Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called on the Muslim world to keep pace with the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies while firmly upholding Islamic faith, ethical values and traditions.

Malaysia’s national news agency Bernama reported the remarks on Monday (September 14).

Speaking at a reception held in his honour at Jamia Markaz in Kerala on Sunday night, Anwar said Muslim scholars and communities could not afford to remain disconnected from AI and modern technology. A lack of knowledge and understanding of technology, he warned, could make Muslim societies more vulnerable to external influence.

“Without knowledge, we will fail. If we do not understand AI, we will become colonised and turned into a weapon in the hands of foreign powers, used to weaken our resilience,” he said.

Anwar said the challenge for Muslim societies was not limited to acquiring knowledge and skills in AI. They must also ensure that technological progress is guided by faith and ethical values.

According to him, technology is not entirely value-neutral. If used without caution, it can influence a society’s values, morality and beliefs.

The Malaysian prime minister also stressed the importance of preserving Islamic intellectual traditions while embracing new knowledge and technology. He urged the Muslim world not to lose sight of the Quran, Sunnah and the vast body of knowledge left by renowned Islamic scholars while advancing in modern technology and new fields of knowledge.

He said Islamic traditions teach Muslims the importance of tolerance, wisdom and constructive engagement, values that are also essential in maintaining relations with followers of other faiths.

Anwar said Malaysia’s “Malaysia Madani” concept is founded on humanity, mutual respect and friendship among people of different ethnicities and religions. At the same time, he said, the concept is firmly rooted in the country’s Islamic faith and moral framework.

Speaking about his visit to Kerala, Anwar said the Indian state has deep historical ties with the Malay world. Kerala played an important role in the spread of Islam and Islamic scholarship across the Malay Archipelago, including Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia and the southern Philippines.

Anwar thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for facilitating his visit to Kerala. He travelled to the state as part of his visit to India to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

He said he would also meet Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and members of the state cabinet to discuss ways to further strengthen relations between Malaysia and Kerala.

The Malaysian prime minister thanked the Kerala state authorities, security personnel, officials and others for their cooperation in ensuring a smooth visit to Jamia Markaz. He also acknowledged the support extended by non-Muslims and emphasised the importance of working together based on mutual respect and shared goals.

Earlier, Anwar Ibrahim received the Sheikh Abu Bakr Foundation Excellence Award in recognition of more than five decades of public service and his contributions to education, Islamic scholarship, institutional development, international dialogue and humanitarian causes.

Source: Bernama