Islam Hadhari
Islam Hadhari (Arabic الإسلام الحضاري) or "Civilizational Islam" is a theory of government based on the principles of Islam as derived from the Qur'an. It was originally founded by Tunku Abdul Rahman in 1957 (but under a different name), and is now being promoted by the current Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
It consists of 10 fundamental principles.
- Faith and piety in Allah
- Just and trustworthy government
- Freedom and independence to the people
- Mastery of knowledge
- Balanced and comprehensive economic development
- Good quality of life for all
- Protection of the rights of minority groups and women
- Cultural and moral integrity
- Protection of the environment
- A strong defence policy
Criticism of Islam Hadhari
Islam Hadhari as a redundant re-interpretation
Some Muslims believe that Islam is already moderate and encompasses life in every part of this world. To them, extremism exists in the form of misinterpretation and selective interpretation of the Qur'an and the Hadiths. Therefore, the word "Hadhari" is redundant, and may cause the misunderstanding that Islam by itself is not already moderate. However, Islam Hadhari has been welcomed by those who fear that the main Islamic opposition party is too extreme with its goals.
In June 2006, Mahathir bin Mohamad, the previous Prime Minister of Malaysia, criticised Islam Hadhari with this same opinion. [1]
Islam Hadhari as mere rhetorics
The concept of Islam Hadhari as a moderate doctrine also came into question by examining Article 121 (1A) of the Malaysia Federal Constitution which is against Principle 7. While, the Prime Minister of Malaysia appeared to be promoting a limited brand of Islam with some limit within the Sharia, the involvement of several of its academicians in he Jemaah Islamiyah Network and the frequent occurrences of snoop squad seem to suggest Islam Hadhari is mere rhetorics.
Etymology
The Arabic word حضارة ħadāra (from which "Hadhari" is derived) refers to both "civilization" and "settled life" or "sedentariness" (i.e. not being nomadic), so that the term Islam Hadhari implicitly contrasts itself with the Islam of nomads or bedouin.
External links
Official
Unofficial
- Islam Hadhari and Good Governance - a speech by the Prime Minister of Malaysia at the Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand (31 March 2005)
- Islam Hadhari: Concept and Prospect
- Islam Hadhari the Way Forward
- Islam Hadhari Threat to No Faith
- Ref: Sh. Mohamad Nadzir As Saghir.
- Changing the Muslim mindset by Zainah Anwar, New Straits Times, May 19, 2006
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