KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 — King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia today advised muftis in Malaysia to remain united and uphold Islam. 

This was contained in the message delivered by His Majesty to the 14 state muftis at an audience with the monarch at a hotel here, according to Federal Territories Mufti Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri. 

He said the King, in his interaction in Arabic, also emphasised the importance of the muftis playing a role to help Muslims in the country. 

"The audience had a great impact on the muftis and was historic in terms of Malaysia-Saudi Arabia relations. 

"The King wanted us to remain united, maintain contact with one another and play our role to uphold Islam,” he said to reporters after the audience. 

King Salman is on a four-day state visit to Malaysia from Sunday at the invitation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V.

It is the King’s maiden visit to the country since ascending the throne in 2015.

Defence Minister and Minister-in-Attendance Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom also attended the audience.

Zulkifli, speaking for all the muftis, said he spoke in Arabic and conveyed gratitude to King Salman and the Saudi Arabian government, particularly in the management of Malaysian pilgrims during the Haj and umrah.

"We hope that the Saudi Arabian government will increase the annual quota of Malaysian pilgrims going to the Holy Land,” he said.  — Bernama