Sultan Of Kedah Reminds People To Preserve Harmony

ALOR SETAR, Sept 5 (Bernama) -- The Sultan of Kedah, Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, has urged Muslims in the state to continue safeguarding harmony and to emulate Prophet Muhammad SAW in every aspect of life.

His Royal Highness said it is the responsibility of all citizens to strengthen their identity by empowering the family institution and nurturing a young generation that is knowledgeable, faithful and of noble character, as exemplified by the Prophet.

“I urge all the people of Kedah, regardless of religion, race or background, to preserve harmony and respect one another. I also wish to emphasise that the peace and unity we enjoy today are great blessings that must be appreciated and protected together.

“I deeply value the efforts undertaken by the state government in strengthening economic, educational, welfare and social development.

“Balanced development between the spiritual and the physical is in line with the approach of the Prophet in building the advanced, just and highly principled society of Madinah,” His Royal Highness said at the Kedah state-level Maulidur Rasul celebration here today.

Also present was the Raja Muda of Kedah, Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin.

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor was also in attendance.

Sultan Sallehuddin further expressed hope that the Maulidur Rasul celebration would spark a renewed spirit among Muslims to return to true Islamic values.

“The commemoration of Maulidur Rasul should not be observed merely symbolically, but must be fully appreciated through reflection on the Prophet’s life and character.

“I express my hope that all the people of Kedah will take the Prophet as an example in building character, leading families, driving organisations, and developing society and the state. Honesty, trustworthiness, compassion, respect, tolerance and justice must be practised in daily life,” the Sultan said.

At the event, His Royal Highness also presented the Maulidur Rasul Special Award to Kedah State Zakat Board Officer of New Converts Development and Social Dakwah Division, Mohd Naim Islam Abdullah, while the Tokoh Imam Award was conferred on Mokhtar Zakaria, the Imam of Masjid Jamek Al-Ikram, Kampung Tualang, Yan.

Mohd Naim Islam told reporters later that the award would motivate him to continue preaching and spreading Islam.

Despite facing various challenges, he is willing to shoulder the responsibility of providing Islamic understanding to new converts to prevent confusion about the religion.

“There are certainly many challenges, especially from their families, who oppose and view Islam negatively. Alhamdulillah, I meet their families and share positive input, while making myself an example that after embracing Islam, I still maintain good relations with my parents.

“Islam teaches its followers to obey their parents and preserve good family ties, and Alhamdulillah, I have managed to face these challenges well when they understood this,” said Mohd Naim Islam, who embraced Islam in July 1985.

Mohd Naim Islam said he had received many invitations to give talks to mualaf in the state and across Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA