IKIM Publishes Book To Fend Off Pluralistic Beliefs

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- The book, 'Kenapa Islam: Menyanggah Pegangan Kaum Pluralis' (Why Islam: Refuting the Beliefs of Pluralists) published by the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM) can be a guide to fend off attempts by certain quarters attempting to erode the confidence of Muslims regarding fundamental issues in the Islamic faith.

IKIM's Syariah Studies, Law and Politics Centre director Dr Mohd Farid Shahran said the publication of the book was timely, as religion and inter-religious relations within Malaysia's plural society had become an endless polemic.

He said although different communities had been living in harmony for so long, problems began arising when certain parties subtly used the diversity as a 'weapon' to undermine the Muslim's beliefs, trapping them with the concept of pluralism.

"In the context of ethnic and religious diversity, we cannot escape the issue of religious tolerance, that is, the importance of tolerating the differences between themselves and other religions.

"Here, we have to be clear, that in religious tolerance, we (Muslims) can tolerate in terms of practising each other's religious beliefs. However, we cannot compromise on the truth of the Islamic religion, and firmly stand by our stance that Islam is the best religion," he said when discussing the book as a panelist here today.

Also on the panel for the discussion held in conjunction with the Books and Comics Auction 2017 were Senior Fellow of the IKIM Syariah Studies, Law and Politics Centre, Md Asham Ahmad, who is also the book's author.

Mohd Farid said differences and diversity of religion should not make Muslims pluralists, and the book justified the matter with basic and scientific evidence of the truth of the Islamic religion, the perfection of the Islamic Shari'a, the authority of messenger, the Prophet Muhammad SAW, and on how his teachings had been preserved till today.

Meanwhile, Md Asham hoped the publication of the book could improve Muslim understanding of the true position of Islam, as well as remove all doubts arising from misleading pluralist agendas.

The 70-page book is sold at RM25 and is available via online purchase at www.ikim.gov.my, or at the Penerbit IKIM Gallery, Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur.

-- BERNAMA