IPOH: Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah of Perak said that the growing gap between the richest and poorest countries, along with the rise in international conflicts, clearly shows that the global Muslim community is not united.
"In light of the HDI (UN's Human Development Index) trends and the severe conflicts, the focus should once again be on humanity.
"Some of us thrive, while others, even at this very moment, are enduring dreadful hardships and deprivation," he said in his Royal Keynote Address at the 7th World Conference on Islamic Thought and Civilisation (WCIT) at Hotel Casuarina@Meru here, today.
Present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
With this year's theme, 'Together We Stand: Muslims and Global Humanity', Sultan Nazrin said he would like to emphasise the word 'together'.
"And so, today, I want to reflect on how we can support some of the most vulnerable members of our international community particularly those living in poverty and hardship, as well as children from all backgrounds.
"We do not stand 'together' until all of us are standing.
"We must not be content to leave any member of our global community behind. Indeed, it is our duty to help."
Sultan Nazrin said Muslims should strive to support and stand together with everyone.
"So we must take action to help vulnerable Muslims and non-Muslims alike before it is too late," he added, noting that there are already success stories to be shared in this area.
"There is no shying away from the seriousness of the international situation, or the worrying downward trends I highlighted earlier on.
"But there are many reasons for hope – and these, I think, are as important to acknowledge as the warning bells that tell us we are charting the wrong course," he said.
Sultan Nazrin asserted that as Muslims, we share one Kalimah, one Qiblah, and one Quran.
"Our faith unites us through these core foundations, urging us all to stand together. United in this way, even the poorest and most vulnerable can become strong.
"So, given the sheer number of Muslims across the globe and the wealth and privilege that many of us enjoy, we should be able to unite in strength and solidarity to shape the policies that affect the Muslim world and make a positive impact on all of humanity.
"And yet, at the present moment, we have been unable to do anything, to help the millions of Muslims suffering in poverty, or even to help the poor people of Gaza," he said.
Sultan Nazrin said that moving forward, the Muslim community must do more to ensure that collective wealth and power are used to support those less fortunate, for their well-being, the strength of the ummah, and ultimately for humanity itself.
"For I firmly believe that we, as Muslims, have a powerful and positive contribution to make to the global community.
"We must uplift our fellow Muslims so that they, too, can help make the world a brighter, better place for everyone," he said.