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Extremism, racial unity among issues debated at TN50 dialogue
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Education, economy, religious institutions, racial unity and religious extremists were the top issues at the 2050 National Transformation Dialogue (TN50) between Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and youths in Nilai, Negri Sembilan, last night.

The dialogue, chaired by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Asyraf Wajdi, started at 8.30pm, with the deputy prime minister answering directly questions from the participants at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (Usim).

Religious extremism and radicalism was raised by singer and missionary Hafiz Hamidun, who expressed fears that the technological sophistication currently could worsen the situation due to misuse.

Meanwhile, another participant, Rahmat Ikhsan Mohd Sofyan, said the Gathering 355 held in Kuala Lumpur last Saturday could create create two groups, namely, religious extremists and liberals.

Commenting on the matter, Zahid said non-verbal communication controlled current social media communication, which represented 87 percent, while the balance 13 percent via conventional media.

"Recruitment by extremists is by non-verbal communications. Currently, of the 157 Malaysians who joined up with extremists on Iraqi and Syrian soil, 37 have been killed. They looked for a shortcut to 'heaven'.

"Most studies find those who joined the groups had no religious education foundation," he said.

Commenting further, Zahid, who is also home minister, said his ministry had rehabilitated 87.5 percent of the individuals caught who were directly involved in extremist groups via deradicalisation programmes which were also shared with other countries.

On empowering Islam by 2050

On the commitment of the government in empowering Islam in the country by 2050, he said numerous efforts had been made by the government, such as maqasid syahriah (objective of Islamic laws), moderation and Islamic banking.

"The government is committed to implement Islam which is holistic not rhetoric," he said.

This, Zahid said, was proven via the financing of 42,681 Quran and personal obligation classes (Kafa), which was financed by the government via the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), 72 secondary religious schools and 332 state religious schools, financed by the federal government.

"This proves the federal government's commitment to help the development and interpretation to boost Islam as a universal religion," he said while expressing hope the 102,000 Quran memorisers would represent the nation in the professional sector in 2050, compared to 1,513 people currently.

To a question from novelist Ain Maisarah, who hoped youths would not be easily influenced by Western culture, Zahid said he was confident that, despite having different modules, local universities would stay committed in upholding the issues of civilisation.

"It cannot be stopped. We must give breath and soul to ensure continuation to the realisation of civilisation. In fact, we want to make the professionals (into) ulama and the ulama, professionals," he said.

Also present were Higher Education Minister Idris Jusoh, Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Mohamad Hasan, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom and USIM vice-chancellor Prof Musa Ahmad.

- Bernama

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