KUCHING, June 30: Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud urges Muslims, especially those in Sarawak, to show the beauty of Islam to those who embrace other faiths.
Speaking at a Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house for Islamic agencies at Dewan Majlis Islam here on Friday night, he said Muslims must show to the world that their religion is all about peace and goodness and that they were willing to mix with communities of other religious faiths and cultures without prejudice.
In Sarawak, for instance, he said Muslims mixing with non-Muslims was a normal thing, but it did not happen automatically. Taib said it came about after overcoming many challenges over the years.
“Therefore, I tell you, extremism in any religion for that matter is not going to make people respect your religion. The good in Islam, like any other religion, teaches us to be good with each other, regardless of their race and creed.
“Islam teaches us to have good and strong relationship with others, like the Jews and Christians,” he said.
Taib pointed out that Islam is also a religion that pursues development and advancement alongside people of different faiths for the betterment of everyone.
“We see this in Europe, England, America, and in other places, including South Korea. Therefore we must not think that we are different and, therefore, we cannot mix with communities that are not Muslims. We must show them the goodness in Islam and in practice.
“We (Muslims) have no ill will against those of other religions,” he said. — DayakDaily
