Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced a MADANI Government contribution totaling RM2 million to the Al-Qaradawi Thought Institute to support the development and strengthen research related to the contributions of Sheikh Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi. The Prime Minister made the announcement during the opening ceremony of the Yusuf Al-Qaradawi Thought Seminar and the Al-Qaradawi Thought Institute at Wisma Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) here today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar expressed his personal indebtedness to Al-Qaradawi, citing the profound influence the scholar had on him through ideas, moral support, and a friendship characterized by sincerity. Anwar conveyed his hopes for the initiative to be blessed and to benefit and enlighten the community, as stated in a post on X.

Anwar reminisced about his early interactions and cooperation with Al-Qaradawi during his active years with the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM). He highlighted Al-Qaradawi's role as an agent of change, a 'zeitgeist', who promoted openness in thought and reform in response to contemporary challenges.

He further elaborated on a pivotal moment during the rise of Islamic resurgence in the early 80s when Al-Qaradawi sent a treatise to ABIM leadership. This document emphasized the importance of distancing from hardline stances and maintaining wasatiyyah, or moderation. Anwar believed this advice was crucial during a time when fervor and rigid thought trends were prevalent, hindering the acceptance of differing views.