@Halal January/February 2024 | Page 15

15
January-February . 2024 | @ Halal

Event

15

Bridging harmony

The Islam-Confucianism Leadership Dialogue Conference
BY SHEILA ROZARIO

WITH the rising tide of identity politics , the recent Islam-Confucianism Leadership Dialogue Conference in November last year emerged as a beacon of hope , steering away from the discordant currents that threaten global harmony .

Prime Minister Dato ’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed the significance of this dialogue , emphasising the need to transcend the divisive forces that have gripped societies worldwide .
NAVIGATING THE WATERS OF IDENTITY POLITICS
The roots of identity politics trace back to the aftermath of 9 / 11 when Islamophobia gained momentum in the wake of global counter-terrorism efforts . The fall of Saddam Hussein ’ s regime in Iraq heightened tensions in the Middle East , leading to unprecedented chaos and tragedy . The ensuing refugee crisis , testing European societies , fueled the rise of far-right ideologies .
Identity politics , however , is not confined to specific regions ; it has become a global phenomenon . An alarming surge in extremism on all fronts perpetuates Huntington ’ s ominous “ Clash of Civilizations .”
In this turbulent context , the Islam-Confucianism Leadership Dialogue Conference emerges as a deliberate effort to foster understanding and harmony .
“ Indeed , we are actively turning our backs on the narcissism of small differences so that we can rise above the din and soar to the higher notes of harmony ,” Anwar reiterated .
CHOOSING HARMONY OVER DISCORD
The Prime Minister underscored the importance of choosing harmony over discord , especially in a multi-ethnic , multi-religious society like Malaysia , rejecting the imposition of uniformity driven by obscurantism . He asserts the nation ’ s commitment to moving forward while embracing diversity .
“ Here , we have to contend with the forces of obscurantism who wish to impose uniformity , stemming from a yearning to recreate an imagined Puritan past . But let me assert with clarity and conviction : that is not the path we wish to tread . We must – and we will – move onwards and forward .”
The conference transcends mere academia ; it embodies policy in action . As leaders engage in dialogue , they seek fresh insights into the rich tapestries of Islam and Confucianism . In an era marked by growing intolerance , this civilisational dialogue stands as a bold act of defiance , reaffirming dedication to mutual understanding , inclusivity , and peace .
ENLIGHTENED LEADERSHIP IN ISLAM AND CONFUCIANISM
Anwar also highlighted the shared principles of Islam and Confucianism , particularly in enlightened leadership . Professor Tu Weiming ’ s contribution to the Islam-Confucianism dialogue is acknowledged , highlighting the importance of a dialogical community in an increasingly culturally complex world .
“ Dialogical community is important when societies become more culturally complex and intercultural relations more problematic .
“ Today ’ s Islam-Confucianism dialogue on enlightened leadership is a significant step in advancing the idea of a dialogical community at national and international levels .”
Confucius and Prophet Muhammad ( pbuh ) are portrayed as founders of dialogical communities in China and Madinah . Both traditions advocate for the moderate or middle path , emphasising the Aristotelian Golden Mean and Islam ’ s wasatiyah values .
The commonality extends to moral empowerment and inner peace , central to enlightened leadership in both philosophies .
SHARED VALUES ON PEACE AND INNER CULTIVATION
Islam and Confucianism profoundly emphasise the pursuit of inner and external peace . The concept of dar al-Islam , meaning abode of peace , underscores the importance of peace in both the heart and society .
Confucianism ’ s “ Chung Yung ” and Islam ’ s tazkiatun nafs ( purification of the soul ) highlight the intrinsic connection between inner peace and enlightened leadership .
SUSTAINABILITY AND ETHICAL GOVERNANCE
The discourse on sustainability , a key pillar of Malaysia ’ s MADANI initiative , extends beyond environmental concerns . The relationship between man and nature is explored , emphasising interconnectedness and respect .
The need for ethical values becomes apparent as global challenges like climate change , inequality , cybersecurity , and ethical concerns related to artificial intelligence unfold .
“ Resolving them demands re-evaluating our values and the principles guiding our actions . “
Islam and Confucianism offer ancient

The idea of enlightened leadership

�n a �i�nifican� c�n�in�a�i�n �f �he hi���ric �n�erna�i�nal �e�inar �n ��la� an� C�nf�ciani�� in ����� The �l��ha�ali Chair �f ��la�ic ��i��e��l��� an� Ci�ili�a�i�nal ����ie� an� �ene�al� ��T�C��n�erna�i�nal ��la�ic �ni�er�i�� �ala��ia� �he Cen�re �f �e�i�nal ��ra�e�ic ����ie� �C�O���� an� �he ����hea�� ��ia �e�earch Cen�re f�r ���ani�ie� �����C��� �r�ani�e� �he ��la�� C�nf�ciani�� �ea�er�hi� �ial���e ��C������� in ��ala �����r �n ��� ���
The e�en�� �����r�e� �� �he �ri�e �ini��er�� Office an� �he ���a��� �f �he �e��le�� �e���lic �f China in �ala��ia� �i�ne��e� �he �ar�ici�a�i�n �f ��� a��en�ee�� f�r�her ��li�if�in� i�� r�le a� a �eac�n �f enli�h�en�en� in f���erin� �n�er��an�in� an� c�lla��ra�i�n �e��een ��la�ic an� C�nf�cian �ra�i�i�n� f�r a har��ni��� �l��al f���re�
Thi� e�en� i� c���r�ani�e� �� �he ���li� ����h ���e�en� �f �ala��ia ������ an� �he ��a� C�nf�cian �n�re�rene�r� ��r��� The �C������ re�re�en�e� a rene�e� c���i��en� �� ��il�in� �ri��e� �e��een ci�ili�a�i�n�� �ran�cen�in� reli�i��� an�
�hil����hical ���n�arie�� The e�en� �r���h� ���e�her �ch�lar�� e��er��� an� �rac�i�i�ner� fr�� ��la� an� C�nf�ciani��� crea�in� a �la�f�r� f�r ��en an� re��ec�f�l e�chan�e��
The �ial���e ai�e� �� c�n�ri���e �� e��i�a�le an� incl��i�e in�erna�i�nal rela�i�n�� rec��ni�in� �he i���r�ance �f �eanin�f�l �ial���e in �he face �f �l��ali�a�i�n�
The �he�e �f �he �ial���e� �The ��ea �f �nli�h�ene� �ea�er�hi�� ��la�ic�C�nf�cian �er��ec�i�e��� e����ie� �he ��iri� �f �n��le��e� �i����� an� learnin�� �� re�ec�e� a c���i��en� �� e��l�rin� �hare� �al�e� an� �elief� �e��een ��la� an� C�nf�ciani��� �a�in� �he �a� f�r a ��rl� ��il� ���n ����al �n�er��an�in��
�ri�e �ini��er �f �ala��ia �a�� �eri �n�ar ��rahi� �race� �he �cca�i�n� al�n� �i�h China�� a��a��a��r �� �ala��ia O��an� ���in� an� �ala��ia�� �ini��er �f �cience� Techn�l���� an� �nn��a�i�n Chan� �ih �an�� �h� al�� �er�e� a� �he ��n�rar� �a�r�n an� ���i��r �f �C�������
The e�en� fea��re� a li�e c�nference a��re�� �� �r�f T� �ei �in�� Chair �r�fe���r �f ���ani�ie� an� ���n�in� wisdom on balance , ethical conduct , and considering the collective good . In an age marked by technological advancement and environmental crises , these teachings guide us towards more sustainable , equitable , and ethical paths .
MALAYSIA FOR GLOBAL ETHICAL GOVERNANCE
Malaysia ’ s diverse heritage uniquely positions it to shape a new era of Global Ethical Governance . The nation ’ s rich civilisations provide valuable lessons , promising a more inclusive and representative paradigm .
By embracing the wisdom of Islam and Confucianism , Malaysia can set an example of a morally enlightened , technologically advanced future .
FORGING AHEAD WITH CONVICTION
As Toshihiko Izutsu ’ s wisdom reminds us , pursuing knowledge brings peace of mind and intensifies awareness of injustices around us .
Anwar called for a renewed conviction grounded in the principles of Islam and Confucianism , aiming for shared prosperity and justice in all spheres of human endeavour . In this pivotal moment , Malaysia stands poised to lead the world towards a harmonious coexistence amidst diversity . –
�irec��r �f �he �n��i���e f�r ���ance� ���ani��ic ����ie� a� �e�in� �ni�er�i�� � �r�fe���r ��eri��� an� �eni�r �ell�� �f ��ia Cen�er a� �ar�ar� �ni�er�i���
The �r��ra��e incl��e� a �h���h���r����in� �e��i�n �� ��eri��� �r�fe���r �a��� �r� O��an �a�ar� ��ea�in� �n �The �hil����her��in� in ��la�ic an� C�nf�cian ��li�ical Th���h�� C���ara�i�e ���e��� �i�h �r� ��h� �ha�ani �a�ri ���era�in� �he �e��i�n�
��r�her��re� ��rin� �he cere��n�� �n�ar an� �� O��an� ���in� la�nche� �he �an�arin �er�i�n �f ���la� an� C�nf�ciani��� � Ci�ili�a�i�nal �ial���e�� Thi� e�i�i�n� a �ran�la�i�n �f �he ne� �ec�n� e�i�i�n e�i�e� �� �r�fe���r� O��an �a�ar an� Chen� �e� �ai� carrie� �i�nifican� c�l��ral �ei�h� a� �he fir�� e�i�i�n �ran�la�e� in�� �an�arin� f�ll��in� �he ���nian �er�i�n� The i���r�ance �f �hi� �an�arin �ran�la�i�n can har�l� �e ��ere��i�a�e�� a� i� i� e��ec�e� �� reach a �i�nifican� �e��en� �f �an�arin���ea�in� rea�er� in �he Chine�e �ia���ra in ����hea�� ��ia an� China� The �ala� �ran�la�i�n an� e�i�i�n are ��ill in �r��re���