Islamic preachers must improve English proficiency - Anwar

PUTRAJAYA - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for improved English proficiency among Islamic preachers to enable them to debate better with thinkers in Europe and abroad.

He said a good command of the language will enable Islamic teachings to be presented more systematically and understood in depth.

"... in Europe (for example) a strong grasp of the English language (is required) to debate with them (thinkers),” he said when speaking at the Ilmu MADANI event here today.

Also present were the Chair of the Board Trustees and Founder of Cambridge Muslim College (CMC), Syeikh Dr Abdal Hakim Murad, and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar.

Anwar also hailed the strength and wisdom of Syeikh Abdal Hakim, who used intellectual language to debate and captivate the interest of people in Europe regarding Islam.

"Your strength is your ability to articulate brilliantly in the language of the Europeans of English. Different, for example, from a scholar of Islam, less ability or proficiency in the language to debate,” he said.

Anwar said Syeikh Abdal Hakim is a prominent public intellectual renowned for addressing challenges in the contemporary Islamic world.

"He can engage with Islamic tradition and Western philosophy and culture," he said.

Meanwhile, Anwar also called on university students and youth to read books or scriptures together with lecturers so that the analysis can be understood clearly.

"I propose that university students and youngsters read scriptures with lecturers or teachers. It offers deeper insights and a higher level of analysis from all thinkers,” he said. - BERNAMA