'Scholars should recognise new realities': Malaysian PM as Kerala cleric defends remarks

KOZHIKODE: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called on religious scholars to recognise the new realities and challenges of the present times, including developments in modern technology, new sciences, digital transformation and artificial intelligence.He was speaking after receiving the Sheikh Abubacker Foundation’s Excellence Award from All India Sunni Jem Iyyathul Ulema general secretary Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar at Markazu Saquafathi Sunniyya at Karanthur here.On the challenges posed by the new developments, Ibrahim said, “Our concern is, we need the knowledge, we need expertise; but our concern is also the need to protect our faith and moral values. Without knowledge, we will fail. Without understanding AI, we will remain colonized and we will become just weapons - weaponized by foreign forces to weaken our resolve.”Political functionaries, including IUML state president Panakkad Sadikkali Shihab Thangal, industries minister PK Kunhalikutty also met Ibrahim.Ibrahim began his speech by saying, “Enthaanu varthamaanam” (How are things?) in Malayalam.He said that Malaysia has close ties with Keralam, particularly the Malabar region. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making arrangements that enabled him to reach Karanthur and conveyed Modi’s greetings to Aboobacker Musliyar.Musliyar presented Ibrahim with a handwritten manuscript of Sahih al-Bukhari, the world-renowned collection of Hadith. Ibrahim later attended a dinner hosted in his honour.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kochi | Silver Rate in Kochi | Bank Holidays in Kochi | Public Holidays in KochiStay updated with the latest Kochi news. Download the TOI App.