“Takfiri Extremists & Creating Divisions in the Muslim World” Seminar to Be Held in Malaysia

Continuing its research and scholarly activities along with scientific enlightenment, the Asia West East Center (Asia We) & Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organization (MAPIM) are going to hold a one-day seminar on ‘the role of the extremist and Takfiri groups in creating divisions in the Muslim world and the mission of the Islam intellectuals and scholars in the present day’ in collaboration with Sekretariat Himpunan Ulama Asia (Shura) & Middle East Research Group University of Malaya.

Today, the Islamic extremists and Takfiris are one of the most important challenges of the Muslim world. Providing a dogmatic and rejected reading of Islam and considering their own reading as the only correct one, they reject the other sects of Islam by violence from the circle of Islam.

Given the new ideas in the field of the international relations which attach particular status and function to religion and the qualitative and content categories such as identity and culture, the harmful effects of Takfiri groups in the international arena for the Muslim world can be seen in the decline of the power in the world and the creation of a security challenge for the Muslim world which undermines the security of the Muslim regions.

In addition, although the new conditions in the international arena lead to the non-governmental actions such as the Muslim Ummah; the divergent nature of Takfiri groups, on the one hand, causes a decline in the international action and, on the other hand, undermines the idea of the Muslim Ummah.

Based on the current situation, the role of the Islamic enlighteners and scholars of Islam to enlighten the genuine Islam, prevent further deviations and divisions, and create a ground for unity among the Muslim Ummah is much prominent and necessary.

Continuing its research and scholarly activities along with scientific enlightenment, the Asia West East Center (Asia We) & Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organization (MAPIM) are going to hold a one-day seminar on ‘the role of the extremist and Takfiri groups in creating divisions in the Muslim world and the mission of the Islam intellectuals and scholars in the present day’ in collaboration with Sekretariat Himpunan Ulama Asia (Shura) & Middle East Research Group University of Malaya.

Date and Time

This one-day seminar will try to answer these two questions by inviting Malay and regional thinkers and media activists:

How do Takfiri and extremist groups affect the unity of the Muslim world?

What is the negative and destructive role of the Takfiri and extremist groups in the unity of the Muslim world at the international level?

And finally, examining the origins of the Takfiri groups and their supporters, the meeting will answer a fundamental question regarding the role of the global powers in the development and progress of the Islamic Takfiri and extremist thoughts.

Opening Remark By

Yang Berhormat

Dato Dr. Mujahid Yusof Rawa, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs

Guest Speakers

Prof Syed Farid Alatas, National university Singapore

Ustaz Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid, Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organization (MAPIM)

Prof. Dato Mohamad Abu Bakar, Former Head of the Department of International and Strategic Studies, University of Malaya

Ustaz Abdul Ghani Samsudin, Sekretariat Himpunan Ulama Asia (Shura Malaysia)

Prof Dr. Ruhanas Binti Harun, National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM)

Prof Dr. Kamaruzaman Bin Yusoff, University of technology Malaysia (UTM)

Moderator:

Associate Prof Dr. Mohd Roslan Mohd Nor, Middle East Research Group University Malaya

Tentative Program

0930-0940 Guest arrival

0940-0945 Moderator: Associate Prof Dr. Mohd Roslan Mohd Nor, Middle East Research Group University Malaya

0945-1000: Welcoming speech by Professor. Dr .Syed Farid Alatas – President of ASIA WE

Ustaz Cikgu Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid, President of Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organization (MAPIM)

1000 – 1030: Opening remark by Yang Berhormat Dato Dr. Mujahid Yusof Rawa, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs

1030 – 1100: Speaker I: Dato’ Prof Dr Mohamad Bin Abu Bakar, Former Head of the Department of International and Strategic Studies, University of Malaya

1100 – 1115: Q&A

1115 – 1145: Speaker II: Ustaz Abdul Ghani Shamsudin, Director of Sekretariat Himpunan Ulama Asia (Shura Malaysia)

1145 –1200 Q&A

1200- 1230 Speaker III: Professor Dr. Syed Farid Alatas,, National university Singapore

1230 –1245 Q&A

1245 – 1315: Speaker IV:Ustaz Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid, President of Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organization (MAPIM)

1315 –1330 Q&A

1330 – 1430 Prayer and Lunch

1430 – 1500: Speaker V: Professor Dr. Ruhanas Harun, National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM)

1500 –1515 Q&A

1515- 1545 Speaker VI: Profesor Dr. Kamaruzaman Bin Yusoff,, University of technology Malaysia (UTM)

1545 –1600 Q&A

16:00-1615 Tea Break – Adjourned