Putit (left) greets guests from the Sikh community at the IIC Berbuka Puasa. — Photo by Jeffery Mostapa
KUCHING: All Muslims are to observe the holy month of Ramadan in accordance with the teaching of Islam.
Sarawak Islamic Council chairman Datuk Putit Matzen said all Muslims must know the significance of fasting and should practise it properly to enlighten themselves spiritually and mentally.
“Fasting is a good thing and it is healthy as it allows humans to test their faith in the religion they embrace,” he said before the breaking of fast with communities from various organisations at the Islamic Information Centre (IIC) here recently.
“During the fasting month we must be patient and erase all worldly temptations so that we can focus our desire on spiritual obligations instead of doing things that are all contradictory to the teachings of Islam,” he added.
Putit said the fasting period was short and those practising it accordingly would be blessed and be spiritually stronger in themselves and their faith.
“This is the way our religion can help us and test us in our faith and if you follow the teachings of your faith, it will make you a stronger and better person in life,” he said.
On the breaking of fast with other communities of different faiths, he said there was nothing wrong for Muslims to sit and eat together with other races and faiths as it was a good thing.
“Islam is about sharing and giving and I believe that Muslims and non-Muslims can share good things together. It is a way to bond us with all the faiths and other communities,” he said.
For a state like Sarawak, Putit said it was part of the people’s culture to share with others irrespective of who they are and their background.
“There is nothing in Islam to say that we cannot share and love others, in fact it further enhances unity and harmony in religion so that we learn to respect each other better,” he said.
Putit reminded Muslims during this holy month to continue respecting others irrespective of their religion and have a clear mind so as not to speak evil of others.
“Religion is always about sharing and during this holy month Muslims should not just confine themselves but they can share their spirituality with people of other faiths. And they can do it while breaking fast,” he further reminded.
IIC has been organising the breaking of fast with other faiths as well as other communities and organisations since 2009.
This is to foster goodwill, strengthen relations and enhance understanding among people of various ethnic and multi-religious groups in Sarawak.
Among the guest was the CEO of IIC, Zabariah Mantali.