‘Onus on parents, teachers to equip young Muslims with true Islamic teachings’

LAWAS: Muslim teachers and parents share the responsibility of instilling in the younger generation the true Islamic teaching that advocates love for Allah, mankind and nature which reject the ideology of extremism and violence as propagated by extremist groups such as ISIS.

Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan observed that all the atrocities committed by ISIS and extremist groups such as rapes and merciless beheadings had negatively resulted in portraying Islam as a religion associated with violence and terrorism.

“Make sure that our young ones grow up with guidance to the right path. We must strive to not let them deviate from the true teachings of Islam, which advocates love, moderation and the pursuit of knowledge.

“Our young must be taught the Quran and equipped with the knowledge of ‘fardhu ain’ (personal obligations) and ‘ fardhu kifayah’ (communal obligations),” he said after performing the closing ceremony of the fourth ‘Khatamal Quran Perdana’ programme at Masjid Darul Ma’mor here on Saturday, which involved Muslim pupils from 10 primary schools from around this district.

Awang Tengah added it was vital for Muslims to pursue both religious and non-religious knowledge.

“We should strive to master other languages such as English, as well as the knowledge in science and technology. This is among the very hallmarks of any progressive civilisation. Most importantly, this awareness should begin from young. There have been times when I met non-Muslims who practised the very essence of what Islam has always been advocating to its followers.

“Look at the Japanese — they are so committed to discipline and cleanliness that it’s almost impossible to find a single piece of rubbish on the streets, where public rubbish bins are rare.” Awang Tengah also urged the Muslims here to always be united and avoid factionalism among them at all costs.

Later, the minister announced an allocation of RM20,000 for the organiser to host future events.

Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong and Lawas District Officer Hussaini Hakim were among the guests of honour at the Saturday night programme.