Better living with Hadhari ONE of the reasons for the glob- al expansion of Islam has been its universality. Over the years, the Muslim civilisation has exhibited openness in a con- stant dialogue with other cul- tures and civilisations. This openness was promoted by the spirit of religious and cultural tolerance prevailing in the expansion of the Arab-Mus- lim influence, which stretched from Spain to China The Persian wisdom and Greek reason became compo- nent parts of the Muslim intel- lectual culture. In conditions of political-legal and religious pluralism within the framework of Islam, the cre- ators of the classical culture of the Arab-Muslim middle ages were not only Arabs, but also representatives of many other peoples. The illustrious Muslim schol- ar, Imam al-Ghazali who was a Persian and Admiral Zheng He, a Chinese are a couple of exam- ples ‘AS a result of these interac- tions, medieval Europe was indebted to Islam and consid- ered not only the heritage of antiquity transmitted from the Muslim, but also the many achievements of classical Mus- lims in the fields of philosophy, science and the arts as compo- nents of its own culture. This BY MOHD ROSLAN: Fellow, Centre For Shariah, Law And Political Science, KIM soon became the impetus for the modern-day civilisation, Itis interesting to note that on the basis of interaction between civilisations, independent cul- tures were generated and developed which simultaneous- ly belonged to Islamic and European civilisations. The Muslim cities of Baghdad, Cairo, and Cordoba became ma- jor cultural centres, which defined the course of interac- tion with other civilisations. Islam contributed directly when the West experienced a renaissance and borrowed greatly from Islam between the 8th and 15th Centuries, Muslim Spain gathered and preserved the intellectual con: tents of ancient Greek and Roman civilisation. It also inter- preted and expanded upon that Civilisation, and made a vital contribution of its own in the sciences in particular astrono- my, mathematics, algebra, law, MOHD SALUDDIN history, medicine, pharmacolo- gy, optics, agriculture, architec ture, theology and music. Contributions were also made to the study and practice of medicine that allowed Europe to benefit centuries later In fact, much of the culture Europe prides on was transmit- ted from Muslim Spain. Di- plomacy, free trade, open bor- ders, the techniques of academ: ic research, etiquette, fashion, altemative medicine, hospitals, all came from the Islamic civil sation, Unfortunately, now in our midst, anything Islamic is some- times interpreted sceptically. Often when the term “Islamic” is employed, it carries with it a negative connotation, as though. to signify violence, conflict and backwardness. Is this “Islamophobia” or is it ignorance compounded by prejudice? If we look at the reactions of CLASSICAL HERITAGE: The sun setting over the Opera House in Cairo, Egypt. Cairo is one of the few Muslim cities with cultural centres that define the course of interaction with other Civilisation. — Reuterspic some critics to the govern- ment's Hadhari approach, while the majority accepts it in good faith, it is negatively perceived by some to be forcing Islam on the rest of the population when, in reality, its intent is to create a civilisation of harmonious mul- tiracial Malaysia. If this is the case, then it is not “{slamophobia”, but ignorance. Islam is a religion of remark- able tolerance of “samahah”. It has proven true for its time in medieval times allowing Jews and Christians to practise their inherited beliefs, setting an example of co-existence. There is no doubt whatsoever in affirming Islam’s influence on the West, At the time, there was no question of mass conversion of the Christian West by the guidance and enlightenment of Islam. In return the West gained and later became the catalyst for moderr-day civilisation. Islamis a religion of tolerance, forgiveness and peace, preach- ing universal human fraternity of coexistence. The term “sama- hah” connotes magnanimity, tolerance, open heartedness, forgiveness, respectfulness and generosity. So why was Islam able to exhibit this element in the past and is perceived in con tradiction today? The Hadhari approach was meant to enhance the quality of life for everyone irrespective of religious belief, through the pro- gressive and dynamic develop- ment in terms of education, human capital, the economy and social institutions, which are essentials fora civilised society. Secularism, the philosophical and political movement that promotes the idea that society benefits by separating the sacred from the profane, has no place in Malaysia. Malaysia cannot be secular when it has Islam as its official religion as enshrined in the Federal Constitution. History has often been a wit- ness to the recurring cycles of advancement and_eniighten- ment of civilisations in the wake of religious reformation, provid- ing a spiritual and moral base, followed by degeneration and decline coinciding with the absence of scholars. It is only logical, therefore, to seek solutions and guidance in faith, Being the official religion, Islam offers answers and guid- ance, hence Hadhari is under- standing the present day within the framework of Islam.