By Dayangku Hidayatul
ASAJAYA, Oct 29: Future graduates of the Malaysian Islamic Skills Institute of Sarawak (IKMAS) must reject extremism and embrace tolerance to preserve Sarawak’s harmony, says Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He said future leaders must not regard their own race as superior or believe that their religion alone was supreme, especially in Sarawak’s multiracial and multireligious society.
“As I mentioned earlier, whatever we do, especially when we are entrusted with leadership responsibilities, we must never adopt excessively extreme views.
“This applies whether we are leading a family, an organisation, a community, a state or a country.
“Extremism is always very dangerous. We must practise tolerance and moderation,” he told reporters.
He said this after officiating the closing ceremony of IKMAS 25th Menyemai Bakti programme at Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Abang Ikhwan Zaini Hall, Asajaya District Office, today.
Abdul Karim said this principle was particularly important for IKMAS students who would eventually serve as religious preachers and guide communities.
He added that divisions could emerge when people considered their own race superior to others or believed that their religion alone was the best.
On extremism among Sarawak’s youth, Abdul Karim said he had not observed significant levels of extremism among them.
However, he cautioned that extremism could spread if left unchecked.
Meanwhile, more than 56 IKMAS students took part in the adopted-family programme in Asajaya and Sadong Jaya to gain community experience before graduating.
The programme also provided food and food baskets to asnaf, with Abdul Karim hoping IKMAS would organise similar initiatives in other villages. — DayakDaily
