Government Allocates RM2 Million for Al-Qaradawi Institute to Promote Islamic Scholarship and Contemporary Thought
KUALA LUMPUR: The federal government has approved a RM2 million allocation for the newly established Al-Qaradawi Institute, underscoring its support for initiatives aimed at advancing Islamic scholarship and encouraging the study of contemporary Islamic thought in Malaysia.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the funding during the launch of the Seminar on the Thought of Yusuf Al-Qaradawi and the Al-Qaradawi Institute at the Tun Syed Nasir Cultural Hall in Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) on Tuesday.
According to Anwar, the allocation has been approved by the Ministry of Finance and will be used to support the institute’s establishment as well as its initial operational activities.
He said the amount reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring the institute has sufficient resources to carry out its educational and intellectual agenda effectively.
Anwar remarked that while a smaller allocation would likely have been appreciated, the government considered it important to provide funding that matched the scale and seriousness of the initiative.
The Prime Minister also stressed that efforts to uphold Islamic values should be carried out with wisdom, moderation and sensitivity towards Malaysia’s diverse society.
He said he was uncomfortable with approaches that promote Islam through intimidation or rhetoric that leaves segments of society feeling marginalised or excluded.
Instead, he emphasised that Islamic principles should be presented in ways that foster understanding, justice and inclusivity while respecting the country’s multicultural character.
Anwar said he intends to personally contact Dr Muhammad Al-Qaradawi, the son of the late scholar Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, to inform him of the government’s support for the institute.
He added that he would also send an official letter conveying the successful establishment of the institution.
Beyond the financial allocation, the Prime Minister revealed that the government is considering organising a special programme in the near future to commemorate the intellectual contributions of Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi.
The proposed event would be held in collaboration with the Al-Qaradawi Institute and Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin (UniSIRAJ).
Anwar also said he plans to issue a personal statement discussing the relevance of Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi’s writings on Fiqh al-Daulah, or Islamic principles relating to governance and statecraft, from the perspective of his own experience in politics and public administration.
He recalled having studied the scholar’s writings over many years, including personal notes that Al-Qaradawi had sent to him while he was imprisoned.
Reflecting on their relationship, Anwar shared that the late scholar had once encouraged him to translate some of his works.
Although he initially felt he understood only a portion of the material, he said he remained committed to studying and appreciating the scholar’s intellectual contributions.
Describing Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi as an exceptional thinker, Anwar praised his moral courage, commitment to justice and willingness to speak openly in defence of truth.
He said the scholar’s advocacy of wasatiyyah, or moderation, was firmly rooted in knowledge, rational discourse and respectful dialogue, values that continue to hold relevance in addressing the challenges facing contemporary Muslim societies.
