PROF SYUKRI: EMBEDDING ISLAM IN NATION'S DEVELOPMENT

Prof Syukri at KITA.

On 24 January, 2019 Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh was at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). He was there on invitation by the Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA) to present and share his views at the Bengkel Acuan Islam Dalam Kehidupan Muslim di Malaysia (Workshop on the Islamic Mould in the Lives of the Muslims in Malaysia) organised by KITA. The workshop which started at 10am was chaired by Dr. Azlina Abdullah (aka Dr. Lynn) from UKM.

Stating the choice to take if embedding Islam is truly wanted and needed.

His presentation topic was on Membudaya & Menyulam KeIslaman Dalam Pembangunan Negara at the Meeting Room of KITA, Tingkat 4, Blok Pentadbiran Kolej Keris Mas, UKM. Prof. Syukri started his presentation by stating the present development worldview that Malaysia is in. He then went on to state that within the purview of such current development worldview, it is highly unlikely that the culturalization and embedding of Islam into the nation's development can be achieved. He cited a few examples of the non-sustainability of the various Islamic-based development approaches experienced in Malaysia especially the top-down approach. 

Prof Syukri explaining his stand to KITA members while on the right is Dr. Lynn. 

According to Prof Syukri, through his empirical research and analysis,  culturalizing and embedding Islam can only be holistically carried out when the mould of the development closely follows that of the Islamic worldview. This has been achieved. However most of these can be found at the grassroot's or at the organisational level as proven in Indonesia and Thailand.

Prof Syukri seen here with Ann Wan Seng (centre) and Prof. Dato' Teo Kok Seng (right).

Besides Prof Syukri, the other panelists for the second part of the morning session was Prof. Dato’ Dr. Teo Kok Seng. and Mr. Ann Wang Seng.