KANGAR, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- Preachers must avoid quarrelling among themselves merely to defend their own personal opinions but to use their religious knowledge and wisdom instead to unite the Muslims.
Ustaz Nouman Ali Khan, who is listed as one of the world's 500 influential Muslims, said the preachers' differing opinions in conveying the teachings of Islam was not a new thing.
"Do not look at the Muslims but see the beautiful teachings of Islam in seeking the truth," he said when replying to a question from the audience during his lecture at the Seri Malaysia hotel, here last night.
An American scholar and preacher from Dallas, USA, Nouman delivered an hour's lecture in English which was translated to Bahasa Malaysia.
Nouman was in Perlis to give a lecture in conjunction with Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) Convocation Fiesta, which concluded last night.
The Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, the Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail and Raja Puan Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil were present.
Organised by the Perlis Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPs), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), State Department of Islamic Affairs and Perlis Mufti Department, the lecture was also attended by 100 preachers from across the country.
Nouman said non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should play a unifying role for different preachers who are working on various platforms.
"Today, religion is an industry with a market filled with stiff competition for influences. Hence, we should not allow the anti-Islam propaganda to exploit the situation," he said.
Nouman added that intellectuals were attracted to wisdom while the majority group need sound advice or maw'izah.
"These two groups should be managed with differing approaches. Preaching of Islam is not rigid. Every group should be managed in different ways," he added.
Nouman also presented a book he co-wrote with Sharif Randhawa entitled 'Divine Speech - Exploring The Quran As Literature' to the Raja of Perlis and Raja Muda of Perlis at the end of his lecture.
--BERNAMA
