KUANTAN: In an atmosphere where Islam is often put under pressure globally, Muslims must close ranks and defend the religion.
Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah called upon all Muslims to work together with the sole aim of upholding the Islamic cause.
"In times when Islam is always under pressure around the world, we should be committed and display the desire to 'rapatkan saf' (close ranks), or partnership as Muslims. Although Malaysia has a small Muslim population compared to other countries, we should not be at crossroads that would divide us.
"Although each of us (Muslims) in Malaysia, especially in Pahang, have different DNA, the desire towards upholding Islam has to be the same... one heart, one soul, one mind and deploying one single method to implement it," he said when delivering his royal address at the closing of the International Conference on Contemporary Education in the Islamic World (ICCEIW) here on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Al-Sultan Abdullah said Islamophobia was among the factors that could put Muslims around the world under pressure as it gives a false perception and causes fear among other races.
"Muslims should not support any violence especially involving Muslim countries. Furthermore when such an act occurs in Palestine then we should be 100 per cent against it. We have to stand up against excessive violence.
"In the past, ISIS (Islamic militant group Islamic State) had tarnished the image of Islam and left people, including Muslims, in fear. Their method of deploying force is not our culture and this is not practised in our country... our Islamic practices are based on the principles of devotion to Allah," he said.
On the inaugural ICCEIW which began on April 5, Al-Sultan Abdullah said the conference gathered delegates from 28 countries, with a total of 100 presenters and 128 participants.
"I certainly hope all the discussions and relevant suggestions can be put forward to the government so that we can study it. The conference serves as a platform for exchanging ideas and collaboratively formulating strategies to tackle the challenges in education today," he said.
Also present was Tengku Mahkota Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.