Insufficient information on Islam creates negative views: DPM

IPOH: Insufficient information on true Islamic teachings has led people to have negatively skewed opinions about the religion and Muslims, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said Islam sought to protect the rights of every individual in society and promoted love, tolerance, equality, justice, as well as peace in legislation, practice and doctrine.
"If you notice, when Muslims meet each other, they will greet Assalamualaikum and Walaikumussalam, which mean peace be upon you and peace be upon you too.
"This shows that the idea of peace is deeply rooted in the daily life of Muslims," he said in his speech when closing the Fourth World Conference on Islamic Thought and Civilisation (WCIT 2017), here, today.
Themed "Global Peace", the two-day conference from yesterday, was organised by Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah, with the participants coming from more than 15 countries.
"In order to understand what Islam teaches about peace, it is very important to understand the concept of jihad as mentioned in the Quran," the deputy prime minister said.
"Jihad doesn't refer to a holy war as is commonly perceived but it means to struggle or strive.
"Intentionally harming an innocent person, whether Muslim or non-Muslim is highly condemned in Islam. It is not part of jihad or anything close to that as it is sometimes made out to be.
"What the terrorist organisations did and are doing now are completely against the concept of jihad in Islam," he added.
Ahmad Zahid said the government had taken various measures to curb terrorism, one of which was denying them the funds as well as financial assistance from anyone.
"We are also setting up the King Salman Centre for International Peace in Putrajaya, aimed at deflecting the influence of extremism and terrorist activities, as well as promoting universal peace.
"Besides the military aspect, the centre will also focus on academic elements with the main role of combating terrorist threats and the spread of extremist and terrorist propaganda and ideologies," he said.
Ahmad Zahid said global peace is not merely a state of non-violence or absence of wars, but also about food for all, education, jobs, houses and so on.
"It is an ideal state of happiness, freedom and peace within and among all people and nations," he added. — Bernama