PUTRAJAYA: The first meeting of the reactivated Inter-Faith Harmony Committee (Harmony Committee) will be held next month, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.
He said the committee meeting, which acts as a medium of discussion between religious leaders to resolve issues related to religion and race, would be co-chaired by him and National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.
“I had previously requested that the National Unity Minister (Aaron) reactivate the Harmony Committee. This is because this committee plays an important role in organising various programmes for the purpose of strengthening unity between races.
“The minister (Aaron) accepted the proposal. This is a reflection of the spirit of togetherness between us,” he said at a press conference after attending the national-level 1445 Hijrah/2023 Maulidur Rasul celebration here yesterday.
Mohd Na’im said that the reactivation of the committee, which was established on Aug 14, 2020, had enabled his department to empower the wasati (moderate) Islamic approach and explain to non-Muslims that Islam was a religion of rahmah (mercy).
“The wasati approach is used because it is not too extreme, conservative or stagnant, nor is it too loose and straying from authentic Islamic disciplines,” he said, Bernama reported.
In another development, Mohd Na’im said that he would hold a meeting with Ipoh Timur MP Howard Lee Chuan How in the near future to explain to him the discipline related to the interpretation of verses from the Quran.
“This is a harmonious approach. Insya-Allah, if there is an engagement such as this with non-Muslims, they will be able to accept Islam as a religion of rahmah,” he said.
On Sept 26, Lee issued a public apology for his act of quoting a Quran verse in a video clip on his social media page.
In his speech earlier, Mohd Na’m said Muslims needed to use social media beneficially by sharing content that carries a message of goodwill and avoiding divisive content.
Mohd Na’im said it was inappropriate for Muslims to portray the holy religion of Islam as extreme, with contents of bigotry and fanatical bias on social media.
“This kind of perception goes contrary to the words and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, who taught Muslims to have mutual respect, be open-minded, and maintain good morals in the face of differing opinions.
“The same goes for content on social media that involves current news, religious issues and the law,” he said, adding that Muslims should be peacemakers calling for love and unification of the ummah because such traits are everyone’s responsibility to the country.
“Let’s not be divisive individuals who cause chaos, start provocations, and spread slander. Don’t breach the harmony enjoyed by the community,” he said.
He also advised Muslims not to become like “api dalam sekam” (fire smouldering in husks), who deliberately use religious and racial sentiments as weapons to gain support and promote self-interest.
He expressed hope that the State Mufti Departments would play their roles by enlightening Muslims on how to deal with slander and discord, as these tend to lead to division.
