KUCHING, Nov 9: The state-level Maulidur Rasul celebration was full of colour as 279 contingents involving more than 10,000 participants from Kuching, Samarahan and Serian districts took part in the procession at Padang Merdeka today.
Attended by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, members of the state cabinet and about 1,000 people representing various government agencies, statutory bodies, uniformed organisations, non-governmental organisations, institutions of higher learning, schools and the private sector, he later led the four-kilometre procession which was also participated in by non-Muslim groups.
Abang Johari, in his speech, advised Muslims to practice the true teachings of Islam brought by Prophet Muhammad and to emulate the practices of the prophet in everyday life, including the way he spoke and socialised, to give a positive picture of Islam to other people.
He also advised today’s generation to take note that the repeated tragedies in other parts of the world were the selfish acts of religious and racial extremists, and that they were far from true Islamic teachings.
“Some of them practice deviant teachings. Today, we have Muslims that are divided until they fight against each other and some are even in the favour of the enemies of Islam.
“In Sarawak, we are privileged as our people live in a multi-racial and religious life who respect each other, regardless of race and religion. We do not look lightly at the rights of every religion thus this has always guided the multi-religious and multi-racial society of the state to remain united,” he said. — DayakDaily
