adminKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) — Muslims must embrace new technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to avoid being left behind in the rapid pace of global development, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
He said the real challenge today was to harness technological advances such as quantum computing, AI and rapid digitalisation while remaining firmly rooted in the strength of faith, morals and personal character.
“People who failed to embrace AI as a new field of knowledge risked falling behind, but our understanding of AI does not necessarily mean copying or wholly adopting what comes from foreign countries, especially Western countries.
“We must preserve our values. In our pursuit of change and desire to acquire knowledge in artificial intelligence and other fields, we must remain grounded in the strength of what is known as our ‘turath’, our legacy and our heritage,” he said.
He said this when officiating the 66th International Quran Recital and Memorisation Assembly (MTHQA) at the World Trade Centre (WTC) here tonight.
Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
Meanwhile, Anwar said any economic growth and modernisation agenda, including digital transformation, could not be pursued without peace and consensus among people of different races and religions.
Referring to relations among people as guided by the Quran, he said the holy book called on Muslims to know and respect one another’s differences to foster genuine harmony.
“That is why, in pursuing change, we must not lose sight of the spirit of bringing goodness and mercy. Dakwah must be driven by compassion, not by a desire to boast about our knowledge and intelligence.
“Peace comes from the consensus achieved among Muslims and non-Muslims in our country. No country in the world can pursue economic growth and development without the spirit of unity and peace,” he said.
The 66th MTHQA, held from Oct 6 to 10, carries the theme ‘Madani Dihayati, Ummah Diberkati’ and brings together 50 participants from 38 countries, comprising 25 participants in Quran recitation and 25 in Quran memorisation.
Malaysia is represented by Mohamad Cik Hasnul Taqiyuddin Cik Sazali and Nur Syakura Mohamad Musa in the Quran recitation category, and Muhammad Izzul Afnan Sazali and Dina Hadfina Mohd Umarul Hisyam in the Quran memorisation category.
— BERNAMA
