PUTRAJAYA, May 21 ― The strength and sanctity of Islam which is often envied must be defended by unity of Muslims, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The deputy prime minister said the first thing that must be done was to set aside everything that was bad including political ideologies and leanings.
“Every effort towards uniting Muslims is good but we must realise there are many outside there who envy the strength of Islam and the unity that has been built.
“They don't want Muslims to be united but want Muslims to be divided like bubbles which are easily separated,” he said when opening the “Zikir Perdana Sedunia” event at Putra Mosque, here, today.
Themed “Islam is Peace”, the ceremony in conjunction with The Night On The 15th Day of Syaaban organised by Tarekat Muktabar Organisation Malaysia (Pertama) was also attended by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom and Pertama president Datuk As'ari Ibrahim.
Ahmad Zahid said he was confident the strength of Islam in the country would continue to be boosted so long as Islam was upheld and used as a way of life, despite being besetted by challenges.
“So long as we hold on to Islam as a way of life, regardless of the organisations or political parties, we can be united so long as all differences are set aside,” he said.
On the organisation of the event, the deputy prime minister said it was something that the government supported so that it could unite all Islamic groups under one roof in the name of Islamic unity.
Taking into consideration the benefits, Ahmad Zahid was confident the government was prepared to meet the full cost of organising such an event if it was held again next year.
“Other than wanting to be an examplary Islamic nation, we also hope such an event can be a platform for Muslims to pray for the prosperity of the nation and its administration,” he said.
Earlier, the deputy prime minister, who arrived at 4pm, performed the Asar prayers, zikir (remembrance of Allah), munajad (communion with Allah), qasidah (singing Arabic poems) and salawat (prayer for peace and prosperity) and reading the yassin verses from the Quran with worshippers at the mosque while waiting for Magrib prayers.
The Zikir was led by Habib Ali Al-saggaf, while the singing of the qasidah was headed by Syeikh Mahmoud Al-Wosabi with the attendance of several qasidah groups comprising students from SM Imtiaz Ulul Albab, Melaka.
The reading of zikir munajad was headed by Sheikh Aleey Abdul Qadir, a preacher from the north of Peninsular Malaysia, and now residing in London. ― Bernama
