Militancy threat must be addressed through Wasatiyyah concept, says Hishamuddin

KUALA LUMPUR: Moderation and tolerance is the way forward to combat the growing global threat of religious extremism and militancy, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (pix).
He said that moderation or "Wasatiyyah" was not a new concept that enforces the practice of Islam as a religion of peace and impartiality as opposed to extremism, prejudice and intolerance.
"Those who exploit their own interpretation of the religion for the benefit of their own aims to terrorise and manipulate the vulnerable have strayed from the true path.
"I have also insisted that we can no longer stand idle and must distinguish their (Daesh) heinous understanding of Islam," he said in his speech at the launch of the first Asean Wasatiyyah Conference.
The conference themed "Wasatiyyah: Unity of Ummah – Countering the Threat of Militancy Extremism/Terrorism" was jointly organised
by the Armed Forces and the Wasatiyyah Institute Malaysia.
He added that three key groups – educators, the media and civil society – played a key role in determining the success and failure of the "Wasatiyyah" agenda to counter the threat of extremism.
The two-day conference which ends today was attended by over 200 military officers from Asean countries.