Johor Baharu - Failure of the Muslims to appreciate the teachings contained in the Al-Quran, which requires them to acquire knowledge in the various fields, has caused the Muslims to be backward compared to the other races, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
The Prime Minister said the failure to appreciate the teachings of the holy book had also resulted in the Muslim nations to be shackled by poverty and problems of illiteracy.
"Muslims must follow the footsteps of those early Muslim intellectuals who had mastered the various fields of studies such as medicines, astronomy, mathematics and various other disciplines during the glorious Islamic civilisation," he said in his speech at the `Tadarrus Al-Quran` organised by the Johor Umno Liaison Body at the official residence of the Johor Menteri Besar, Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, here Sunday.
Also present at the function were International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.
Other leaders present were Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad and Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.
After the `Tadarrus Al-Quran`, Abdullah and the Johor Umno leaders attended a breaking of the fast with Umno members before performing the Maghrib and Isyak prayers at the same venue.
The Prime Minister also performed the Tarawih prayers with those present.
Source: http://www.bernama.com.my (September 21, 2008)