Welcome to our live dialogue Dr. Mohamed El-Mesawi. Congratulations on the 50th Anniversary of the Malaysian Independence.
Answer
Salam to all your respected audience & thanks for inviting me for this forum on this occasion.
Name
Editor
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Profession
Question
Malaysia's motto this year is "50 Years of Development."
In a continent otherwise plagued by poverty, to what factors do you attribute Malaysia's development?
Answer
It can be attributed to clarity of vision, resolution, and perseverance to pursue goals and implement policies designed to achieve them.
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Mabrook
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Profession
Question
In light of the recent spur of terrorism over the past few years, how do you feel that society in Malaysia has been affected if at all in the public global eye?
Answer
It can be safely asserted that Malaysia has succeeded to safeguard itself from falling into the abyss of terrorism, thanks to its wise policies both at home and on regional and international levels.
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Editor
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Profession
Question
One of our interviewees said that while Malaysia has become more developed, it is also not as safe as it used to be. What is your comment?
Answer
I cannot agree with that statement if it intends to liken the Malaysian scene with other parts of the world where political oppression and social violence has become the prevalent means to deal with national issues.
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Editor
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Profession
Question
What are the major challenges that Malaysia faces today?
Answer
The first challenge is to maintain and enhance the achievments attained and level of social, political and culatural integration built up over the last decades as well as to get the new generations reday to take over from the previous and present leadership with self-confidence and assertion.
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Hillary
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Profession
Question
Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the coming future? And why?
Answer
I am optimistic of the future of this country. The reason is that its past and present experience has been carried out in a spirit of continuity whereby every new leadership and its entourage build on what has been done before them and not try to reinvent the wheel. There has always been an positive attitude appreciative of all parties can contribute to the overall development of the country.
Name
Ahmed Amal
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Profession
Question
Is our beloved religion compatible with all of the Malaysian population, including the Christian minorities?
Answer
Malaysia can be cited as a rare exemple where there has been considerable success to make religious and ethnic diversity a factor of mutual understanding and respect among the different components of the society, including Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Christians and others.
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Editor
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Profession
Question
As any other society, Malaysia still needs to develop in certain areas such as social equality and gender equality. Many complain of race-based, or gender-based policies. What are the particular problems in these areas in Malaysian society today?
Answer
Striking a reasonable and fair balance between the different racial and ethno-religious communities making up the Malaysian society has always been a matter of priority for the Malaysia leadership over the last 40 years. The good thing about this is all parties are well aware of the delicacy of the situation. This explains why any tendencies threatening that balance are duly dealt with. As for a woman and her place and contribution to nation building, it is a fact that no one can deny or question; its manifestations are highly visible on various planes.
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S.P.
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Profession
Question
How have international trade, manufacturing and other academic pursuits such as computers enhanced life in Malaysia during the past fifty years?
Answer
It is known to economic analysts that Malaysia has been able to attract foreign investment in many ways and has transformed its economy from a subsistence and agrarian economy to an industry-based economy and vibrant financial centre in the region; an economy with a reliable infrastructure, characterised by two major things: poverty eradication at home and service and manufacturing for both the local and international markets.
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Editor
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Profession
Question
There are over 37,000 refugees in Malaysia, and in a recent incident where dozens were caned as illegal immigrants, many said they did not feel safe.
What can be done to improve the situation of refugees in Malaysia?
Answer
The problem of refugees has been a matter of concern not only for Malaysia but the whole world. And whatever the capacities of the host country, this problem requires the cooperation of international and regional organizations, the neighbouring countries and the home countries of the refugees.
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Ard
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Profession
Question
Do the residents of Kuala Lumpur support or disapprove of mandatory religious education for all children?
Answer
All religious communities in the country have their approprite religious education and even their own schools catering for their religious beliefs and traditions. No one is forced to take religious education that is alien to their own religion.
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Editor
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Profession
Question
Where do you envision Malaysia to be 50 years from now?
Answer
Only an omniscient being or an adventurous forecaster can answer that question.
Name
Rehmat
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Profession
Question
How prevalent is religious intolerance in the Malaysia of today as contrasted with 50 years ago?
Answer
I think the country has increasingly become tolerant and highly appreciative of its religious and ethnic diversity. Had it not been the case, we would not have been able to see the many achievements and the sustained stabilty the country has enjoyed compared to many countries that are richer in terms of natural resources and more homogeneous religiously and racially.
Name
Tamer
- Egypt
Profession
Question
Malaysia is undoubtedly seen as one of the very few success stories in the modern Muslim world where technological and economic developments are progressing at high pace, making it a model many Arab nations hope to immitate.
What are three major lessons that can be readily transferred to an Arab nation to transform it to another Malaysia? And what are three mistakes made by Malaysia which Arab states should avoid repeating?
Answer
As I pointed out earlier, clarity of vision and objectives, steadiness in action and implementation, continuity and resolution can greatly explain the Malaysian success story.
It is difficult for me to see that Malaysia has fallen in fatal mistakes that I should caution other countries against. Anyhow, many factors affect the way a people and its leadership find out their path to the future. But commitment and integrity will always remain a sine qua non condition for any good socio-political movement of change.
Name
awang
- Malaysia
Profession
student
Question
What lies ahead for Malaysia?
Answer
It is the duty of all Malaysians to be ready for the future and prevent any destructive forces from diverting the country out of its track.
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Editor
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Profession
Question
In closing, what is the one message or lesson that you would like Malaysians and others to derive from the 50 Years of Independence?
Answer
To live up to the true spirit of independence, be self-confident, and equip oneself with the proper means to attain one's national goals.
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Host
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Profession
Question
This session has come to an end.
We would like to thank Dr. Mohamed El-Tahir El-Mesawi for speaking to IslamOnline.net viewers today, and we also thank all those who participated in this dialogue.
We apologize for not being able to accommodate any further questions. We request our readers to join us in the upcoming sessions.
Please email feedback and suggestions to Art & Culture.
IslamOnline.net Art and Culture Desk
Answer
I once again should thank Islamonline for giving this opportunity to reflect on the auspicious occasion of Malaysia independence and the lessons it may bear to other Muslim and Third World countries. May you get the best of rewards for the good work you are doing.
