Malaysia urges Islamic world to draw lessons from Gaza tragedy, shape future of humanity, says religious affairs minister

TASHKENT, July 8 — Malaysia has urged the Muslim world to respond to the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza by reaffirming the universal principles of justice, compassion, and human dignity.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Zulkifli Hasan said the immense suffering endured by civilians in Gaza had not only shocked the conscience of humanity but also raised serious questions over the consistent application of international law and justice.

The tragedy has also signalled for a renewal of the Islamic civilisation to one that is capable of contributing meaningfully to global peace and ethical leadership, he said, during a plenary session at the International Islamic Civilisation Forum in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

He said in the face of rapid geopolitical, technological, and environmental changes, the Muslim world should resist defining itself merely in reaction to external developments.

The Muslim world must look beyond its glorious past, Zulkifli said.

“The question before us is therefore not whether Islamic civilisation once attained greatness. History has already answered that question.

“The more pressing question before us today is this: what role should Islamic civilisation play in shaping the future of humanity?” he said, during the session titled Religious and Educational Reforms in New Uzbekistan: Innovative Ideas and Strategic Directions of the Third Renaissance.

He said today’s world longs for not only technological advancement and economic prosperity, but also moral clarity, principled leadership, and enduring values, all of which Islamic civilisation offers.

The greatness of the Islamic civilisation, he said, lay not just in its magnificent architecture and remarkable scientific discoveries, but also in its ability to cultivate just societies, produce ethical leaders, honour the dignity of every human being, and advance knowledge as an act of service to Allah and to humanity.

Zulkifli stressed that genuine civilisational renewal require intellectual renewal, moral conviction, and collective responsibility based on the enduring principles of ‘ilm (knowledge), ‘adl (justice), rahmah (compassion), wasatiyyah (moderation), and hikmah (wisdom).

He said the renaissance sought by the Muslim world must restore ethics to governance, wisdom to knowledge, and purpose to development. It must be driven by the principles of justice, amanah (trustworthiness), shura (consultation), and hisbah (accountability) which form the bedrock of good governance.

Historically, the Islamic civilisation was known for its openness, with Muslim scholars acquiring knowledge from Greece, Persia, India, and China. Zulkifli proposed for today’s Muslim societies to become active partners in shaping ethical frameworks for artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and quantum computing to ensure innovation always serves humanity and safeguards human dignity.

Zulkifli also called for greater environmental stewardship, saying Islam’s concept of mankind as khalifah, or steward of the Earth, obliges humanity to pursue balanced, responsible, and sustainable development.

The minister cautioned against seeing an Islamic civilisation revival as a civilisational rivalry, but rather as an opportunity to contribute to humanity through dialogue, partnership, and mutual respect. He said while Malaysia is committed to building alliance with Muslim nations, it does so while engaging constructively with partners from all civilisations to address common global challenges.

On bilateral ties between Malaysia and Uzbekistan, Zulkifli said the two nations share a common civilisational heritage, with Uzbekistan’s rich legacy in Islamic scholarship complementing Malaysia’s experience in Islamic governance, Islamic finance, and peaceful multicultural coexistence.

He said both countries could serve as a bridge between Central Asia and Southeast Asia in advancing knowledge, ethical innovation, and sustainable development for the benefit of the wider Muslim world. — Bernama