Agong urges Muslims to set aside differences (Updated)
SERDANG: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah has called for Muslims to put their differences aside and prioritise on strengthening various aspects of Islam in Malaysia.
The King said attempts to improve Islam in the country, including the syariah judiciary, would not succeed if Muslims continue to be divided.
Noting that differences of opinion are allowed in Islam, His Majesty however stressed that it should not reach to a point that could cause rift among Muslims.
"To ensure Muslims are not divided due to differences, I suggest that we take the effort to strengthen unity and improve bond 'ukhuwah Islamiah' (Islamic brotherhood) among ourselves," he said.
"Remember that all efforts leading to the improvement of ummah's (community) sosio-economic development, strengthening of Islamic affairs administration and elevating the syariah legislative and judicial institution would not succeed if Muslims continue to fight and be divided," the King said.
He said this in his speech at the national-level Maal Hijrah celebration 1438H/2016M at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang here.
Also gracing the occasion was the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Hajah Haminah.
Others present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and several other Cabinet members.
Tuanku Abdul Halim said that Muslims should also possess the wisdom to manage their differences in a good manner.
"They need to prioritise on the agenda of unity and must refrain all forms of dispute among themselves," the King said.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said the strengthening of relationship among Muslims in Malaysia should be made as a main agenda.
In his speech, Jamil khir also urged Muslims to be open in accepting differing opinions without leading to hostility.
"Any clashes of views should be handled by following the ethics of disagreement based on the teaching of al-Quran," he said.
More than 10,000 people participated the national level Maal Hijrah celebration, themed "Islamic Brotherhood, Fundamental to Unification of Muslims".
The celebration also saw the participation of 105 contingents from government and private agencies, non-governmental organisations and schools in the yearly Maal Hijrah parade.