KERALAM ( WNAM MONITORING): The Muslim world must embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and new technologies while ensuring that faith, moral values and Islamic heritage remain firmly preserved, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Speaking before around 2,000 attendees, including Islamic scholars and students, Anwar said Muslim scholars and societies could not afford to remain detached from the rapid development of AI and modern technology, as a lack of knowledge and understanding could leave them vulnerable to external influences.
“Without knowledge, we will fail. Without understanding AI, we will be colonised and will just become weapons, weaponised by the foreign forces to weaken our resolve,” he said in his speech at the “Gathering of Honour for the Prime Minister of Malaysia” event at Markazu Saquafathi Sunniya, also known as Jamia Markaz, in Calicut here tonight.
He said the challenge facing Muslim societies was not merely to acquire knowledge and expertise in AI, but also to ensure that technological advancement was guided by faith and moral values.
The Prime Minister said this was particularly important as technology was not value-neutral and could influence the values, ethics and beliefs of society if not approached carefully.
Anwar also stressed the importance of preserving the turath (Islamic scholarly heritage), saying the Muslim world should not lose sight of the Quran, Sunnah and works of prominent Islamic scholars while embracing new knowledge and technology.
The Prime Minister said Islamic heritage demonstrated the importance of tolerance, wisdom and constructive engagement, including in relations between Muslims and followers of other faiths.
He pointed out that the Malaysia MADANI approach was rooted in the values of humanity, respect and friendship among people of different races and religions, while remaining firmly grounded in the country’s Islamic faith and moral framework.
On his visit to Keralam, Anwar said the state had deep historical ties with the Malay world, and had played an important role in the spread of Islam and Islamic scholarship across the Malay Archipelago, including Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia and the southern Philippines.
He also expressed appreciation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for facilitating his visit to Keralam, which was made in conjunction with his official visit to India to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
