In an interview with Lebanese television station al-Mayadeen, Shaykh Abdul-Ghani Shamsuddin, the secretary of the Association of Muslims Scholars of Southeast Asia, stated in response to a question about the causes of insecurity and killings throughout the Islamic world that there are many Quranic verses and narrations and statements by great Muslim scholars about the importance of thought and wisdom.
 
He stated that the increased knowledge of Islam is one of the ways of spreading awareness and consciousness of about pure Islam among the people. He stressed the necessary of reviewing and being aware of the current events and problems of the Islamic world and warned that Muslims must be vigilant. “With full awareness of the realities of the region, Muslims can adopt an appropriate position and stance,” he said.
 
The Malaysian Sunni scholar stressed that if Muslims do not examine the history and realities of the past, there will be dire consequences.
 
Shaykh Shamsuddin said that the cause of division between Muslim communities and the scholars is due to differences in knowledge and the various understandings of Islam and said that increased awareness of the future and detailed planning for the future will lead to an increase in knowledge and solve some of the problems of the region, which include extremism. The concept of ‘resistance scholars’ must be made clear so that we know what we want in the future.
 
The secretary of the Association of Muslims Scholars of Southeast Asia stated that another way of resolving conflicts in the Islamic world is for Muslims to participate in the decisions affecting them. He added that the Islamic Revolution led by Imam Khomeini (RA) led Iran from away from tyranny and allowed the people to participate in government decisions at the highest levels for the first time ever.
 
His Eminence said that the system of the Islamic Republic of Iran which is based on wise leadership, placing scholars at the head of government, consultation based on Islamic principles, freedom of expression, and the preservation Islamic identity have been the source of blessings and divine mercy for Iran. “The lies spread by some Arab countries against Iran cannot prevent it from progressing,” he said.
 
Shaykh Shamsuddin stressed the need for human development with culture and the world, saying: “Unfortunately, due to the schemes of imperialistic countries and the Arab world’s support of these schemes, the future of the Islamic world is very vague. By strengthening ourselves and preserving our independence we can resolve most of our problems.”