New Straits Times

‘EMBRACE CHARTER TO BOOST NATION’S UNITY’

Sultan Nazrin calls on Malaysians to ensure country remains harmonious

- SHAMSUL KAMAL AMARUDIN shaka@nstp.com.my

SULTAN of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah has called on Muslims and Malaysians to embrace the philosophi­es in the Constituti­on of Madinah to boost the nation’s unity and prosperity.

He said the Constituti­on of Madinah, also known as Charter of Madinah, was ahead of its time, forecastin­g the reality of the world population’s compositio­n.

Sultan Nazrin said it was created in the spirit of the Quran’s messages, by accepting God’s creation, apart from striving to understand the hidden meaning of the creation of worshipper­s of different religions.

“As the country celebrates its independen­ce anniversar­y, as people remember the date of the inception of sovereign, peaceful, prosperous and thriving Malaysia, and as we revisit the story of hijrah, understand and embrace the spirit of unity behind the establishm­ent of the Charter of Madinah.

“The same goes with the philosophy of unificatio­n in diversity stated in the Federal Constituti­on.

“The unity among Muslims must be strengthen­ed, while the unity among the people of different religions and races must be nurtured to build a calm and harmonious life to develop a peaceful and prosperous country,” said Sultan Nazrin at the state-level Maal Hijrah 1440 celebratio­n themed “Perpaduan Ummah dan Penyatuan Rakyat” (Solidarity of Ummah and Unity of People) yesterday.

Sultan Nazrin said leaders who founded the country were being pragmatic by accepting the reality of a diverse population.

He said the constituti­on was establishe­d based on such a population compositio­n, with justice, protection and rights assured to each individual.

“The principle of toleration and spirit of respecting the many religions is stated in Article 3(1) of the Federal Constituti­on: ‘Islam is the religion of the federation, but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the federation’,” he said.

Gracing the event were Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim, Raja Muda of Perak Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa and Raja Dihilir of Perak Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnai­n Sultan Idris.

Present was Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

 ?? BERNAMA PIC ?? Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah handing over the Tokoh ArRidzuan award to cartoonist Datuk Mohammad Nor Khalid at the the state-level Maal Hijrah 1440 celebratio­n in Ipoh yesterday.
BERNAMA PIC Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah handing over the Tokoh ArRidzuan award to cartoonist Datuk Mohammad Nor Khalid at the the state-level Maal Hijrah 1440 celebratio­n in Ipoh yesterday.

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