News

By Teh Athira Yusof - -

KUALA LUMPUR: The ‘Rahmatan lil Alamin’ (Mercy to all creations) concept is expected to be adopted as a policy soon.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa said the working paper on the concept is now in its final draft before it is presented to the Cabinet.

“InsyaAllah, the working paper for the Cabinet is currently in its final draft which is expected to be presented to them by late of September or latest, by early October.

“When it is approved by the Cabinet, then it can be made into a policy. This later would enable it to be made part of the Budget this October.

“When the paper is approved by the Cabinet as a policy in the Islamic administration, InsyaAllah, we will launch an event to present the new policy based on ‘Rahmatan lil Alamin’,” he said.

He said this at the Rahmatan lil Alamin International Seminar launching event held at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) here today.

The programme was organised in conjunction to the ‘Rahmatan lil Alamin’ week by the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) and IIUM to educate the public on the meaning of the new Islamic administration policy.

The one day seminar saw Islamic scholars from the region such as Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia taking part.

The scholars will present, debate and provide input into the concept based on four issues comprising ‘Syumul’ (universal), ‘Mutakamil’ (comprehensive) and ‘Ilmiah’ (knowledge), ‘Adab al-ikhtilaf’ (ethics of disagreement) in overcoming extremism as well as on today’s realities and hope.

“The outcome from today’s seminar where scholars present their cases and arguments would be turned into a book titled Rahmatan lil Alamin, for others to understand the concept and be made as a guideline for other Islamic countries.

“It is also hoped that with the book, the public can use it as a guideline to explain religious statements or sentiments that have been made viral,” Mujahid said.

‘Rahmatan lil Alamin’ has been approved by the Rulers’ Council and had also been approved via a meeting of the Islamic National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia, which was chaired by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on March 14.

The concept is based on the ‘Maqasid Syariah’ (goals and objectives of Syariah) and the Malaysian Model, which was introduced last year.

On expanding the understanding of the concept, Mujahid hoped that by next year, it would be introduced into the civil service and the proposed policy would be used by those who are relevant not merely confined to those in academic field.

“Hopefully, the concept would be spread intensively not only to those in universities but also among civil servants in the ministries, schools and relevant individuals.

“The concept is hoped to benefit every segment of the public in our diverse country,” he said.

When asked if the ‘Rahmatan lil Alamin’ concept is similar to Umno and Pas’ Muslim Unity Gathering (Penyatuan Ummah) concept, Mujahid brushed if, off saying it has no political connotation.

“If it is a race, I want to make it into the top (heaven) not to the bottom (hell),” he said.