PM Najib calls for new solutions to address extremism, refugee crisis

In a speech delivered at the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Najib condemned the so-called ‘Islamic State’ and called for the world to unite in taking decisive action.

Noting that IS attempted to justify its actions in the name of Islam, the Prime Minister made clear that the terror perpetrated by IS was contrary to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and a perversion of the holy religion:

“The so-called Islamic State knows nothing of Islam’s noble ideals, of its compassion, or of the solemn duty to care for and learn about our fellow man. They are violating the Divine will. They are desecrating the name of our religion through their self-proclaimed caliphate – to which no true Muslim will pledge. This is the message we must spread, to Muslims and non-Muslims. And I call on the Ummah to rise with one voice, and let the world ring when we say to IS: You do not represent us.”

Saying that it was vital for Muslims to explain how IS deviates from the path of authentic Islam, and that a genuine Islamic State was one that defended all its citizens, irrespective of race and religion, the Prime Minister announced that the Malaysian government had helped develop an important body of scholarship to address this issue:

“An international group of Sunni and Shia scholars representing a cross-section of the global Muslim community was convened in Kuala Lumpur. Its mission was to define an Islamic State, based on the continuity of Islamic religious thought through the past 14 centuries.”

The scholars concluded that:

“It is nothing like the entity in Syria and Iraq that usurps that name. The scholars unanimously emphasized that… it must be based on the objectives of Shariah, or Maqasid Shariah, which is to protect and enhance life, religion, intellect, property, family and dignity. An Islamic State must defend the different peoples under its rule, and preserve their religions, languages and historic sites – because God commands us: “Indeed, we have made you nations and tribes, that ye may know one another.”

The Prime Minister acknowledged that Malaysia itself has security challenges, and announced various measures that have been taken to prevent terrorist attacks in the country, including the arrest of over one hundred suspected of links to IS. While praising the Malaysian security forces for the strong action they have taken, the Prime Minister called for greater cooperation amongst nation states – and their militaries and intelligence services – to combat this threat:

“We have identified 39 Malaysians who have travelled to join IS. And we have arrested over 100 of our citizens suspected of links to IS. These threats are real. There are people who want to bring terror to our streets. We will not stand for it, neither will they succeed… But we must strive harder to combat this threat together. Militaries and intelligence services need to share information, and countries need to collaborate more, daring to pre-emptively arrest as necessary.”

Highlighting the refugee crisis that has resulted from recent violence in the Middle East, the Prime Minister called on the Muslim world to do more to help the plight of those fleeing countries such as Syria, and committed Malaysia to doing its share. Specifically, the Prime Minister announced that Malaysia would accept a further 3000 Syrian migrants over the next three years, in addition to the hundreds of thousands of irregular migrants that have already taken refuge in the country.

“Over the years, [Malaysia has taken] many people fleeing war, starvation and persecution. We currently have hundreds of thousands of irregular migrants, and we took in more earlier this year when there was a dire humanitarian situation in the Andaman Sea. I am pleased to announce today that, to help alleviate the current refugee crisis, Malaysia will do its share, and open our doors to a further 3,000 Syrian migrants over the next three years.”

In closing, the Prime Minister called for all people, regardless of their race or faith, to put themselves in the place of those desperate migrants who have been forced to flee their homes – and to take action to help them:

“It is only when we transcend the silos of race and faith; Only when we look at images of desperate migrants, the victims of extremists, and those whose lives are degraded by hunger and poverty – and see not strangers, but our brothers and sisters; And it is only when we see that dreadful picture of three year old Alan Kurdi washed ashore – and recognise our own children in that tragic boy’s innocent face – that we will act as our better selves. People around the world cry out for our help. We cannot – we must not – pass on by.”