ALOR STAR: Sultan of Kedah Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah has voiced displeasure at those who use mosques as a platform to spread political ideology and create division among the ummah.
His Majesty reminded Muslims in Kedah to learn how to manage differences of opinions over trivial matters to avoid disunity among the community.
"One of the reasons that has contributed to the split among the community is the inability to manage anger besides being immature in responding to differences in opinions, to the extent of easily losing one's temper and fighting against each other. Whereas, the rifts are just over trivial matters.
"I am urging Muslims to never raise issues that could compromise the unity of the ummah and I totally disagree with certain irresponsible quarters, who use mosques as a medium to play politics, triggering disharmony and disunity among the Muslim community," Sultan Sallehuddin decreed in his speech during the state-level Maal Hijrah Celebration at a hotel here today.
Present was Raja Muda of Kedah Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin.
Also present were Kedah caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, state secretary Datuk Seri Norizan Khazali, State Assembly speaker Datuk Juhari Bulat and state mufti Datuk Syeikh Fadzil Awang.
Sultan Sallehuddin urged Muslims in the state to emulate the true teachings propagated by Prophet Muhammad in uniting the Muhajirin and Ansar communities during his hijrah (migration from Makkah to Madinah 1,445 years ago.
"The move to unite the Muhajirin and Ansar is a lesson to us that the bond of faith, creed and honesty are the pillars in Muslim nation building.
"Without taking things for granted or sidelining cultural beliefs, diversity of races and religion, Prophet Muhammad had formed an agreement and understanding with all communities living in Madinah City.
"The agreement demonstrated Rasulullah SAW's openness in uniting the people, his compassion towards peaceful and safe living, and avoiding infighting among the people.
"All the important matters were taken into consideration before striving for an agreement involving all residents in Madinah, both Muslims and non-Muslims.
"Later on, the Prophet formed an understanding with all the tribe leaders with the Madinah Charter as the guidance for nation building and dignified ummah through mature politics," he said.
Thus, Sultan Sallehuddin urged the Muslim community to fall back on the true Islamic teachings based on the spirit of the al-Quran.
"All these were done in order to preserve and propagate unity while preventing disunity among the ummah. I wish that all Muslims in Kedah will live in unity and preserve harmony," added Sultan Sallehuddin.
At the event, Sultan Sallehuddin also presented the state's Tokoh Maal Hijrah award to Kedah-born Islamic financial icon Tan Sri Dr Mohd Daud Bakar.