ULAMA MUST FORTIFY UNITY, GUIDE COMMUNITY TOWARDS MODERATION

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- Ulama (religious scholars) and preachers must uphold unity, instead of weakening the long-established bonds of brotherhood among Muslims nurtured by earlier scholars.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said the Muslim community must be guided towards becoming a moderate ummah as it faces various challenges, including division, misinformation, misuse of social media and moral issues.

“Therefore, cooperation between ulama and umarak (leaders) is vital to ensure that the response of religious institutions is aligned with religious requirements, public interest and current realities, through approaches that are wise, responsive and balanced,” he said.

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He said this when launching the Al-Falah MADANI Carnival and the national-level Ulama-Umarak Tour Programme at Masjid Mengkuang Titi here today.

Mohd Na’im said collaboration between ulama and umarak has long been a fundamental principle in Islamic civilisation, with the ulama offering spiritual guidance and the umarak implementing policies, administration and governance to advance the nation.

Mohd Na'im said that in national administration, ulama shoulder the responsibility of guiding society with sound knowledge, being a voice of truth delivered with courtesy, and advising the umarak with wisdom rather than harshness.

“The role of ulama and academics goes beyond teaching; they are ‘Ashabul Fadhilah’ — guides for society, stabilisers in times of confusion and lights in moments of darkness,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the carnival is a continuation of the first edition held in Pahang, which is among the ministry’s efforts to convey the message of dakwah, promote Islamic values, bring communities closer to the services of religious agencies and introduce the policies and aspirations of Malaysia MADANI and the Al-Falah Transformation Plan.

He said that throughout the three-day carnival, which began yesterday, various programmes had been arranged, with religious agencies going down to the ground to provide direct services to local communities. The event is expected to attract 10,000 visitors.

Mohd Na’im said the carnival will continue across all states, with this edition also featuring the presentation of the Tokoh Murabbi Mithali 2025 awards to imams, takmir teachers, and KAFA teachers.

Tokoh Imam Mithali award recipient Agus Lukman Sulam, 57, described the honour as recognition of both his dedicated service and the congregation of Masjid Jamek Al-Mansur in Teluk Intan.

-- BERNAMA