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Misinterpretation Of Jihad Must Be Corrected- King
By
Kazi Mahmood, IOL South East Asia Correspondent
JAKARTA,
March 11 (IslamOnline) - Malaysia’s King Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin
said Monday that the narrow interpretation of the concept of jihad
and martyrdom by some Muslims in Malaysia should be corrected, the
official news agency of Malaysia reported.
He said the concept must be corrected so that the exhortations of
Islam will bring more meaningful progress to the Ummah and the
country.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin said the people should return to the true
calls of Jihad to attain outstanding success in all aspects of life
for their well being in this world and the hereafter.
The
King supports the ideas of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who
urged Malaysians last year not to follow the jihad that means Holy
war against enemies.
He
asked Malaysians to look into the meaning of jihad in daily lives
and activities, the sacrifices the Muslims must make to stay clear
of illicit activities.
In his speech, the Malaysian king expressed regret that the
misinterpretation of the concept of jihad and martyrdom were among
the Islamic religious issues that had surfaced lately, as this could
affect public order and national security.
He said this Monday in his royal address at the official opening of
the fourth session of the 10th Parliament in Kuala Lumpur.
In
Malaysia, it is the King who is the head of the Government, with the
Prime Minister serving the interests of the nation under him.
However, the King does not have executive powers.
"A
small section of the community is more inclined to view jihad within
narrow limits. The word Jihad is often linked to force, violence and
bloodshed," he said.
His Majesty noted the emergence of religious-based extremist groups,
which resorted to violence to achieve their aims and this
represented a new development in the national security scenario.
Firm measures were being taken by the government to detect and
counter these elements that were a threat to national security, he
said as reported by Bernama.
The King said Malaysia was an Islamic country, which did not at all
jeopardise the lives of the multiracial people, and the freedom of
worship, as provided for in the Federal Constitution.
"On the other hand the entire population feels safe and free
from any form of oppression masked in religion, perpetrated by
Muslims themselves or people of other religions," he said.
Malaysia has arrested more than 50 individuals linked to a terror
group called the Malaysian Mujahidin Group (KMM).
Mahathir
Mohamad said the group was using the narrow interpretation of jihad
in order to overthrow his regime and establish a pan-Islamic state
in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.
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