MALAYSIA’S pursuit of technological sophistication and economic acceleration must be balanced with spiritual strength and moral clarity, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said last night, calling for the nation’s Madani agenda to remain firmly rooted in values and humanity.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the International Sama’ Hadis Sahih Muslim 2025 gathering at Masjid Putra, in Putrajaya, which drew more than 15,000 attendees, Anwar said development devoid of ethical foundations risks eroding the very character of society.
“We must elevate human dignity by embedding values and ethics throughout the entire framework of education, the economy, technology and governance,” he said, emphasising the need for dignity and moral discernment to guide national progress.
The Prime Minister reiterated that Malaysia Madani is not merely a political slogan but a national framework grounded in knowledge, virtue and human values, even as Malaysia keeps pace with global advancements in artificial intelligence, digital innovation and the energy transition.
“What distinguishes our understanding of Madani? All countries talk about sustainability, and now as nations pursue renewed economic growth, everyone speaks of energy transition, digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI).
The difference in a Madani nation is that its foundation remains rooted in morals and values. We speak of a world racing to achieve rapid and fresh development, yet losing its sense of humanity and moral character,” he said.
Anwar added that Malaysia must equip its citizens with competency in new and emerging fields while ensuring that spiritual resilience and ethical judgment remain intact.
He stressed that strengthening faith, conviction and human values must accompany mastery of the technologies shaping the future.
In that spirit, he highlighted his administration’s efforts to uphold Quranic education across mainstream, religious and pondok schools, alongside its drive to revitalise mosques through expanded hadith studies.
Last year marked the completion of Sahih Bukhari studies, followed this year by the study of Sahih Muslim.
The event—attended by international scholars including India’s Grand Mufti Al-Allamah Sheikh Abu Bakar Ahmad Al-Malibari, Sheikh Dr Ahamed Mamduh of Egypt, Al-Allamah Sheikh Isam As-Sabuie Al-Maliki of Tunisia, and senior scholars from Yemen, Malaysia and Indonesia—reinforced Malaysia’s reputation as a regional hub for Islamic scholarship.
Anwar said their presence reflected recognition of Malaysia’s role in bringing together leading scholars to “hold discussions, deepen mutual understanding, rectify shortcomings and enhance efforts to fulfil the duties and trust of governing this nation.”
He noted that the sustained success of the hadith recitation programme, which attracted at least 2,000 participants daily since its commencement on 19 November, strengthened Malaysia’s mission to champion an inclusive and authoritative understanding of Islam.
Participants attended sessions featuring sanad recitations, references to primary scholarly texts and dialogues between international and local experts, establishing Malaysia as a platform for rigorous and coordinated Islamic scholarship.
Organisers said this year’s gathering further affirmed Malaysia’s position as a catalyst for elevating religious knowledge, preserving unity within the Muslim community and rejecting extremist narratives.
In aligning religious scholarship with national aspirations, the programme also underscored the government’s commitment to positioning Malaysia as a leading centre of Islamic intellect and moral leadership in the region. - November 29, 2025
