Global support for moderates’ movement must to neutralize extremism: Malay PM

NEW YORK - Malaysia has issued a call for the formation of a Global Movement of The Moderates, and urged the international community to join in.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said it was time for moderates of all countries, of all religions to take back the centre, to reclaim the agenda and to marginalize the extremists.

He said attempts to demonise Islam offended the one and a half billion adherents of the religion, adding that it intensified the divide between the broad Muslim world and the West.

The real issue, he had said, was not between Muslims and non-Muslims but between the moderates and the extremists of all religions.

He said the response from the Americans and Malaysians had been good.

According to The Star, he said feedback from think-tank groups in the United States and senior officials of the Obama Administration had been encouraging.

Najib said Malaysia needed the support of other countries and religious figures to galvanise the movement.

Najib is in New York for a six-day visit to attend the 65th United Nations General Assembly. (ANI)