PETALING JAYA, Nov 2 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today that Muslims should not be “extremely sensitive” or think they are constantly being attacked.

Ahead of the two-day “First International Conference on the World Forum for Muslim Democrats”, the federal Opposition Leader stressed the importance of discourse in promoting the ideals of justice, democracy and freedom in the country.

“We should not train Muslims to be extremely sensitive or feel they are under siege. The siege mentality is a problem... of the West attacking us, the problem of Selangor and Penang being ‘Christianised’, the problem of allowing the Bible to be in Malay and the Malays becoming confused, the problem of touching dogs and immediately turning into dog lovers.

“I think we have a problem,” he said during the dinner at One World Hotel in Petaling Jaya.

The PKR de facto leader said he did not share the sentiment because there needs to be a clear commitment, a reassertion of the Muslim faith in ethical and moral values as well as principles.

“With that issue, the problem is not about dogs or bibles, about churches or Hindu temples.

“The problem is to ensure that Muslims set a good example in terms of the fact that if you entrust a Muslim in office, he will conduct his affairs justly. He is not going to be corrupt and he will not abuse his position.

“Unfortunately, this issue is not addressed,” he said.

The former deputy minister also said the freedom of expression among students lacks support, in a tacit reference to Universiti Malaya’s decision to ban an event organised by the student council, with Anwar as the main speaker last Monday night, the day before the appeal hearing to overturn his second sodomy conviction.