KUALA LUMPUR: The survival of the Muslim community must be built on resilience rather than fear tactics that can create prejudice and discomfort among non-Muslims, says Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.
In his royal address at the 72nd Meeting of the Malaysian National Council of Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) today, Sultan Nazrin said using fear to control the community was similar to the old Malay community's practice of telling ghost stories to frighten children.
The Perak ruler, who is also MKI chairman, said such ghost stories only made children fearful.
"Excessive fear-mongering is highly detrimental, as it erodes confidence and hinders the community's ability to compete on a global stage, especially outside their group.
"The greatness of Islam should be highlighted through work ethics, social activities, economic achievements, and political integrity.
"The Muslim community must resolutely reject any behaviour that could tarnish the reputation of the community and the sanctity of Islam by refraining from entrusting responsibilities to individuals with a corrupt or hypocritical image, those of weak morals, or those tainted by corruption and abuse of power," he said.
Sultan Nazrin added the image of Islam and the global perception of it are influenced by the achievements and status of the Muslim community.
"Islam will garner greater respect and continued reverence if the majority of its followers demonstrate excellence across various fields. Islam should not be allowed to appear as a faded colour or a hollow name devoid of meaningful substance.
"The Muslim community has a responsibility to portray Islam in a vibrant light and to fill it with compelling content. The success of promoting Islam largely depends on the success of its followers.
"Therefore, efforts and programmes aimed at human development should be prioritised. To elevate the stature of Islam and the community, it is crucial to focus on enriching the younger generation with knowledge through coordinated and strategic initiatives, harmonised and integrated efforts."
Sultan Nazrin said Islam's past grandeur has left a remarkable legacy and ideals but no community could progress by relying solely on its legacy and ideals.
"To transform the quality of the Muslim community towards a more progressive future, we must foster a narrative rooted in realism and forward-thinking."
Sultan Nazrin also said the MKI must serve as a pivotal advisory body, innovating new strategies and methods to broaden the mindset of the Muslim community.
"By breaking free from narrow perspectives and outdated thinking, MKI should lead a cultural and intellectual transformation, fostering a dynamic and progressive community that amplifies the essence of Islam."
Sultan Nazrin said MKI also strives to unify Islamic affairs in line with the concept of "unity in diversity".
"The practice of 'syura,' or consultation, as advocated by Islam, empowers leaders to make informed decisions through collective wisdom. The practice of syura fosters intellectual growth, the exchange of ideas, and respectful, professional dialogue.
"It promotes understanding and helps resolve differences through rational discussion and mutual respect.
"As members of MKI, it is crucial that we embrace and champion the spirit of syura, focusing on commonalities while avoiding the amplification of differences.
"We must build bridges to reconcile divergent views and interpretations, preventing confrontations that could fracture unity within the Muslim community."