Use of force, not religion, at root of conflicts, Malaysian leader tells UN

The use of force, and not religious difference, lies at the root of conflicts between Islamic and Western countries, the Prime Minister of Malaysia told the United Nations General Assembly today, emphasizing that all genuine religions advocate peace.

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi rejected those who would blame religion for disputes between nations. “All genuine religions advocate peace and harmony among peoples as well as acceptance of others,” he said.

“This is certainly the case with Islam, which teaches its believers to practice tolerance, forgiveness, peace, fraternity and coexistence.”

He said the cause of conflicts between Islamic and Western countries “is the repeated use of force by the powerful over the weak to secure strategic or territorial gains.”

Voicing support for efforts to foster interfaith and intercultural dialogue, he said these initiatives can help to “establish the truth that Islam is a religion which espouses universalism, not exclusivity; tolerance, not bigotry.”

Malaysia, he said, has adopted a successful approach called “Islam Hadhari,” whereby the Government “uses the progressive teachings of Islam as the basis for good governance to deliver benefits to all sectors of its multi-ethnic and multi-religious society without discrimination.”

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the President of the Philippines, spoke about the UN’s role in interfaith dialogue. “I have personally advanced the process of peace in Muslim and Christian Mindanao to a new level of engagement, focused on interfaith dialogue, economic development and mutual security,” she said.

“We have done so with the largest possible international involvement, including the UN,” she said.

Emphasizing the link between peace and respect for rights, she expressed support for efforts to focus the work of the UN in the field of human rights.