Najib Says He Upholds Islamic Faith In Respecting Other Religions

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today his every action at religious celebrations of non-Muslims in the country is in accordance with the permissible tenets of Islam.

The prime minister said he emulated the example set by Prophet Muhammad in showing respect for other religions without any breach of the Islamic faith.

"I uphold my faith. I also uphold my role as a Muslim leader. We must follow the ways of the Prophet in respecting the religions of other people without failing in terms of our own faith," he said when closing the 2012 National Assembly of Muslim Scholars, Intellectuals and Virtual Writers at the Putra World Trade Centre, here.

Najib said that in this way, Muslims and Islam would gain respect and the Muslim leadership would bring blessings to not only Muslims but also all the people in the country.

Touching on the statement by Perak Mufti Tan Sri Dr Harussani Zakaria on his (Najib's) presence at the Thaipusam celebration at Batu Caves recently, Najib said he was relieved when the former said that his actions had not contravened Islamic laws and that this was also confirmed by the National Fatwa (Edict) Council.

"I explained to him (Dr Harussani) why I was there and where I was at that time," he said, adding that he did not enter the (temple) proper or participate in the religious ceremony and that he spoke on the socio-economic issue of Indians of the Hindu faith.