Seminars. Conferences. Addresses Towards the Twenty .. First Century: Islam and Vision 2020 15 Muha"am 1413 I 3 July 1992 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad I would like to thank the organizers for inviting me to the joint launching of the Institute of Islamic Understanding, Malaysia, and the opening ceremony of this congress. The idea of the Institute of Islamic Understanding, Malaysia, was first suggested because of the confusion among Muslims and non-Muslims regarding Islam. This discord has led to misunderstanding and animosity not only between Muslims and non-Muslims but among Muslims them­ selves. Whether we like it or not, many non-Muslims consider Islam a religion that is closely related to backwardness, poverty, and weakness. Of late, some Muslims have also been closely associated with violence and irrationality-an act or thought which is without principles. We are deeply disappointed with such incorrect views. But the truth is that Muslims and Islamic nations are far behind, weak, and dependent on others for their various needs. At the same time, Muslims themselves find cooperation and unity difficult. They allow themselves to be used as tools and to serve the interests of others. They are unable and often Wl­ willing to help each other, whlch leads to disunity, animosity, dis­ agreement. The administration of Islamic countries is usually weak and backward, chaotic and disorderly. No Muslim country can be considered a major power worthy of international respect. Rather, all are considered developing countries, even though some have enonnous wealth. The main reason for this is that they lack technology and sophistication. This was not always true, for in the past Islam and MusUms enjoyed a prolonged period of success and prosperity, respect and esteem. After the death of the Prophet, Muslims spread Islam from Spain to China. Through their missionary activities, military might, and efficient rule, they erected the largest empire in world history. Islamic countries evolved and were famous for their high and sophisticated civilization. They produced experts in administration, development, agriculture, industry, engineering, defense, science, mathematics, shipping, navigation, medicine, and other Dato' Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad is the prime minister of Malaysia. 428 The American Journal of Islatnic Social Sciences 1U:3 fields of knowledge. Institutes of higher leaming, complete with libraries and laboratories, were found from Spain to the Middle East. Knowledge from earlier civilizations, such as classical Gt.eece and Rome, was studied, and new findings added on and documented in a systematic way. After the Turkish tribes of western and central Asia accepted Islam, Islam expanded into eastern Europe. The new territories were rapidly d e veloped, complete with toads, water supplies, buildings, walls and towers, shopping centers, lodging houses, and other facilities found in advanced lands. Then one by one, these Islamic territories fell into the hands of the Europeans. Spain was retaken by the Spanish, eastern Europe by the races there, and Turkish and Persian central A i a by Russia. Eventually all IS- lamic territories, except Turkey and the deserts surmunding Makkah and Madinah, were ruled by non-Muslims. How did such a strong and mighty power become so weak that it could be overrun by others? What was the difference between the early Muslims and those who came later? We ate confident that the early Muslims possessed a pute Islamic spirit and faith, as the teachings of the Prophet were still fresh and clear in their hearts and minds. There was no confusion over Islamic teachings, for the interpreters of Islamic law did not engage in polemics. Islam was simple and did not b d e n its followers or hamper their advancement. As they were not yet influenced by the butdens of secular matters and development, they strove to master knowledge and sought worldly happi- ness. The result was a balanced civilization that met the needs of this world and those of the hereafter. The success of Muslims in all fields of knowledge, in addition to their efficiency and development, were so out- standing that they overshadowed the followers of other religions. Since Muslims were efficient, knowledgeable, and able to establish strong nations, they and their religion were respected. While Muslims ac- cepted the claims of Islam as true, non-Muslims did not. What they re- spected was that Mmlim nations were more advanced, stronger, and more ef-fieient than they were. NowMuslims believed in Islam’s greatness on the basis of Muslim military success, not that a martyr had found success. Today, some Muslims claim that it is not important whether others respect Muslims and Islam. What is important is one’s faith and the here- after. For those sheltered from extemal presnues, this is easily acceptable. However, them are Muslims who are suppressed and many more who ate prevented from pmcticing their religion, and there is no Islamic nation able to provide protection or aid. It is important that non-Muslims v t Islam, for this will ensure that suppression will not OCCUT, and that Mus- lims will not lose hope ot become alienated from their religion. Regatd- less of people’s respect or lack of respect towads Islam, the fact remains that no one likes his/her religion to be belittled and disrespected. Seminars, Conferences, Addresses 429 If at one time Islam could create an outstanding civilization, can it do so again? Thase who are rational are confident that such a task is not im- possible, although it will take a great deal of time and effort. However, no target can be met if no attempt is made to reach it. Everything begins with the first step. Although each Muslim wants to revive the golden age of Islam, there is one problem: how can this be achieved? If we continue our present practices, and if we do not strive towatds that direction, suc- cess will not come easily. On the contrary, the% is a stmng chance that we will be left far behind. The first step is to determine our targets. What do we mean by suc- cess and prosperity? Even though there rn many countries that are clas- sified as developed, we know that their intellectual and physical success has been accompanied by moral decadence. Sureiy this is not a good ex- ample of the success and prosperity that we seek. We must seek a balance with developed nations as regads obtaining knowledge, efficiency in sci- ence and technology, inventions, medicine, administration, the social sci- ences, economics, politics, and other fields that will make us strong and able to defend ourselves. We must seek this balance without subjecting ourselves to moral decadence or compromising our religious beliefs. Efficient Islamic rule is essential for success and development. Duting the time of the Islamic empire, governments were clearly effective and fair. Nan-Muslim citizens accepted Islamic rule. For example, when Jews were oppressed by Christiam in Europe, they took 6 g e in Islamic lands, for they knew that they would receive justice instead of pogroms. Hence the art of administtation has to be studied 90 that Islamic na- tions will be ruled fairly and effectively. Justice for all should be the norm undet Islamic rule. An Islamic administration must ensure that its nation achieves rapid development so that it can compete with the de- veloped world Nevertheless, efforts to retain the moral stsmdards and high values demanded by Islam EIIE not to be neglected. The cultme and civilization of Islamic countries must be balanced b e e n spiritual attain- ment and material development. Every action must be done with this in mind. The present world cannot be ignored, just as spiritual needs cannot be ignod. Both must be given equal importance. Efforts to revive the golden age of Islam should be considered a noble task. Its reward is the successful implementation of this desire. If, in the pmcess, one receives something in return, it is only coincidental and not the end itself. In fact, if Islamic nations are developed others will share this success. To Teach this goal, research must be done on Islam, its history and civilizatiuny as well as on the nxsons for its past successes. Such research must not be influenced by sentimat and bias. Facts must be accepted and 430 The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences 103 fiction rejected. Nothing is gained by claiming that Muslims today appear weak and unsuccesful when they 8te actually strong and successful. Likewise, nothing is gained by claiming that even though othem may a p peat stmg and suwessful, they ate actually weak and backwatd. Self- deception has no place in scientific tesearch. Only thtough sincere te- search and followed by action based on solid facts can we do something to revive the golden age of Islam. It is my sinwte hope that this institute will play a major tole in this task. Towards this end, mote research needs to be undertaken on the dif- fering interpretations that confuse and weaken Muslims. Muslim history needs to be fully undetstood so that we can seek valuable lessons. Re searchers at the institute must have open minds and the coutage to ques- tion orthodox views, for what must be maintained at all times is the truth of Islam as taught by the Prophet. Teachings based on interpretation and cteated by those who came later ate not equal to the teachings of the Pro- phet. As such, they can be commented upon, reseatched thoroughly, and then dtopped if found to contradict the Prophet and the w a n . Such an undertaking is not easy. Strong opposition will come from those who believe that what they teach is cottect and above question Any doubts raised about their beliefs will be considered contradictory to the principles they promote. That is why some people quickly dismiss new scientific findings. That the world is round like a ball, that the sky and the stars ate futther than they estimate, that human beings could Teach the moon wete all rejected at first but later accepted. Such accep- tance does not deny the rightful teachings of Islam. These facts only deny the interpretations and understanding of Islam by ptevious scholars. Many more changes in opinions may have to be made. Traditional in- tetpretations may no longer be relevant. Many things that are now con- sidered strange and impossible may become common realities. But Islam will always be relevant and precise, for it is never wtong; only those who misinterpret it ate. As such, the Institute of Islamic Understanding, Ma- laysia, should not feat the opposition it may face once it discovers truth as a result of its studies and tesesvch an Islam, its practices and beliefs. As long as it pursues truth in order to develop the religion and the faith, as well as its peoples and countries, Islam will not be undermined. The theme of this congress is very pertinent. Islamic nations and Muslims should prepare to face the twenty-first centuty. In preparation for this, Malaysia has a vision that it hopes to achieve by the year 2020: to be a fully developed nation. This does not mean material development that disregards spirituality, but a nation developed in terms of knowledge, efficiency, and affluence while tetaining the moral values and religious teachings of Islam. Seminars, Conferences, Addresses 431 Unfortunately there are some who emphasize only the hereafter. I would like to state that the government and the Islamic community in Malaysia have never disregarded the hereafter. But the hereafter must be balanced with the present world, as those who concentrate on the here­ after depend on the effort of others for their happiness in this world. I hope that the first congress of this institute will yield fruitfuJ thoughts that will eradicate the suspicion and misunderstanding of those who try to obstruct the advancement of Muslims and Islamic countries. I sincerely hope and pray that the institute and its first congress will create a new era towards the golden days of Islam. It is with great plea­ sure that I officially launch this institute and declare this congress open.