PUTRAJAYA (Feb 5, 2010): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak today called on the Muslim community to adopt a moderate approach to life or what is known as the Wasatiyah concept in the Quran.

Speaking at a gathering of ulama (religious scholars) and umarak (leaders) here, he said Muslims must live up to and practice the Wasatiyah concept which means moderate, medium and balanced.

"This Wasatiyah concept or moderation is good and encouraged by Islam, as any deed which is done more than the necessary is considered extreme, but if it is less than necessary it is considered negligence.

"Therefore the Muslim community cannot be rigid and extreme and also should not be too free without limit," he said to some 600 people.

Najib said the Wasatiyah concept should produce a progressive 1Ummah (1 community) centred on faith in Allah without neglecting the welfare of the community irrespective of race and religion.

This is consistent with the 1Malaysia concept currently being promoted by the government.

"Believe me that unity can be achieved if all Malaysians understand, immerse themselves and practice noble values espoused in the 1Malaysia concept."

Najib noted that the spirit of 1Malaysia as he envisaged was prevalent during the time of Prophet Muhammad in Madinah.

"The community in Madinah at that time was muti-racial and religious but they lived in harmony based on the Madinah Constitution which prioritised and defended Islam as the religion, fairness to all, protection for the minorities and freedom of religion," he added.

He also paid tribute to the many qari and qariahs (male and female reciters of the Quran) who over the years had won international titles.

"As we are now giving priority to performance, I now announce a monthly incentive of RM2,000 for every qari and qariah who had won an international Quran recitation competition. Payments will be for life, effective from October last year," he said to thunderous applause.

Based on figures available yesterday, 14 female and nine male winners will receive the payments since Malaysia took part in the competition in 1961.

Najib also said religious school students who excel and want to study medicine in Egypt can now look forward to applying for a scholarship from the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) Foundation starting this year.

"The government wants to produce doctors with integrity and capable of grasping the Quran and Science and become innovative figures in the field of medicine," he said.

Najib said the 1MDB Foundation will also consider giving scholarships for other strategic and important fields such as Islamic Finance and Islamic Banking.

He also called on the Islamic non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to do their bit for the 1Malaysia by spreading its concept to the community.

"In this respect, the government plans to give out financial aid to several Islamic NGOs to carry out their activities," he said, adding details such as quantum and recipients will be announced soon after he discusses the matter with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.

At the gathering which started with a forum in the morning, Najib also held a closed-door dialogue with the participants. - theSun