Towards the Twenty-First Century: Islam and Vision 2020

Abstract

I would like to thank the organizers for inviting me to the joint launching of the Institute of Islam Understanding, Malaysia and the opening ceremony of this congress. The idea of the Institute of Islamic Understanding, Malaysia, was first suggested because of the confusion among Muslims and nonMuslims regarding Islam. This discord has led to misunderstanding and animosity not only between Muslims and non-Muslims but among Muslims themsalves. Whether we like it or not, many non-Muslims consider Islam a religion that is closely related to backwardness, poverty and weakness. Of late, some Muslims have also been closely associated with violence and irrationality - an act or thought which is without principles.