MAULIDUR RASUL PROCESSION: Head of State Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Juhar Mahiruddin, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman and cabinet ministers leading the Maulidur Rasul procession from Padang Merdeka to the State Mosque on Thursday. More than 10,000 participated in the procession to commemorate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad.
KOTA KINABALU: Moderation should be a culture that is comprehensively practised in one’s everyday life as taught by the Great Prophet Muhammad to ensure unity, peace, prosperity and development for all.
In line with the theme of this year’s Maulidur Rasul celebration, ‘Moderation, the Pillar for Unity of the Ummah’, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman reminded the people the importance of wasatiyyah or moderation, which was one of the Prophet’s great qualities that made the Islamic city of Madinah a respectable legend admired by many.
“This (practice of moderation) is even more relevant today as shown through recent events whereby certain quarters would continue to try to divide the people through their extreme and fanatic beliefs.
“Fortunately, the government under the leadership of our Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, are well aware of such threats and introduced the concept of ‘wasatiyyah’ into the government administration.
“This is because he believes that such approach will not only contribute to the unity among the Muslim community but will further strengthen the unity and understanding with the non-Muslims as well,” said Musa, at the state-level Maulidur Rasul 1434H celebration yesterday, after a procession which saw 98 contingents participated by some 15,000 people from all over the state.
Head of State Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Juhar Datuk Haji Mahiruddin in his message invited the people to renew their resolution and to strengthen the unity, as it is the key to a nation’s strength and force.
Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department cum organising chairman of the event, Datuk Seri Nasir Tun Sakaran, said in his welcoming speech that extremism is not only contrary to the teachings of Islam but also interferes with the peace and harmony long practised and lived by the people in this country.
Moderation, he said, is vital in preserving the political, economic and social stabilization as taught in Islam.
“Extremism is a result of failing to understand and appreciate the teachings of Islam as it should be, which may negatively affect the country. Hence, introduction of the wasatiyyah concept by the government, inviting the people to practise moderation,” he said.