MARAN, Sept 4 — Muslims were reminded to avoid condemning or insulting other religions and the followers with their actions, but instead follow true Islamic teachings by respecting other religions.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said their offending actions could have detrimental effects as those who felt insulted could respond in a worse manner, hence causing racial disunity.
Quoting verse 108 in the Al-An’am chapter of the Quran, he said Muslims were also forbidden from insulting or desecrating anything that the followers of other religions worshipped so that they would in turn show respect for Islam.
He was speaking after breaking fast and performing Maghrib prayer with about 1,000 residents of Mukim Chenor at the Chenor Jamek Mosque, here, today. Also present were his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and Chenor assemblyman Datuk Tan Mohd Aminuddin Ishak.
Najib said Prophet Muhammad himself, when setting up the first Islamic state in Medina and drawing up the Constitution of Medina, made Islam the thrust of his administration but allowed the practice of other religions.
“This enabled the people of Medina to live in peace. In our country too, we have big minority groups....God willing, we will remain a peaceful country. If there have been no peace, we would not see rapid development in our country today.”
Najib also called on Muslims to return to the real religious struggle by avoiding jealousy, hatred, backbiting, confrontation and incitement, and to address the ills such as poverty.
“We must correct the negative perception of the West about Islam and Islamic countries by practising true Islamic teachings so that we can be good role models to others,” he said. — Bernama
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