‘Look not at differences but practise tolerance’
MIRI: Multiracial Sarawakians are reminded not to look at religious differences but to uphold religious tolerance.
Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said this at the launch of Sarawak Islamic Complex (KIS) Miri on Friday.
Taib said a country would not grow in a healthy manner and be peaceful if religious conflict takes hold.
“We should not look at our differences but see how we can adopt best practices to foster understanding and tolerance.”
He gave Islam as example where the Prophet Muhammad during the migration from Mecca to Madinah managed to unite Muslim and non-Muslim communities in Madinah.
During those days, the Prophet was not only teaching Islam but emphasising the need for people in Madinah to live in peace, tolerance and respect.
Taib therefore called on Muslim leaders in the state to take a lesson from what had been done by Prophet Muhammad in Madinah to encourage cooperation with the non-Muslim community.
“Despite the difference in faith, let’s come together to put all our beautiful aims and efforts together. Only with unity can we continue to contribute to the wellbeing of society.”
Present were Taib’s wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib, Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg
We should not look at our differences but see how we can adopt best practices to foster understanding and tolerance. — Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Head of State
and wife Datin Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, State Legistlative Assembly speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Dr George Chan Hong Nam, assistant ministers, local YBs, chairman of Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) Datu Misnu Taha, and general manager of Sarawak Baitulmal Fund, Datu Abang Mohd Shibli Abang Mohd Nailie.
Thousands of people flocked to KIS Miri for the complex’s launching ceremony at Boulevard Commercial Centre.
The third KIS in Sarawak after Kuching and Sibu it is a new landmark for Miri city.
The symbol of racial unity in the city, the complex houses several government departments and offices among them Islamic Department, Syariah Judicial Department, Miri Resident’s Office, Miri District Office, Welfare Department, Treasury Department, Public Works Department and Forest Department.
The RM113 million KIS Miri with the architecture resembling that of the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain was completed in May 2016.