BAGAN DATUK: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says he adopts the philosophical ideas of former president of the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim), Datuk Dr Siddiq Fadzil, in his approach to both official and unofficial duties.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said many of the late Siddiq's thoughts have influenced his work throughout his tenure in the government.
"This includes initiatives such as infusing the concept of 'ulul albab' into all 57 Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) nationwide without compromising academic and professional values, as well as modifying Kemas Tabika (kindergartens) across the country into Pre-Tahfiz kindergartens,” he said when closing the national-level Seminar Fikrah Siddiq Fadzil 2024 at Bagan Datuk MRSM on Monday (Aug 19).
Also present were Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) director-general Dr Hazami Jahari, Wadah Pencerdasan Umat Malaysia (Wadah) president Datuk Ahmad Azam Ab Rahman, and Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM) chairman Prof Datuk Dr Muhammad Nur Manuty.
Ahmad Zahid added that society should broadly interpret the thoughts of the late Siddiq Fadzil to truly understand his philosophy, particularly regarding the concept of wasatiyah or moderation, which he had championed since the 1970s.
Meanwhile, DBP, in a statement, said that the seminar was aimed at appreciating the contributions of this prominent figure in the world of Malay literature and for the nation, as well as exploring his life story and accomplishments.
The seminar, themed ‘Membina Kesatuan Bangsa: Kerukunan Hidup Bersama Dalam Budaya Damai Menerusi Gagasan Malaysia MADANI’, was organised by DBP and WADAH, in collaboration with the Perak government, Universiti Selangor (Unisel), Bagan Datuk MRSM, and Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (Usas).
Siddiq Fadzil, who was also Tokoh Maal Hijrah Peringkat Kebangsaan for 2018, passed away on Aug 31, 2021 due to a lung infection.- Bernama
