-myung on the empty presidential office * Japan's ispace counts down to second moon-landing attempt on June 6 * North Korea's Kim vows 'unconditional support' for Russia's war in Ukraine * China issues bounty for hackers it says are linked to Taiwan * Malaysia, Thailand strengthen cross-border disaster preparedness * Gamers line up for Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day * 'I am not bankrupt': TVB star Rosina Lam sets the record straight on bankruptcy rumours * Ringgit opens higher against greenback amid weaker US economic data * Oil settles 1% lower on large builds in fuel stocks * Asia registers Covid-19 spike * Feting 75th ascent anniversary of Mount Annapurna * Fugitive capybara finally caught by zoo * Now you see it, then you don't * About 100 dead cats found in woman's squalid home * 24% US tariff looms for Malaysia * President Lee vows to revive economy * PETRONAS devoted to its Canadian job * EPF weighs RM8bil sale of UK private hospitals * Bursa rebounds to close higher on bargain hunting * Ringgit eases against the greenback * From poverty to presidency
Malaysia Sun
2 hours ago
- Malaysia Sun
Malaysia and China's openness for dialogue strengthens civilizational exchanges
KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Openness for dialogue between Malaysia and China plays a key role in strengthening civilizational exchanges and enhancing people-to-people relations by bridging differences, according to academics and experts at a forum here on Thursday. The Global Civilization Initiative, proposed by China, holds significant theoretical and practical value in promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, building a just and equitable international order, and enhancing mutual understanding, Shao Liang, counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, told the "Youth Responsibility in a Shared Future: Islamic-Confucian Dialogue and New Horizons for Malaysia-China Cooperation" forum. "We are living in a time of tremendous global uncertainty," said Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, president of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, noting that in response to global challenges, there is an urgent need to embrace civilizational dialogue. Majid also called on young people to bravely shoulder the responsibilities of the times, promote the ideals of peace, and commit themselves to building an inclusive and harmonious global future. For his part, Osman Bakar, rector of International Islamic University Malaysia, said that in today's increasingly diverse world, cultural exchange and mutual understanding between Malaysia and China are more important than ever. He stated that through dialogue and cooperation, young people can become bridges that connect different civilizations, resolve differences, and promote shared values. The participating youth representatives generally agreed that young people should contribute to cultural exchange and civilizational dialogue between Malaysia and China.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Arafah sermon calls for unity, rejection of extremism and division
MAKKAH: The haj pilgrimage is a powerful platform for unity and a symbol of universal solidarity that can restore the strength of the Muslim ummah if it is embraced with sincerity and deep understanding. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said as Muslims around the world face increasing division due to narrow-minded ideologies and a fading sense of brotherhood, the spirit of haj must be embraced to rekindle the values of love, mutual respect, and fraternity among the faithful. "If we reflect with open hearts, we will see that haj is a commanding symbol of unity for Muslims worldwide. Look at the millions of people from different races, skin colours, cultures, and languages gathering in one place, facing one qiblah, calling out one name, Allah SWT. "There are no titles, no castes, no worldly pride. All that remains are two pieces of white cloth and hearts humbled before the Creator. Here, Islam abolishes discrimination and upholds true justice, that a person's worth lies not in appearance or wealth but in piety and righteous deeds. "This is the social objective (maqasid) of haj, to unite the hearts of the followers of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Without unity, the ummah will remain weak, marginalised, and lost," he said in the Arafah sermon titled 'The Call of Tawhid and Unity of the Ummah,' delivered in conjunction with Wukuf Day on the plains of Arafah today. Muslims are also urged to embrace the noble values emphasised throughout haj to ensure that the pilgrimage is not only valid but also leaves a profound impact in shaping one's character and personal development. Mohd Na'im also reminded pilgrims to safeguard their safety, belongings, and families to avoid negligence that could jeopardise their entire pilgrimage. "Pilgrims are also reminded to fulfill the rights of fellow human beings by practising tolerance and mutual assistance and to avoid any kind of dispute that may undermine the spiritual essence of haj," he said. He also encouraged pilgrims to frequently seek forgiveness (istighfar) and to let haj be a turning point in their lives, one that leads them back to a state of spiritual purity, deep reflection, and renewed devotion to Allah SWT. Earlier, Mohd Na'im spent time visiting the accommodation tents and mingling with Muassasah pilgrims here.
