MUSLIMS should have a common identity but must not judge one another based on superficial values, Dr Mahathir Mohamad said after the closing of the KL Summit 2019 today.

He told a press conference after the gathering of Muslim leaders and scholars that Muslims must not impose their culture on others, as the Quran recognises and accepts that people follow different faiths.

“We are all Muslims and, as Muslims, we have certain values in our culture, among which is Islam is not just a religion but a way of life.

“But if you want to dress differently or cover your face or keep a beard, that is your right. We don’t breach certain values. Like when we judge, judge with justice. That’s an Islamic value,” the prime minister said.

“I’m a Muslim and I don’t have a beard, but that doesn’t make me any less Muslim. Just as I wear Western clothes; it doesn’t make me an Englishman.”

The summit, which drew leaders from Turkey, Iran and Qatar, had discussed problems facing the Muslim world today, including disunity, violence, Islamophobia and weak governance.

Dr Mahathir said Muslims must be careful not to impose their culture on others, even as they seek to build a common identity.

“In the Quran, it also (talks) about peoples of other faiths. To them their faiths and to us, ours. We pray in our way and they pray in theirs. But if they are Muslims, we pray in the same way. That is what we mean by common culture.”

The four-day KL Summit this year faced criticism from the Saudi Arabia-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which had said there should not be other platforms to discuss Muslim issues.

Saudi Arabian representatives did not attend the summit, and the kingdom had also pressured Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to withdraw from attending the summit at the last minute.

Throughout the summit, Dr Mahathir had said that the platform was not aimed at diminishing the OIC or excluding certain countries.

Dr Mahathir had also said it was Saudi Arabia’s right not to attend the summit.

“There is no compulsion in Islam. If they want to come, they come and if they don’t want to come, it is their right to decide whatever they want.

“This conference has attracted if not the heads of government, at least their representatives, and scholars from the Muslim world. 

“We are quite satisfied with that and the discussions have focused on how we can help ourselves rather than try to get others not to do certain things.

“We want to strengthen and be united. That is our purpose. What others want to say, that is their right,” he added.

He also expressed regret that Khan did not attend, but added that Pakistan could still be a partner in addressing Muslim concerns.

“We would have been very happy if Imran Khan had come, but for his own reasons, he could not attend. We are a bit sad that he could not come. At the United Nations, the three of us (Turkish President Recep Tayyip) Erdogan, Imran and myself, we thought we should work together. He couldn’t come this time but maybe he will next time.” – December 21, 2019.