Malaysia

Don’t use free speech to insult, ridicule religions, urges Agong

King fears such acts will fuel racism, destroy unity in multiracial Malaysia

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 29 Jul 2022 11:31PM

Don’t use free speech to insult, ridicule religions, urges Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah speaks at the national-level Ma’al Hijrah 1444H celebration at the Federal Territory Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, tonight. – @bernamadotcom Twitter pic, July 29, 2022

KUALA LUMPUR – The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah decreed that people should never belittle, insult or ridicule religions in the name of freedom of expression.

The king also urged that the sanctity of all religions be preserved and respected at all times.

“Religion is not something to be joked about and used as a joke.

“I am afraid that such an act will fuel the flames of racism and destroy the bond of unity between all races that has been built for a long time,” the king said in conjunction with the national-level Ma’al Hijrah 1444H celebration and the recitation of yassin, in conjunction with Warriors’ Day at the Federal Territory Mosque here, tonight.

Also present was Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad and the cabinet ministers were also in attendance.

The king also called on the public to safeguard the blessings of this independent and sovereign country.

“May Allah SWT illuminate our hearts and souls with the spirit of peace, avoid the traits that can invite division and protect this beloved country from any calamity and danger,” he said.

The king said in line with this year’s Ma’al Hijrah theme, “Keluarga Malaysia Pemangkin Kemakmuran,” the hijrah (migration) of Prophet Muhammad should be used as a guide to building a stable and glorious future for the country.

The king said following the great event, an Islamic country was born, which became the starting point for the development and spread of Islam throughout the world.

The king added that the construction of Madinah is the true reality of the unity of the plural society of an Islamic country, which is the most successful in the political history of the world.

“The unity was successfully achieved through the agreement of all races and religions, based on the Charter of Madinah,” the king said.

Therefore, the king urged that efforts should be made so that all people, regardless of race or religion, can live in unity, peace and prosperity under the sovereign ruler, and uphold the federal constitution.

By appreciating the Sirah (history) Rasulullah, the king said the unity of a pluralistic society can be achieved by respecting and understanding the existing diversity.

The king also said that today’s hijrah places demands on Muslims not only in terms of migration, but it involves the transformation of the mind to form a culture based on morality and ethics.

“Being malicious, jealous and always finding fault with others are reprehensible traits that Allah SWT dislikes,” the king said.

“These traits bring negative effects that can obscure the principles of justice and equality, until eventually collapsing and dividing the unity of the ummah and erasing the history of the nation’s civilisation.” – Bernama, July 29, 2022

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