KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 (Bernama) -- Former Prime Minister Tun
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi urged the Muslim minority in Asean countries, including
those in Myanmar, to give priority to education.
He said that the Muslim communities should seek to empower
themselves with education and pursue knowledge which is relevant to their needs
in the 21st century.
Abdullah said this in his keynote address at the
International Forum on Plight of Muslims in Burma in the 21st century: An
Initiative for Solution and the Way Forward, held at the International
Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS), here, Wednesday.
He said that apart from education, the development of youths
and economy of the Muslim communities were also important aspects to be
considered in order to achieve a better future for the respective Muslim
minority.
However, Abdullah, who is patron of IAIS Malaysia, stressed
that in trying to achieve this, they should not sought to violence but instead
adopt peaceful means and work in tandem with the non-Muslim communities.
He also pointed out that the more developed Muslim
communities could also help the less developed ones in order to achieve this
success and to secure their rights in society.
Speakers at the half-day forum, organised by IAIS Malaysia,
included President of the International Movement for a Just World (JUST) Dr
Chandra Muzaffar, while the moderator was Deputy CEO of IAIS Associate
Professor Dr Mohamed Azam Mohamed Adil.
Dr Chandra said that it was true that Myanmar has made some
changes such as parliamentary elections, changes in economy and was now more
open to foreign investment.
"But perhaps these changes will not bring about
fundamental transformation in the Myanmar society," he said adding that
Asean had a responsibility to try to bring about the change.
"We would like to see Asean governments adopt a more
proactive approach to the question of the Rohingyas in Myanmar and of the other
minorities," he added.
He said it was important for Asean to speak up and say
"lets try to resolve this problem, you must resolve the root of the
problem," which is the question of the citizenship and the question of the
nature of the regime in Myanmar.
However, Dr Chandra emphasised that the issue must be
resolved through non-violence and peaceful methods.
Asean (Association of Southeast Nations) comprise Brunei
Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia,
Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam..
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