PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants mosques in the country to become centres of worship and knowledge which would uplift the prestige and dignity of Muslims.
The prime minister said this is the true meaning and base of a Madani nation, which is to put all policies, including education and economy with the spirit of courtesy, moral and trust.
At the same time, he explained that Muslims should also get close to their non-Muslims colleagues as one family which could live together in peace and wisdom.
"The spirit and values that are cultivated, morals that are emphasised as well as the grace and courtesy will make Malaysia a country that will continue to adhere to Islam.
"We try to get close to all as a family that can uplift the prestige and dignity of the nation together in peace and wisdom," said Anwar in his speech at the 'Majlis Ilmu Madani' event at the Putra Mosque.
The programme is a collaboration between the Prime Minister's Office and the Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and were attended by about 20,000 people who began to gather at the mosque as early as 6 pm.
The event featured two distingushed Muslim scholars, former Egypt Grand Mufti Prof Dr Ali Jum'ah and the founder and principal of Darul Musthafa in Yemen Habib Umar bin Hafidz.
Anwar said the event is an opportunity to listen to the lecture of two major scholars who are full of wisdom.
"Even though this is my second time - yesterday I was with them in Shah Alam (at Majlis Muzakarah Ulama dan Umara) - but when I listen to them, there are differences than our understanding of Islam and religion.
"This is because their views are full of knowledge, based on the Quran and Hadith as well as the teachings of Muslim scholars.
"This makes them icons for Muslims who can deepen their knowledge with sincerity."