Stay united and avoid hostility, Mahathir tells Muslims

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is also Perkim president, says Muslims should not go to the extent of hating each other. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Muslims in the country must remain united to avoid disputes and hostility, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad urged today.

He said merely because of slight differences, Muslims practising the same religion and Islamic beliefs should not go to the extent of hating each other.

“A consensus happens when something gets 100% agreement from all parties, but that is something impossible.

“Hence the other way is to take a majority decision.

“What is decided by the majority must be accepted with an open heart by the minority without any hue and cry,” he said in his speech at the 57th National Malaysian Islamic Welfare Association (Perkim) general annual meeting on Jalan Pahang here.

In that way, the Muslim community could move simultaneously as one with mutual respect and love, as enshrined in the Quran, he said.

Mahathir said it could enable organisations and countries led by Muslims to run smoothly and the government would be able to bring prosperity to the people.

Mahathir, who is also Perkim president, hoped the organisation would continue to carry out its responsibilities to explain the true teachings of Islam to the people, including non-Muslims.

He said the noble effort, if maintained, is likely to restore the excellence of the Islamic civilisation as before.

The Perkim annual general meeting was attended by 250 people, including Perkim national council members, delegates and observers nationwide.

Also present were Perkim secretary-general Mohd Yusof Noor, Perkim honorary treasurer Muhammad Rais Abdul Karim and Perkim vice-president Shahidan Kassim. -FMT