ISLAMIC institutions cannot stay silent and allow extremist minority groups to do all the talking, said Anwar Ibrahim today.

The former Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) president said while he does not think extremist groups should be silenced, Muslim groups and personalities should not remain mute either.

“This is a democratic nation. We must give them space to speak. But neither can we respond with silence.

“Islamic groups must speak up and let the people know that our view of Islam is different from that of the extremist groups, who want to be seen as speaking for all Muslims,” he told reporters at a breaking of fast event in Bangi.

Anwar said he has been saying this since 1979, when he was the Abim president.

“Muslim personalities and movements must step forward and explain that our Islam is not the Islam that the small groups have displayed, which has sown suspicion and doubt among the races. 

He said he is not just saying this because he is the PKR president as this is not a political issue.

“We have said that Islam in Malaysia cannot escape from the reality that it must address doubts and encourage interracial community.” – May 16, 2019.