Social media posts can destroy harmony, warns Maal Hijrah award recipient

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong presenting the International Tokoh Maal Hijrah 2019 award to Shaykh Abdallah Shaykh Al-Mahfoudh. With them is Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad (right) and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa. (Bernama pic)

PUTRAJAYA: The International Tokoh Maal Hijrah 2019 award recipient Shaykh Abdallah Shaykh Al-Mahfoudh called on Muslims not to post anything on social media that could destroy peace and harmony among Muslims.

Shaykh Abdallah, 84, who is also president of the United Arab Emirates Peace Empowerment Forum, also advised Muslims to preserve the peace on the basis of Rahmah (mercy) policy in the face of adverse challenges in today’s Islamic world, which is riled by slander on social media.

“The efforts taken by the Malaysian government today through the policy of rahmatan lil alamin (mercy to all creations) and maqasid syariah (objectives of Islamic law) are timely and in place.

“I urge that this effort be welcomed by everyone in the country, regardless of age and race,” he told reporters through an Arabic-Malay translator after the national-level Maal Hijrah celebration at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here today.

Shaykh Abdallah added that he would cooperate with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa in the near future to promote peace and security to the Muslim world as a whole.

“Hopefully, this effort will contribute to the Islamic world,” he added.

With the award, Shaykh Abdallah also received cash of RM100,000 from the Malaysian government, a medal and a certificate of appreciation. He also received RM10,000 cash from the Ubaidi Foundation.

The award was presented by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. - FMT