Zahid: I am loyal to Najib and his Islamic ideas - Malay Mail Online

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi delivering a speech during the closing ceremony of the International Ulama Conference at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, July 28, 2017. — Bernama picKUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reiterated today his loyalty to Datuk Seri Najib Razak and said he will continue to assist the prime minister in promoting moderate Islam.

Zahid, speaking off the cuff before an international congregation of ulama from around the world, said he will work hard to translate the prime minister’s views of Islam in governance.

“I am loyal to Najib,” Zahid said while delivering the closing speech of the International Ulama Conference 2017 at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia here.

“And I believe in his idea of moderation and I will assist him to translate his idea of moderation into the system,” he added.

The assertion was not part of his address but was made in an impromptu reply to one of the international delegates who mistakenly addressed him as the prime minister.

“I am not yet the prime minister. I am only his deputy,” Zahid replied, drawing laughter from the delegates.

The speech was made in the context of the conference’s theme this year — “Islam is The Religion of Peace” — which convened clerics from around the world to discuss problems facing the religion.

Much of the discussion was focused on finding solutions to counter the negative perceptions associated with Islamic terrorism.

Hailing the conference as a major milestone that culminated in the announcement of a RM4.4 million federal contribution to the setting up of a Sufism Centre here, Zahid said clerics worldwide must find methods to combat the growing Islamophobia.

The deputy prime minister said one of the ways to challenge the negative press about Islam was to use social media to promote the Quran.

“We have the moral obligation to correct the poor perception by telling them that Islam is a peaceful religion… and use the messages of peace in the Quran to prove this.

“And I believe the best way is to use social media,” he said.

Zahid also pointed out that the Muslim world must openly disassociate themselves from extremist groups like the Islamic State — an assertion that suggests the claims that some elements within the ulama circle are supportive or sympathetic towards the terrorist group may be true.

Zahid, who is also home minister, then said only through the belief in moderation can Muslims overcome the stigma of extremism.

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