HIS Majesty the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, has stressed that the construction of any house of worship in the state must strictly comply with established laws and regulations in order to preserve harmony within its multi-ethnic society.
His Majesty warned that building places of worship without going through proper legal channels not only breaches regulations but also risks creating misunderstanding and tension between different racial and religious communities.
“These laws are not intended to restrict, nor to oppress, but to coordinate and to guarantee justice and shared harmony,” the Sultan said in a statement shared via the Pahang Sultanate’s official Facebook page.
He delivered the remarks while officiating at the renaming ceremony of the Taman Bukit Bendera Mosque in Mentakab as Masjid Tengku Amir Ibrahim Sultan Abdullah on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the Sultan cautioned that actions taken unilaterally, without reference to existing rules, could lead to confusion and disputes within society.
“It is like building a house without a plan; in the end, it will collapse to the ground,” he said.
Al-Sultan Abdullah emphasised that Pahang requires order and due process, not hasty actions that could provoke discord.
He called upon the relevant authorities and local councils, including committees overseeing non-Muslim houses of worship, the Islamic Religious Department and community leaders, to work together to clarify procedures and provide proper guidance to the public.
At the same time, the Sultan reminded the people to act with maturity and responsibility in all matters to safeguard the unity of the state.
In a separate posting, the Pahang Sultanate shared details of the royal engagement marking the proclamation of the mosque’s new name.
His Majesty was accompanied by the Tengku Ampuan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, and the Crown Prince of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah.
During the ceremony, the Sultan reminded congregants that a mosque should not merely stand as an imposing physical structure, but must be enlivened as a spiritual garden that calms the heart, enlightens the mind and serves as a canopy of mercy for the community.
“Safeguard unity as we safeguard the flame in a lamp. It is small if neglected, yet can be extinguished if not protected. But if nurtured with love and wisdom, it will continue to burn brightly, illuminating our shared life,” he said. - February 25, 2026
