TUN MAHATHIRS

PERSPECTIVES ON ISLAM

Tun Mahathirs Profile

Born on 10 July 1925

The fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia
Held the post for 22 years from 1981
to 2003
Malaysia's longest-serving Prime
Minister. His political career spanned
almost 40 years.
Born and raised in Alor Setar, Kedah
Excelled at school and became a
medical doctor.

Active in the United Malays National

Organisation (UMNO) in 1964
He served one term before losing his
seat, subsequently falling out with the
then Prime Minister,Tunku Abdul Rahman
Expelled from UMNO
When Abdul Rahman resigned, reentered UMNO and Parliament (promoted
to the Cabinet)

By 1976,risen to Deputy Prime

Minister
In 1981, was sworn in as Prime
Minister after the resignation of his
predecessor, Tun Hussein Onn
Reference :
1)Morais, J. Victor (1982). Mahathir: A
Profile in Courage. Eastern
Universities Press

Tun Dr Mahathirs
Perspectives on Islam

Muslim Identity
1. Islam is a misunderstood religion

Muslims suffer negative image of being

violent and terrorist

The Western projection of the Muslim

image falls short of the real identity of
Muslims

Outspoken by the West, has not only set

the foundation for the materialization of
the true Muslim identity

2. Weakness of Muslim communities

Bold enough to point out the weaknesses of the Muslim

communities of the world.
Aloof and isolated from others, Non Muslims
Indiscriminate killing
The fact is that we are killing people because of our
anger regardless of who we kill, regardless of the
consequences. Admittedly we are desperate and
outgunned and there is very little else we can do to
defend ourselves against the injustice perpetrated
against us. But should we just lash out indiscriminately,
killing innocent people, including those who sympathize
with us?

Muslims distances themselves from Islam

fundamental
Another finding by Mahathir is that "The
Industrial Revolution was totally missed by
the Muslims
Poverty is Islam
" Some believe that Muslims should not
concentrate on this world as it is not for them:
"Ours are the joys of heaven in the afterlife."

3.The Visionary

Capacity to critically analyze the ideologies

of the West 'and counter such ideologies
have earned him the title of an outspoken
leader.
Always tried to convey the fundamental
teachings of Islam and emphasize the
necessity of a globally united Muslim
community.
Refers to the glorious Islamic past, its
heritage(Abbasid Caliphate)

4.Multi-faceted
Condemned the US-led war on Afghanistan
and Iraq

Called on Muslim countries to embrace

modernity

Opened a global conference (July, 2003) of

Islamic scholars with the aim of countering
misconceptions

References : Muslim Identity in the Speeches

of Mahathir Mohamad by M.S. Haque and
M.H. Khan (2004)

TUN MS LATEST SPEECH

Speech by Tun Dr Mahathir Bin

Mohamad at Kuala Lumpur Summit

2014 at Sri Pacific Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
On Tuesday, 11 November 2014
Civil State Islamic Perspective

CHALLENGES 1

New ideas and challenges often contrary

to the teachings of our religion
React only to materialistic and against the
teachings of Islam. Yet there are some who
seem to embrace anything from the west.
React separately and emotionally, moved
by anger and a desire to hit back and to
take revenge without unity or strategy

CHALLENGES 2

Allowed ourselves to be so divided and weakened that

our capacity to defend ourselves is no longer there.
Instead we are told that if we beseech Allah to save us
than we will be saved. We forget the injunction in the
Quran that Allah s.w.t. will not help us unless we try to
help ourselves first.
New ideas have been added to increase the so-called
rights of man. Downgrading of marriages and
families.Why should marriage be between a man and
a woman only?

DEMOCRACY

Democracy is now almost a new religion. It

challenges all beliefs.
Come the concept of a civil state a state
ruled directly by the people, by everyone
(Arab Spring).
Islam being made used off by some muslim
groups to achieve power

Interpretations of Quran

Break up of the ummah into factions

and sects, so that there is no more
unity among the ummah.
There is nothing wrong with the Quran
but there may be something wrong
with our understanding and
interpretations of its messages.

I not only think but also

look and study things
carefully. When I travel
around, I look at things
carefully, make
comparisons of what I
see. I don't accept things
at face value, you cannot
trust what you hear or
see. Don't jump to
conclusions without
thinking. -Tun M