Islamic scholars, thinkers must unite to free themselves from dictatorship - Dr M

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad stressed the need for Islamic scholars and thinkers to unite in an intellectual way in a bid to set their 'political fiqh' thoughts free from the foulness of dictatorship.

The former prime minister on Thursday said the scholars and thinkers should do so to ensure that Islam would continue to be the legislative source of law and Muslims as the foundation of government's legitimacy in the country.

He said this was one of the resolutions of the three-day Kuala Lumpur Summit 2014 which ended Thursday.

Dr Mahathir said the problems and challenges facing Muslims today were caused by dictatorship, oppression and betrayal against the people's aspirations.

"(Therefore), this resolution supports the movement of Muslims who are trying to free themselves from dictatorship...in order to form a fair and guided government," he said after officiating the closing of the Summit.

Among other resolutions reached were the need to conduct more studies to ascertain similarities and differences, so that these difference and diversity can be managed well; to create a website for payroll purposes; to publish the Summit's resolutions in various languages; and to upload and circulate video clips of the Summit through social media.

The conference, themed 'Civil States From Islamic Perspective', was attended by Islamic thinkers from over 14 countries.