KOTA BAHARU, June 11- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak suggested that Muslims in this country find a common ground and similarities although having differences of opinion and ideology so as to show good example to the non-Muslim community.
He said thinking which leaned towards disunity and animosity should be replaced with values like equity and fairness.
“We must have a positive attitude and not embellish stories that we hear of and we need to think of good and bad consequences (of our actions),” he said in his speech at the opening of the 56th National-Level Tilawah Al-Quran or Quran Reciters Assembly at the main hall of the Darul Naim Islamic Complex in Lundang, here, tonight.
Also present were Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakub and his wife Datin Siti Zabidah Abdul Hamid, the prime minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.
Najib said Islam frowned upon instigators who always tried to create animosity among Muslims.
He also called on Muslims to together protect the sanctity of Islam and to foster solidarity in upholding Islam as the official religion of this country.
Najib said disunity would place Muslims on the losing end and provide an opportunity for others to take advantage of their weakness.
“Preparing ourselves to be strong in our religious faith is necessary in facing whatever challenges that come, while empowering ourselves is also very important to gauge our strengths and weaknesses in enhancing the glory of Islam in this country.
“Let us together ensure that what we and our nation are showered with will continue to endow us. We shall continue to build unity and at the same time, reject whatever actions and attempts by those who ridicule the monarchy in their politics of extremism.”
The prime minister said it was incumbent on Muslims to defend their supreme caliph, Prophet Muhammmad, besides the Federal Constitution and the monarchy which had been the foundation for the formation of a civilised and sovereign Malaysia.
Najib said Malaysia was blessed with systematic infrastructure to manage Islam and had vast potential to continue developing further its civilisation based on Islam.
Touching on this year’s theme, “Wasatiyah Tonggak Kesatuan Ummah” (Moderation the Pillar of Unity of the Muslim Community), the prime minister said it called on Muslims to follow a balanced wasatiyah approach propagated by Prophet Muhammad.
He said through the concept, Malaysia had become a developed Muslim country with its people’s unity also translated into good relations with other Muslim countries.
He called on Muslims to champion the Quran by not merely memorising or reading it to gain divine reward but also by understanding and practising its
teachings for the benefit of the whole ummah. The tilawah, held from today until June 14, involves 29 participants from all over the country including Kelantan, which is for the first time in 23 years, sending a woman contestant.
– BERNAMA
