KUALA LUMPUR: The Muslim world needs to unite and take a principled stance against the madness and arrogance of Israel, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said that the world seems helpless against the atrocities caused by Israel in Gaza and other countries.
Anwar said this during his laureate speech after receiving the Global Islamic Finance Award (Gifa) 2025 here on Thursday (Sept 11) from its chairman Dr Humayon Dar.
“The world is in a mess - one country’s display of madness and arrogance in causing mischief, disaster and atrocities across the region and the world seems helpless.
“While we take a strong principled stance against the Israeli Zionists’ aggression, colonisation and display of utter arrogance and ignorance of international laws, we need to keep our house in order.
“We need to promote ethical standards and rid our society of endemic corruption, injustice and inequality and propel our economy.
“When Islamic finance was first introduced, there were concerns among the Western-trained elites that Muslims were returning to the age of the camels.
“However, in Malaysia, with the support of Muslims and non-Muslims, Islamic finance has shown to be a true alternative,” said Anwar.
He said that he was receiving the award on behalf of all the players of Islamic finance in Malaysia.
“I am a small representative receiving this award on behalf of all those who have put their commitment into Islamic finance, regulators and financial institutions who embrace innovation to provide sharia-compliant and solutions void of riba (interest) at scale,” said Anwar.
He said that the Muslim world today faces inequality, poverty and marginalisation and Islamic finance can be a viable solution due to its social values.
“Islamic finance must not only adapt but find a sustainable infrastructure and digital platforms which can improve social instruments such as wakaf and zakat to widen the financial inclusion to uplift communities,” said Anwar.
He also said that Islamic finance should look to invest in development and laboratory excellence in meeting sustainable development goals to nurture the future generations, with ethical principles.
Gifa is an annual program that recognises and rewards excellence in the global Islamic banking and finance industry, with an aim to promote social responsibility and Shari'a authenticity.
The awards have been held annually since 2011, honouring various institutions and individuals for their contributions to Islamic finance.
