Mahathir favors 'modern' Islam

Mahathir favors 'modern' Islam

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Urging Moslems to evolve their brand of Islam to suit modern times, Malaysia's prime minister said yesterday a more secular, less ritualistic faith was the key to greater success and power.

"Is it sufficient for Moslems to only pray and spend all their time on certain rituals?" Mahathir Mohamad told an assembly of 12,000 worshipers gathered to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, the religion's ancient founder. "Not all ambitions and dreams can be achieved in the wink of an eye."

In his speech, Mahathir chided Moslems, many of whom, he said, limited their practice to prayer and ritual and believed the Islamic way of life should be a preparation for the afterlife.

Moslems should strive to achieve greater worldly success, Mahathir said. He exhorted them to work harder at a time when the country was facing its worst economic crisis in more than a decade. About 60 percent of the 21 million Malaysians are Moslems. The others are Buddhists, Christians and Hindus.