JOHOR BARU: The Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar urged leaders of different religions in the state to uphold unity in the spirit of ‘Bangsa Johor.’
He said that as leaders of their congregations or parishes, they were responsible for promoting unity among the communities.
"Your job is to unite Bangsa Johor. You may have your respective territories and different religions, but I want to see unity among all of you.
"Religion is very important and I hope you will work together as Johoreans," said Sultan Ibrahim when speaking to a group 16 representatives of non-Muslim religions from Johor who held an audience with the ruler, and later attended a luncheon at Istana Bukit Serene today.
The audience with the Sultan and luncheon lasted almost an hour starting about 12.30pm.
Sultan Ibrahim said the leaders of different religions in Johor are part of Bangsa Johor, regardless of their race or religion, and it was important for people of different races to respect each other.
Among those in the group of 16 religious leaders were Malaysian Buddhist Association Johor division chairman Sit Chan Liang, Malacca-Johor Diocese Bishop Bernard Paul, Johor Baru Gurdwara Sahib president Manjeet Singh and others.
Also present were Johor Tourism, Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong, Johor Religious Council (MAIJ )adviser Datuk Noh Gadut, Johor Mufti Datuk Tahrir Shamsudin and Deputy State Mufti Datuk Yahya Ahmad.