Voice of Islamic Moderation from the Malay World

Mohd Kamal Hassan’s Voice of Islamic Moderation from the Malay Worldpresents a selection of eleven essays written over the past decade in responseto the challenges from a globalization steeped in the post-9/11 climate. Intendedmainly for a non-Muslim audience, it seeks to represent the voice ofIslamic moderation (al-wasaṭīyah) from the multi-ethnic, multi-religiousMalaysian context. One hopes that discussions on this important character ofIslam will provide a collective vision of holistic wellbeing and, at the sametime, recognize Malaysia’s pluralistic nature. The Islamic perspective on theunifying theme of moderation’s universal ethos pervades its three sections –“Promoting the Common Ground amongst Religions and Cultures,” “Changingthe Muslim Mindset: A Civilizational Approach,” and “The Meaning andImplications of Islamic Moderation” – with a focus on the search for its progressiveintegration into all aspects of life.The first section opens with an analysis of “The Expanding Spiritual-Moral Role of World Religions in the New Millennium.” This chapter raisesmultiple social, moral, environmental, political, and economic concerns relatedto pursuing an aggressive economic agenda within the folds of globalizationwhile ignoring religion-based ethics and the human need for a spiritualguiding vision. Under the siege conditions of globalization’s “swiftness, totalityand irreligious mission” (p. 83), there is an urgent need for world religionsto play – as well as be given – a more assertive role in formulatingholistic action plans. States are thus urged to allow religious-based ethics andspiritual values to expand into public life, from business to international tradeand relations, politics and educational institutions.Hassan, however, notes that both proponents and opponents of the separationbetween spiritual values (private) and this-worldly affairs (public)need to fully understand each other’s position in order to appreciate the ...