KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 2 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said greater emphasis must be placed on strengthening religious tolerance, building moral values and ensuring the safety of places of worship to preserve harmony in Malaysia’s multiracial society.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the need is increasingly significant, especially in urban areas that house various places of worship, requiring mutual respect and high standards of conduct among the people.
Citing Brickfields here as an example, he said the area is home to more than 17 places of worship of different religions, including churches and temples.
“We must learn to respect other religions. This is how Malaysia becomes a harmonious, tolerant and multiracial country,” he said when officiating the new additional building (Phase 1) of the Madrasathul Gouthiyyah surau in Brickfields here today.
Ahmad Zahid also said the development of places of worship should strike a balance between physical infrastructure and the strengthening of their social role as centres for community interaction and activities.
Meanwhile, he said Muslims must set the best example through good character and conduct in managing differences.
“Whether among Muslims themselves or with followers of other religions, we must uphold the principle of religious tolerance,” he said.
Meanwhile, the surau’s new additional building, which was completed last month, is an expansion project aimed at addressing the increasing number of congregants and improving safety, especially during Friday prayers.
The surau, which began as a madrasah in 1987 and was upgraded to a Friday prayer surau in 2012, is now facing capacity constraints as the existing building can only accommodate about 800 worshippers, forcing prayers to be conducted outside the premises and on nearby roads.
At present, the temporary closure of the main road for about 30 minutes every Friday is required to ensure the safety of congregants.
-- BERNAMA
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