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Ulamas Accused of Slander, Causing Disunity Among Muslims in Malaysia
By Kazi Mahmood, IslamOnline Correspondent
JAKARTA, Dec. 20 (IslamOnline) - Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi earlier this week said that slanders and allegations hurled by certain members of the
Ulamas (religious scholars) were contributing to disunity among Muslims in the country.
Such ulamas did not help in the progress of Islam and its followers and should therefore be ignored, he said.
"Slandering is more dangerous than committing murder. According to our religion, we need to watch our words...we should not be saying things that lead to slander," he told reporters at his Eid al-Fitri open house at the Putra World Trade Center.
The deputy prime minister said Islam's image must be safeguarded, but this would be difficult to do if Muslims fought among themselves.
Meanwhile the Malaysian king, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail, has said the celebration of Eid al-Fitri exemplifies to the world that Islam is not a religion that supports terrorism.
He added that Islam is a religion that promotes unity and friendship among all humankind.
"Hence, I urge all Muslims in this country to try to forget all quarrels and disputes and instead pool their efforts to enhance the dignity of Islam as a religion of unity which opposes terrorism," Jamalullail said in his Hari Raya Eid al-Fitri message.
In celebrating the joy of Eid this year, the king urged the people to help strengthen the country's economy by supporting and implementing the measures taken by the government leadership.
"This is because Hari Raya Eid al-Fitri this time is being celebrated in a world economic situation that is shaky and to some extent has affected this country's economy," said Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin.
The King noted that festive celebrations in Malaysia had become unique in that it was not only celebrated by the particular community but by people of all races and religions.
"The best example of this is Hari Raya [Eid al-Fitri] itself," said the Malaysian monarch. "Malaysians of different races and religions are also celebrating together with Muslims by visiting their houses. This in itself will promote unity among the people and be the nucleus for national stability."
He expressed the hope this practice would be preserved as a form of culture in molding a harmonious nation.
"To my non-Muslim subjects," said the king, "I hope you too will celebrate with your Muslim friends and may this further strengthen unity among the various races in this land which we love."
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