July 18, 2012
Speak Up Against Extremism, counsels HRH Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah
By Rozanna Latiff (07-17-12) | news@nst.com.my
MODERATES in Muslim nations and the West must confront extremism arising not only from the religious establishment but also among those who champion policies which can lead to violence.
Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah said yesterday moderates needed to speak up against terrorism and extremism, including against powerful members of the media and governments that supported hardline foreign and security policies that could lead to conflict abroad.
“In this regard, the launching of the Global Movement of Moderates by the prime minister (Datuk Seri Najib Razak) is an important initiative in galvanising and uniting moderate voices of peace among people of all cultures and beliefs.”
He said this at the launch of 9/11 and the Attack on Muslims, a collection of essays by Tan Sri Munir Majid.
Originally published in the New Straits Times in the four years following the Sept 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, the essays depict how the US leadership’s neo-conservative foreign policy was eventually used to declare an open war on Muslims.
It also highlights the suffering of Muslims afterwards without reducing the enormity of the 9/11 attacks or sparing Muslims for failing to contain the roots of terrorism.
Raja Nazrin said the book offered valuable lessons on the dangers of binary or “black-and-white” thinking.”I believe Munir’s aim in writing this book is to build bridges between the Muslim world and the West rather than to destroy them. It is as much about the dangers of anti-West sentiment held by Muslims as it is about anti-Muslim sentiments held by the West.”
He said the misunderstanding between Muslims and the West arose from a failure to communicate effectively.
“Among the distortions in the West are the identification of Islam and Muslims with violence and terrorism, the presumption that Islam is incompatible with democracy and the confusion of the influence of tradition and culture with religion. Muslims also share responsibility. Giving Islamic appellations to militant movements and committing terrorist acts in the name of Islam against unarmed civilians have contributed to (Islam’s) negative image and understanding in the West.”
Meanwhile, Munir, who is visiting senior fellow, Southeast Asia International Affairs Programme at LSE IDEAS, said there was no justification for acts of terror but the cause should be addressed to reduce the incidence. He added US President Barack Obama’s more consultative foreign policy had given some hope as far as Muslims were concerned.
Din Merican: the Malaysian DJ Blogger 
Wise Up Perkasa, Perkida, Biro Tata Negara and other extreme elements including former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir in Malaysian politics. HRH Raja Dr. Nazrin’s counsel must apply to you all. The Prime Minister and his Deputy too must be wary about using race and religions to garner votes from Malays in order to stay in power.
Never put National Unity in jeopardy. Your coalition of moderates must start at home first. This means Mr Prime Minister, you must practise what you preach. We can no longer judge by your words; we want to see action and conviction from you. Don’t be a drifter. Making Malaysia great again requires hard work, honesty and sincerity. –Din Merican
Why do I get the feeling that I’ve heard all this before?
And why do I think that no one pays any attention to what this man says?
And why, pray, that the first reaction one has when HRH opens his royal mouth, is “Oh no! Not him at it again”?
Trying his darnedest to sound intellectual and lofty. When cakap tak serupa bikin would be the most appropriate words to add to his royal regalia.
Must be nice to wallow in such luxurious surroundings. But I just wish the words would match the deeds. And the enormous expense that goes with upkeeping such opulence.
How do you have National Unity if policies and lack of, will only produce Dis Unity.
Din,
It would have been more appropriate if your opening sentence went like this:
“Wise Up UMNO, PM, DPM, Perkasa, Perkida, Biro Tata Negara and other extreme elements including former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir in Malaysian politics.”
Aren’t UMNO, PM and DPM in the same boat with the others?
Sometimes we don;t blame the Non-Muslims and the West to be apprehensive of Muslims who themselves create Distortions and cause deviations from the true teachings of our Beloved Prophet – for that matter, generally it is the Followers of Faiths themselves who have deviated from their original messages that’s causing hate. distrust & confusion in all the contemporary societies of the world today.
On the other hand, i would commend this brilliant young writer Ahmad Fuad Rahmat in the other thread in regard to Faith & Reason, who make exhortations to ponder and then to take responisibilty in regard to Blameworthiness either way by trying to answer in all honesty whether it is not from ” Effect” that’s causing all the Extremisms in the world, or, is it true that Extremism is the ” Cause ” to all the Effects, problems & confusion prevailing under present conditions….?
Raja Nazrin should stop beating around the bush. These people don’t understand innuendos or most probably would toot their nose at Raja Nazrin. Like everything else Charity begins at home. Pimpinan melalui teladan, practice what you preach etc etc.
Don’t preach to the general public. Say your piece to the powers that be that endorses Extremism under the guise of protecting Malay rights. Get them to curb Perkasa and other like organizations, then we can begin to advise other parties and nations.
This Raja fellow look into his own backyard, instead of remeining silent when brain dead Malay extremist Perkasa, NST and the Malay MSM are so bloody extermists and this Raja fellow remains silent. Stop preaching to the world. Preach to you your own kind in your country.
Jangan perbodohkan rakyat dengan kata-kata tak setimpal dengan perbuatan. Alangkah sedihnya gunung di depan mata tak nampak, tapi habuk jauh di seberang laut di perbesarkan.
The problem lies with people practicing Islam or their religion “moderately”. Try practicing the true teachings of their religions and they won’t be so screwed up. I hate this talk of “moderates in Muslim nations”. Islam is about moderation.
There is no such thing as moderate muslim/islam…..only true Islam and Munafiq Islam….. As far as Malaysia Rulers/monarchy is concern they are leaning more to the munafiq side because for 54 years ALL sham, ills, corruption are swept aside asalkan dapat $$$$.
2nd point is Islamic world is becoming Irrelevant since the uprising in Libya and now Syria. The blood is on Islam hands for those who did not respond like Nato did on Libya……say whatever you may….muslim are dying due to your Defender of Islam deferning silence….more so from the Defender of Islam in Malaysia. Sometimes better change and try other religion and divorce yourself from the myth that born Malay = Islam……break free from this Lies, remove it from your head and UNWRITTEN constitution….then perhaps Islam is as good as the days of Saladdin…..meanwhile UMNO + Rulers = Peghina Allah terbesar in Malaysia. Don’t choose to weak things to show your face and concern…like launching books, opening tadika, surau…..etc…..Allah pun ada Mata dan OTAK….ini Amaran!!
HH Raja Muda of Perak should tell those extremists in Perkasa, Perkida, BTN and UMNO up front instead. He should be seen fearless in his preachings for a change.
Wishy-washy preaching of this nature has been going far too long and fallen on deaf ears. It is has reached to a point of being inconsequential
By next week, nobody remembers what Raja Nazrin had said or ever remembered he even made that kind of speech.
Next item of news, please.
I thought his old man did an extreme hatchet job on Perak but not a word from a dutiful son? Talk about crab walking straight eh?
Islam is about moderation.
didi – July 18, 2012 at 11:42 am
Thats been lost didi
Raja Nazrin is saying it to Government leaders as well, albeit in an indirect way. What else do you expect him to do? Be a politician. He is not. He has wisely decided to stay out of politics. He is a the Crown Prince of Perak Darul Ridzuan. Let us be fair to the man.–Din Merican
Islam is about moderation? That’s right. To many Islam is not moderation. It is about moderation. If only all of us practice what we preach then we can do away with the politicians. Kapish?
N to think that both he n his late brother use to lie on our living room carpet watching TV, n now giving these speeches, alamak, we are at the end of Time.
“He is a the Crown Prince of Perak Darul Ridzuan.”
At the rate he’s going he’s going to be the Clown Prince of Perak. He has to really be careful and cautious when making speeches at book launching and that sort. He’s already lowering his royal value by officiating a book by Munir Majid the man that Chaired MAS into debt while buying million ringgit paintings and commuting between London and Kuala Lumpur all the while sipping champagne at the expense of other full fare paying passengers.
Raja Nazrin was held in high esteem but after the Perak fiasco, the Perak royal family is now held in disgust for rejecting a legitimately elected governement for one led by a pirate.
What are moderate Muslims anyway? Practice Islam moderately? Pick and choose which teachings of Islam suit you? Because that would explain a lot why the powers that be in Malaysia are shameless in abusing their powers, practicing corruption, being racist etc2. Global Movement of Moderates. What a load of bull.
Anyway, you don’t hear people say moderate Christians so why moderate Muslims? There are no Christian extremists?
I am in agreement with most of the comments posted above. i used to respect the royalty, in particular the Perak House although I am a Sabahan. But my affection turned to distrust after the Perak Debacle.
It is sad, they have the chances to put things right in the name of justice and humanity but they chose to side with politicians of dubious characters.
Respect, as they say, is earned.
After what happened in the Silver state government, I think it is extremely pretentious for some people to preach that people should not behave badly.
How do you expect other people to even want to hear these people speak much less preach? There is no longer any credibility, regardless of whatever esteem title one carries.
Respect, trust and credibility is earned. It doesn’t come with any esteem title bestow by another fellow person.
Best keep quiet and not preach. People will forget with time.
I pity this royal. Cakap tak serupa bikin. He is embarassing himself. The people have awaken and they know a hypocrite when they see one
It will be interesting to find out HRH’s definition of ‘extremism’. How will he classify Perak mufti Harussani ? Or Ridhuan Tee ? Or Perkasa? and the list goes on.