Malaysian PM Defends $2.2M Quran Distribution Plan
The RM10mil (roughly $2.2 million) allocated under Budget 2023 for the Quran to be translated and distributed worldwide is to help create a deeper understanding of the religion and address Islamophobia, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
One of the causes of Islamophobia is a lack of understanding, he added.
“Why do people say it (the allocation) is a lot? ... We must get people to read the Quran and its translation so that we can understand the religion and save Islam from Islamophobia,” he said after delivering a keynote address at the International Forum on Islamophobia here on Monday (Feb 27).
Anwar said that while there were parties questioning this spending, he believed this initiative would benefit Malaysians as well.
“With deeper understanding, there will be no clash of ideologies, no divisions, no extremes nor violence,” he added.
During the tabling of the revised Budget 2023 on Friday (Feb 24), Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said RM10mil would be allocated to translate and distribute the Quran in Swedish and other foreign languages.
On Jan 27, the Prime Minister announced that the government would print one million copies of the Quran as a symbol of wisdom and maturity to respond to prejudicial and uncivilized attacks on Islam.
Source: thestar.com.my
