‘EMULATE PROPHET IN FOSTERING UNITY’
Mutual affection, respect and love for each other will boost solidarity, says king
YANG di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has called on Malaysians to emulate the ways of Prophet Muhammad in fostering unity and harmony.
Al-Sultan Abdullah said mutual affection and respecting each other, and love for each other, regardless of race and religion, were the principles and character of the Prophet in allowing unity to form naturally.
“In the context of our country, the administration pattern practised by Prophet Muhammad could be a prime example in the formation of unity among the multiracial and multireligious community.
“The Prophet did not neglect the poor and weak so that they were able to rise to their full potential and subsequently contribute to society,” he said at the national-level Maulidur Rasul celebration at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur Sports City, Bukit Jalil here, yesterday.
Present was Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.
Others present included Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa and his deputy, Fuziah Salleh.
Al-Sultan Abdullah said Prophet Muhammad had successfully proven that unity was the main element in governing a multireligious nation.
“This could be seen in Madinah during his time, where the Muslims, Christians and Jews lived in peace and harmony under an administration based on Islamic tolerance and rules.
“In fact, Islam has always stressed universal brotherhood and justice for all, regardless of religion and race.
“Through this approach, the rights of individuals and society would always be preserved.”
Al-Sultan Abdullah hoped that Muslims in the country could practise the teachings of Islam and make Prophet Muhammad a role model.
“His virtues will guide us in character building and self-development.
“(And) his leadership and administration can be a guide for us to build a united nation.”
Al-Sultan Abdullah added: “I am confident that the government will continue to safeguard the rights of people of various faiths and races, as well as help the poor and weak.
“At the same time, ongoing efforts should be made to control radicalism and any form of actions that could jeopardise national harmony.”
Kelantan syarie chief justice Datuk Daud Muhammad was named the recipient of the Maulidur Rasul Perdana Award. He received RM50,000, a plaque and a certificate.
Four others were presented with the Maulidur Rasul Award for their outstanding contributions in promoting Islam and highlighting community issues at the national level and global front.
They are Hospital Mesra Ibadah pioneer Datuk Dr Khalid Ibrahim, who is also Selangor Health director, academician Professor Datuk Dr Asma Ismail and social activists Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye and Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid. They each received RM20,000, a plaque and a certificate.
Themed “Negara Rahmah Ummah Sejahtera”, the grand celebration was attended by more than 8,000 people from 100 contingents, including from governmental and non-governmental bodies and students from higher learning institutions and schools.
The celebration was to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad, which falls on the 12th of Rabiulawal, according to the Muslim calendar, in the year 570 AD in Mecca.