By Amar Shah Mohsen
PUTRAJAYA — Selangor will host the Global Ulama Conference on May 7 and May 8, said Unity Government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil.
He said the Cabinet approved a memorandum from the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar today, pertaining to the conference’s organisation.
The Communications Minister said the programme would be held in Petaling Jaya but did not provide further details on the specific venue.
“The conference will be managed by the Muslim World League (MWL), with the collaboration of the Islamic Development Department (Jakim),” he said during a post-Cabinet press conference today.
MWL is an international Islamic non-governmental organisation headquartered in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, comprising members from all Islamic countries.
Among other things, it aims to promote the true message of Islam and its tolerant principles, provide humanitarian aid, extend bridges of dialogue and cooperation with all, engage in positive openness to all cultures and civilisations, and follow the path of centrism and moderation.
Fahmi said the government will provide its full support to the organisation of the conference.
“It is our hope that it will be able to gather a group of ulama (religious scholars) and discuss current issues, including the rise of extremism in the Muslim world,” he said.
The organisation of the forum also comes amid religious tension in the country, exacerbated by statements and actions by irresponsible quarters seeking political mileage.
