PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim advised students participating in Islamic movements not to adopt a "narrow" approach.

Instead, Anwar said, they should not forget the principle of love in the religion, especially in multi-racial country like Malaysia.

"If we adopt a narrow and restrictive approach to Islam, we would only show an attitude of animosity and disrespect to other cultures," he told students during a talk at Universiti Selangor (Unisel) in Bestari Jaya last night.

Anwar was responding to a question about students' participation in the Islamic movement.

Anwar himself had, during his university days, led the Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim).

He emphasised that the Islamic movement should not be controlled by those who are priggish and hot-tempered.

"To this group of people, Islam is only about punishing people - the harder people are caned, the greater Islam is.

"While in reality, Islam upholds understanding and love," he said.

Such a narrow approach, Anwar added, would only instill fear towards Islam.

RELATED REPORTS

Anwar ticks off student who asked if he was really into sodomy

You've poor character - Anwar lashes those dishing money in PKR polls