Discussion vital in strengthening Islamic missionary work — Nasir

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KOTA KINABALU: A round-table discussion is extremely useful when it comes to learning, debating and exchanging ideas in how to strengthen Islamic missionary work in the State.

Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nasir Tun Sakaran said a round-table discussion had always been a platform for leaders of Islamic agencies, NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and organisations in Sabah to introduce Islam.

“In Sabah we have one per cent or 26,597 of the total Sabahans who do not believe in any religion.

“This is one of the challenges of our Islamic missionaries to plan and strategise how to expand our religion to these people.”

Nasir said it is important to divide the Islamic activity by knowledge-based, where serious programmes and relaxing activities must be done according to the age.

He added that the younger generation might be interested in programme that is attached to entertainment and there would be a smart plan needed to tackle those groups to understand and believe in Islam.

Nasir said this at the round-table discussion and breaking of the fast ceremony organised by the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) at 1Borneo Grand Balroom on Sunday.

During the event, Nasir handed over donations in cash and hampers to the hardcore poor.

Meanwhile, Jakim Malaysia director Othman Mustapha said Jakim wished to see Sabah as an Islamic missionary development hub in Borneo island as Malacca became an Islamic development hub in Southeast Asia hundreds of years ago.

Othman said historical sources proved that Sabah had been the gateway to Islam in the region.

He added that Lahad Datu had accepted Islam much earlier than Malacca.