Manila, Philippines - Muslim clerics and scholars from Southeast Asia endorsed on Friday a regional plan to promote and preach home-grown Islam to check the rising influence of radical teachings from the Middle East.
Three days of discussion in Manila on the state of Islamic preaching, education and law in Southeast Asia ended on Friday with a plan to formulate a local method of interpreting Islam, focusing on moderation and development.
"It's a common approach for the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) developed by the people in the region," said Taha Basman, head of the Center of Moderate Muslims, organiser of the international forum.
Mashur bin Ghalib Jundam, head of the Institute of Islamic Studies at the University of the Philippines, said ASEAN should draft a common standard for preaching Islam in the region, to reduce dependence on radical teachings from the Middle East.
"We must emphasise the economic aspect of da'wah (preaching), not just the religious teachings," Haji Ismail Mohamad of Malaysia told reporters, adding that Muslims in Southeast Asia should not rely on teaching materials from wealthy Arab states.
On Thursday, Muslim scholars urged governments to provide more funds to train teachers, produce books and develop local curriculum for madrasas in the region, lessening the influence of Islamic teachings from the Middle East.
Basman said Islam gained a bad reputation due to a few misguided Muslims who had misused the religion to serve their own political interests.
"It's about time the voice of the moderates should be heard," he added.