Agong Advises Malaysians To Practise Social Moderation

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- Yang di- Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin today advised Malaysians to always exercise moderation in all their practices.

The King said social moderation meant people should act in a civil manner in anything, and not act rashly and cruelly towards anyone.

"The people should also not blow up small disagreements and instead resolve them amicably," Tuanku Mizan said in his speech at the national-level 1433H Maal Hijrah celebration at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, here.

Also present were Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and wife Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman, and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.

The theme for the celebration this time is 'Mutual Understanding the Foundation for Unity of the Ummah (Community)'.

The King expressed concern with the current social situation in the country, with people becoming increasingly individualistic, although he was satisfied with Malaysia's economic achievements and rapid development as a developing country.

Tuanku Mizan said he wanted to see noble values such as mutual love and respect being fostered and practised from the home so as to create a loving, united society with a high level of mutual understanding and strong sense of oneness.

"I really hope the spirit of good neighbourliness and oneness will flourish again so that the people in this country can go through their daily lives in a state of increased harmony and love for one another," he said.

Tuanku Mizan also advised the country's multiracial, multicultural and multireligious people to understand each other's needs and to respect the dissimilarities.

Therefore, the King said, he wanted Muslims to be best example in applying the concept of mutual understanding regardless of their status and background.

According to him, only with mutual respect and understanding could a truly united society be created in this country.

"We should know and realise that the country's peace is closely linked to unity of the ummah, as it's impossible for a country to be peaceful if there is chaos in its society," he said.

Tuanku Mizan said he also wanted to see the harmony currently enjoyed to be inherited by future generations.

Jamil Khir, in calling on Muslims in Malaysia and other parts of the world to promote understanding and mutual respect for unity of the ummah, said they should learn from Islamic history, especially how Prophet Muhammad could unite the Muhajirins and Ansars as early as during his flight from Mecca to Medina, which led to the creation of strong, united Islamic community at that time.

"Unity begins with mutual understanding with strong religious faith as the foundation," he said, adding that why this theme was chosen for this year's Maal Hijrah celebration.

At the ceremony, Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Husin, 69, who is the National Fatwa Council chairman, was bestowed the National Tokoh Maal Hijrah Award 1433H.

He received RM100,000 from the government, RM10,000 from the Ubaidi Foundation, a medal, plaque and certificate of appreciation.

The recipient of the International Maal Hijrah Award 1433H, Saudi Arabia's Haj Minister Dr Fouad Abdul Salam, 65, was, however, unable to attend today's ceremony. He will receive the award at another date.