Addressing thousands at the Malaysia Bermunajat 2025 gathering held at Masjid Putra, Putrajaya, Anwar underlined the need to strengthen the relationship between ulama (religious scholars) and umara (leaders) in confronting the complex challenges of modernity.
“If we are not aligned—or worse, not anchored in deep understanding and enlightenment—there is no guarantee of safety”, he said.
Organised by the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), the programme—held under the theme ‘Menyatukan Ummah Melalui Munajat dan Ilmu’ (Uniting the Ummah Through Supplication and Knowledge)—aimed to foster unity through spiritual reflection and learning, in line with the values of Malaysia MADANI.
He urged that these institutions be integrated into the national education framework, stressing the importance of enabling their students to access modern skills such as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and AI.
“The children of the pondok must be given space within the modern education system. They must master the digital world—without ever letting go of their Islamic roots”.
Anwar further encouraged Muslims to rediscover the rich traditions of Islamic scholarship—particularly in areas such as Qur’anic sciences, hadith, jurisprudence, education, governance, and even technology—to avoid losing their sense of identity amidst the rapid pace of global change.
He also commended Malaysia’s unique position as a platform where Islamic scholars from around the world are invited to share knowledge freely and with mutual respect.
The event was attended by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, alongside thousands of worshippers.
