The Plural Society of Malaysia

Islam Hadhari Ethnic Relation13

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CHAPTER:

13

RKUD 3030 METHODS OF DAWAH

At a glance
2
Introduction
The Plural Society of Malaysia
Islam Hadhari: Historical Background
Definition of Islam Hadhari
Ten Main Principles of Islam Hadhari based on Society
The Significance of the First Five Principles for the benefit of non-Muslim

Malaysians
The Main Objectives of Islam Hadhari
Is Moderation a Feature of Islam Hadhari?
Critics on Islam Hadhari
Conclusion

Introduction
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Malaysia is made up of eleven states in peninsular (West) Malaysia

and other two states of Sabah and Sarawak in Esat.

Malaysia attained independence from the British in 1957 and

Singapore separated from the federation in 1965 creating the

Malaysian state in its current form.
As one of the tiger economies, it is rapidly developing, planning to

be fully developed by 2020.

Malaysia is a Muslim majority country and its constitution provides

for Islam as the religion of the Federation. It protects the right of all
Malaysians to practice their religion in peace and harmony.

The Plural Society of Malaysia

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Malaysia has a population of roughly 27 million people

(Department of Statistics Malaysia 2008) and is home to a multicultural, multi-religious and multi-ethnic society.

Malay and other indigenous people, who are defined as

bumiputera1, literally princes of the earth, comprise 65.1% of

the population.
The second major ethnic group are people of Chinese origin,

who comprise 26%, followed by people of Indian origin,

making up 7.7% (Department of Statistics Malaysia 2000, 2004).

Cont
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There are a number of Indonesians, Thai, Filipinos,

Eurasians and other ethnic groups. Each ethnic group

has brought with it its own language and culture, and
adherence to different religions.
Ethnic groups are also divided along religious lines with

most Malays being Muslim, most Indians being Hindus

and the Chinese mainly Buddhists with a rapidly
increasing Christian minority.

Cont
6

The rising Christianity can be brought about Chinese,

Indians and other minority communities converting to this

religion.
Christianity has been overtaken Hinduism as the third-

largest religion professed by the peoples of Malaysia (Saw

Swee-Hock. Malaysia: Recent Trends & Challenge, 2006. Pp.19-20)

Islam Hadhari : Historical Background

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The slogan of Islam Hadhari (civilization or progressive

Islam) was publicized nation-wide for the first time on the

Malaysian political sphere in 2004 by Dato Seri Abdullah
Ahmad Badawi (then & 5th Prime Minister of Malaysia (Kamal
Hassan, 2011).

It seemed to create an alternative model to Western modernity

and multiculturalism. It was proclaimed as progressive and

forward-looking.
Since then the expression has been widely propagated by

government leaders and agencies, but the use of the word

hadahri as an adjective to the word Islam has caused some
confusion and controversy among Muslims in this country.

Cont
8

It

was hailed as a novel form of Malaysian Islamic

multiculturalism by some as a new version of Islam and
ignored by many as a government especially UMNOs version
of Islam.
It is explained in official statements that the Islam Hadhari
is not a name of a new Islam or an attempt to introduce a
new religion or Mazhab as alleged by its opponent. (Kamal
Hassan, 2011)
Islam Hadhari theoretically places within Malaysian contexts
to show what possibilities it generated and how it can be best
appraised today .
It is a broad philosophy designed after 9/11 environment for
Muslim nations counter to anti-extremist propaganda by the
West.

Definition of Islam Hadhari

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The

definition of Islam Hadhari given by the

Development of Malaysias Islamic Progress (JAKIM) as:
A comprehensive development of man, society and
Malaysian nation based on the perspective of Islamic
Civilization. (Kamal Hassan, 2011)

According to Badawi, Islam Hadhari, or civilization and

comprehensive Islam, is not an inclusive concept as it

also emphasizes the importance of progresswith an
Islamic perspectivein the economic, social, and
political fields.

Cont
10

Islam

Hadhari emphasizes the need for balanced

development, which covers both physical and spiritual
development. Hence, Badawi proposes a holistic
development approach for Malaysia.

This means a shift in development approach from a

secular paradigm to a Tawheed paradigm, which

emphasizes developing a thinking society, social harmony,
and economic progress.

Cont
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To Badawi, it is important for the Malay people to understand

that the Islam Hadhari approach was in line with what

Islamic legal scholars in the past described as the higher
objectives of Divine Law (Maqasid al-Shariah). (Kamal Hassan,
2011)

Islam Hadhari is an effort to bring the Ummah (nation) back to

basics, back to the fundamentals, as prescribed in the Quran and

the Hadith, that form the foundation of Islamic civilization. If
Islam Hadhari is interpreted sincerely and understood clearly, it
will not cause Muslims to deviate from the true path.

Ten Main Principles of Islam Hadhari

based on Society
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1. Faith and piety in Allah Most Gracious

2. A just and trustworthy government
3. A free and independent people
4. Mastery of knowledge
5. Balanced and comprehensive economic development
6. A good quality of life
7. Protection of the rights of minority groups and women
8. Cultural and moral integrity
9. Protection of the environment
10. Strong defenses

The Significance of the First Five

Principles
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The significance of the First Five Principles for

the benefit of non-Muslim Malaysians who

would like to better understand what those
principles mean.
1. Faith and piety in Allah Most Gracious
2. A just and trustworthy government
3. A free and independent people
4. Mastery of knowledge
5. Balanced and comprehensive economic development

Cont
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Therefore,

it is important for the non-Muslim to

understand the concept of Islam Hadhari. If they failed to

do, Muslim should publicize the principles of Islam
Hadhari as it is universal and relevant not only for Muslim
but also for non-Muslim as well.
It is claimed that this approach, emphasizing good

governance, will benefit Muslim and non-Muslim society in

Malaysia.

Cont
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The idea of Islam Hadhari strongly supports the notion of Islamic

modernist model suggested by focusing on alignment between

Islam, modernity and local culture.

With an increasing degree of internationalization in socio-culture,

religious and economics context, this approach may improve the

image of Islam in the eyes of not only Malaysian society but also
society more generally. (Jawad Sayed & Mustafa (Ed.), 2010)

The main objectives of Islam Hadhari

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1. Restoring moderation and embracing the mainstream, which will

help strengthen both the people and the state.

2. Valuing good character, which should be central to the society in

order to help it become a role model for both the Ummah and
humanity as a whole.
3. Adopting seriousness and accountability in dealing with society's

main undertakings.
4. Building all social relations upon trust and good morals.

Cont
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5. Respecting law and order.

6. Cherishing unity, cooperation, and solidarity.
7. Implementing genuine Islamic teachings and realizing the

objectives of the Shariah (Islamic law)

8. Empowering the state to be in a leading position, not feeble

and weak-willed.

Is Moderation a Feature of Islam

Hadhari?
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Prof. Dr. Abdullah Md. Zin, says, Wasatiyyah, or a balanced life,

would be a more precise way to describe Islam Hadhari.

Moderation, on the other hand, could imply caution to the point of
neglecting traditions.
Islamic scholars tend to shy away from using the word moderate

because it can be manipulated and exploited by external influences.

In the same way, scholars are cautious about the word modern
which they associate with Western civilization.
The word progressive could also be used to define Islam Hadhari

but Wasatiyyah is preferable.

Criticism on Islam Hadhari

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There are some criticism towards the concept of Islam Hadhari

from the both Muslim and non-Muslim critics.

1. Islam Hadhari is considered to be politically levelheaded strategy

to invalidate the attraction of PAS Islam by Islamizing UMNO

especially among the Malay peasants and young professionals .
2. The word Islam Hadhari itself created a confusion since the

people thought that it might lead to another new divergence, or a

new sect created by UMNO. (Mohd Sani, 2011)

Cont
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3. The content of Islam Hadhari seems to be heavy on rhetoric

and light on meaning. (Chong, 2006)

4. It is argued that Islam Hadhari is critically unexplained and

unelaborated. It remains indirectly underdeveloped and

intellectually ruin regardless of the great official investment in
seminars, prime ministerial lectures worldwide and ensuing
books on the subject. (Kessler, 2008)
The concept of Islam Hadhari basically a repacking of old ideas
especially from Mahathirs Penerepan Nilai-nilai Islam
(Inculcation of Islamic Values) and Anwars Masyarakat
Madani (Civil Society). (Kamila, 2006)

5.

Cont
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6. Islam Hadhari

is not a proper concept, even though it has

developed its own good values and principles to the society but
many Malaysia are confused and wrangle with the concept.

7. To remove the confusion, the word Islam should change to

the others word like Pemikiran Hadhari (Hadhari Thought) or

Gerakan Hadhari (Hadhari Movement), otherwise, the word
Islam can create misunderstanding.
8. As a result, Islam Hadhari can not be applied when the
concept and principles are not understood by the people. It is like
the brand with no product. (Personal opinion of the former Mufti of
Perlis)

Conclusion
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The criticism on the theory of Islam Hadhari is also

correlated to the political agenda since some Malaysian

identify Islam Hadhari is to Islamize UMNO and their
peasants.
The critics among Muslims and non-Muslims argue that

the expression of Islam Hadhari is uncalled because it was

never been used in Islamic religious tradition or literature.

Cont
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However, some Muslim scholars and intellectuals, who are

non-partisans, believe that the platform of Islam Hadhari

or civilisational approach has a very wide coverage and
implications. It includes both the spiritual and the material
dimensions of life, different political or religious
orientations.
To Abdullah Badawi, the mentor of

the concept, Islam

Hadhari is not a new intellectual discourse, but it
corresponds to the thoughts of several world famous
Islamic thinker like Yusuf al-Qaradawi, Muhammad
Ammarah and Muhammad al-Ghazali.

Cont
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Finally, Islam Hadhari or Civilized Islam viewed as a

popular civilizatonal approach to life promoting Da'wah or

the call to Islam, and based on 10 principles for building
an organic society particularly in the sense of a modern,
multi-ethnic and multi-faith society.