KUANTAN: The sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has expressed concern over six deviant teaching groups that remain active in the state.
Al-Sultan Abdullah said there were once 34 deviant teachings groups in Pahang, but the number has gradually declined due to various factors.
"I am deeply aggrieved that two of the six remaining deviant teachings in the state are currently active in my hometown of Pekan.
"I have instructed authorities to investigate the groups involved in these deviant teachings to ensure they do not gain further foothold and cause undesirable consequences," he said in his address at the state-level Maulidur Rasul celebration at the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Jubilee Hall.
Also in attendance were the Tengku Ampuan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah; Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk SeriWan Rosdy Wan Ismail; and the State Committee for Islamic Affairs, Rural Development, and Orang Asli Affairs chairman Datuk Seri Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad.
Al-Sultan Abdullah urged the public to act as the eyes and ears of authorities by reporting any information about the emergence of deviant groups in their areas as such collective efforts could help eliminate such teachings from the state.
He advised the people to assess any deviant teachings before becoming influenced, and expressed hope that such teachings would not take root further in the state.
Meanwhile, Al-Sultan Abdullah called for unity among all parties, including political leaders, in safeguarding the sanctity of Islam.
While political differences are expected in a country that practices democracy, he said the religion should rise above these differences for the benefit of the ummah.
"As the Malay saying goes, 'biduk lalu, kiambang bertaut'..berkelahi di hujung batang, berbaik di pangkal batang,' which means despite our differences and disagreements, we must ultimately come together for the common good.
"I urge everyone to increase their praises to the beloved Prophet Muhammad, especially in these challenging times, as the world faces various crises, tests, and the trials in the end of days."