Najib: Choose right leader to uphold Islam
KUALA LUMPUR: Muslims leaders must uphold their role as leaders and of the Islamic faith, so that the Muslim leadership would gain respect and bring blessings not only to Muslims but everyone else in the country.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said it was crucial to defend Islam because of all the accusations and inaccurate information about the religion on the Internet.
Muslims today, he said, were at a crossroads to choose the right leader who would defend and uphold the faith.
Najib said as a Muslim leader, his actions at religious celebrations of non-Muslims in the country were always in accordance with the tenets of Islam.
He said he followed the example set by Prophet Muhammad in showing respect towards other religions.
“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 others but without failing in terms of our own faith,” he said when closing the 2012 national assembly of Muslim scholars, intellectuals and virtual writers here yesterday.
Commenting on his attendance at the Thaipusam celebration at Batu Caves recently, Najib said he was relieved when Perak mufti Tan Sri Dr Harussani Zakaria said his actions did not contravene Islamic laws and this was confirmed by the National Fatwa Council.
“I had explained to him (Harussani) why I was there. I did not enter the temple or participate in the religious ceremony. I also only spoke on the socio-economic issue of Indians of the Hindu faith.”
On the opposition’s call to amend certain archaic laws which were unIslamic, Najib said the laws were not “old”, adding that Singapore used a similar law.
Najib also called on Islamic scholars, intellectuals and virtual writers to safeguard the interests and dignity of Islam.
He said these groups should be sensitive to current developments and changes in government policies so that they would be able to disseminate information accurately and credibly.
They should cooperate among themselves and with the government to screen all information and filter malicious accusations and slander hurled by irresponsible people.
“It is our responsibility to correct the false information.
“If we remain quiet and choose not to interfere, it would have a negative effect on the religion.
“The consensus between the groups and government will safeguard the interests and dignity of Islam.”
Najib also said in Islam, politics was jihad (struggle), which should be given priority and cannot be separated from the struggle to uphold Islam and championing the interests of Muslims.
“If politics is viewed through this dimension, it becomes a discipline that is closely associated with the role of man on this earth, as the caliphs of God.
“To disseminate the truth and uphold Islam, either by way of writing or speech, it should sprout from good faith and trust with truthful and accurate information that does not confuse listeners,” he said, adding it would strengthen the unity of the ummah and elevate Islam in the eyes of followers of other religions.
Najib said the information technology revolution was something that could not be dismissed, and to face the borderless cyber world, collaboration among groups was paramount so that swift action could be taken to stop the spread of false information.
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