Preachers Urged To Instil Malaysia MADANI Values, Use Simple Language - Mohd Na’im

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- Preachers are encouraged to instil noble values embodied in the Malaysia MADANI concept and use language easily understood by their target audience to ensure messages are delivered effectively, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.

He said that with Malaysia currently holding the ASEAN Chairmanship, the universal values in Malaysia MADANI should be expanded throughout the region via the volunteer network of the Annual Informal Meeting of Ministers of Religion of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore (MABIMS).

“Of course, MABIMS volunteers play an important role as they go to the ground to meet the target audience, so we hope they can use the right techniques or methodologies in preaching so that the message is effectively conveyed to the community.

“We know the values of sustainability, prosperity, respect and compassion — all of these are emphasised in building a MADANI society, and these values are very close to the essence of Islam itself. We aim to embed and convey them (to the community) through MABIMS volunteers,” he told the media after attending the MABIMS Preaching Volunteers Gathering (HISDAM) programme here today.

The three-day programme, which began yesterday, was jointly organised by the Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM), the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council, and attended by about 200 volunteers.

Mohd Na’im said preachers should also use language that was simple and aligned with local culture so that the message of Islam could be delivered clearly and benefit the target audience.

He said that using overly complex language could cause confusion and hinder understanding of Allah’s commands.

At the event, Mohd Na’im received resolutions adopted during HISDAM from YADIM president Datuk Dr Hasan Bahrom.

Among the resolutions were making HISDAM a regular joint programme to gather preaching volunteers from Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore, as well as a platform to strengthen and unite the regional preaching volunteer movement.

The resolutions also proposed the creation of a sustainable five-year strategic preaching plan (rapid response programme) that was measurable, conclusive and effective in enhancing the impact of volunteer activities.

Other resolutions included establishing a Volunteer Secretariat to coordinate large-scale programmes, developing community socio-economic models by providing regular training and capacity-building for youth volunteers, and creating a digital platform for preaching volunteers as a medium to share information on issues and challenges faced by the ummah.

Mohd Na’im said he had instructed Hasan to explore how the resolutions agreed upon by all HISDAM volunteers could be implemented and utilised for the betterment of Islam in the ASEAN region.

-- BERNAMA