KUALA LUMPUR, July 25, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – Tan Sri Datuk Dr Abdul Hamid bin Othman, Islamic affairs advisor to Malaysian Premier Abdullah Badawi, called Monday, July 25, on Muslim countries and governments to direct their maximum efforts toward providing food and security to their peoples, in line with the merciful tenets of Islam.

Inaugurating the third conference of the International Islamic Conference of Labour in Kuala Lumpur, Abdul Hamid said a country that grasps the true essence of Islam would first focus on the provision of enough sustenance and security against fear.

The conference, hosted by the Malaysian Islamic Dakwah Foundation (YADIM), is attended by labor and trade unions' delegations as well as women groups' representatives from several Arab and Muslim countries, in addition to other Muslim delegations from non-Muslim countries.

YADIM President Datuk Mohd Nakhaie Ahmad expressed his wishes for Islamic labor unions to have a great role in defending Muslim rights everywhere.

Egypt's Mufti, Sheikh Ali Gomaa', also underlined the importance of cooperation between Islamic unions.

The minister reminded Muslims worldwide that providing honorable life standard to the people must top the agenda of all government.

"Malaysia launched Islam Hadari (Civilizational Islam) with an eye on a reconnaissance process for both the country (Malaysia) and the nation (Muslim world)," he said.

Abdul Hamid added that the project aims at reconsidering "our understanding" of the Noble Qur'an and the Islamic message, in a way that highlights the values of work and building, away from the negative concepts.

The Malaysian official, in this regard, highlighted the need to lure back distinguished Muslim brains and experts working outside the Muslim world, as they are the founding stones of any project to reestablish the Muslim civilization.

Abdul Hamid told IslamOnline.net that his country, through the project of Islam Hadari, seeks to awaken Muslim countries to achieve development that guarantees honorable living standards for the peoples.

He also stressed the project carries a reconciliatory message to non-Muslims, adding it is being met wonderfully both in and outside Malaysia.

Premier Badawi announced his vision of promoting Islam Hadhari as a model for development.

He says that Islam Hadhari is not an inclusive concept as it also emphasizes the importance of progress -- with an Islamic perspective -- in the economic, social, and political fields.