Concept based on acceptance, equality and sharing

(Bernama) TRONOH: The 1Malaysia concept aimed at building a united Malaysia based on the principles of acceptance, equality and sharing among the country’s multiracial and multireligious society is not something alien to the Muslim community.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the community in Medina at the time of Prophet Muhammad was a multi-religious community founded on the principles of acceptance and sharing between the Muslims and non-Muslims.

“The principle of equality in Islam as a just religion also places the importance of fairness in relations between people.

“No one should be marginalised or denied of their rights just because they are of a different religion,” he said at the opening of the 52nd national-level Quran Reciters’ Assembly at the Dewan Canselor, Universiti Teknologi Petronas last night.

The text of Najib’s speech was read by his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Also present were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom.

The prime minister said by imbibing and practising the principles of acceptance, equality and sharing, Malaysia’s multi-religious society could continue to live in peace, prosperity and harmony.

He said in the effort to foster unity in such a multi-religious society, it was important for each citizen to be rid of primitive thinking and reject any form of religious extremism.

“Islam emphasises moderation and justice, so if each religious faithful takes a moderate approach and is fair to people of other faiths, God willing, unity, peace and stability will prevail in this country,” he said.

Najib said besides organising the reciters’ assembly each year to remind Muslims to live their lives guided by the Quran, the government also made other efforts to enhance understanding and the practice of Quranic teachings, hence uplifting the status of Islam.

For this purpose, he added, the government had allocated RM10mil for holders of the Tahfiz Darul Quran (Quran memorising) Diploma to pursue the degree level at the public higher learning institutions.

There are 29 reciters from 14 states taking part in this Tilawah AlQuran with Perak being represented by Shamsul Ariffin Saban @ Supian in the men’s section and Sharifah Khasif Fadzillah Syed Mohd Badiuzzaman in the women’s section.

The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, will close the tilawah on Saturday, with the top reciters in the men’s and women’s categories each receiving RM10,000, a challenge trophy, accompanying trophy, a Haj package, certificate and souvenir.

The runners-up will each receive RM7,000, a souvenir and certificate, while the third placed will get RM5,000, a souvenir and certificate. The consolation prizes for the other participants are RM2,000, a souvenir and certificate each.

The theme of the tilawah this time is “Unity the Catalyst for the Well-Being of the Ummah“.