Muslims nowadays seem to have forgotten that they are expected to share the blessings of Allah.

Instead, most Muslims have become rigid and narrow, believing that there is only one way in looking at things.

Former Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan shared this with the audience in his speech on the role of Muslim democrats at the World Forum for Muslim Democrats yesterday.

“I don't think Islam was revealed so that it should be certain and absolute; that humans don't have space for ijtihad (independent reasoning),” Surin ( right ) said.

Reminding Muslims that they have to be good human beings in a global setting, he said he believes Indonesia and Malaysia are reflecting norms, values and characters that would allow good Muslims to emerge and become good Muslims in a global setting.

Surin had earlier lamented how “Muslims today are either cause of conflicts, victims of violence and confrontations or parties to violent conflicts”.

He also pointed out how countries that call themselves ‘Islamic’ are somehow in trouble, citing Libya and Pakistan.

'Duty of Muslim democrats to be tolerant'

Meanwhile, relating how he was advised by his grandfather to be humble, Surin lamented how Muslims had somehow lost the tradition of tolerance.

As such, it is the duty of Muslim democrats to be tolerant and humble, as well as be willing to engage and prepared to concede.

“You have to be certain of your ideas, but you must also be open for change and transformation,” said the former foreign minister of Thailand.

“Often times we take matters into our own hands. We must be mindful that although we think we are right, we cannot convince others to see it because it has to be proven through a process.”