Unity and harmony above all else

The Star

a day ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Hari Raya Aidiladha greetings from all corners of the world were received by Malaysia as Muslims prepare to mark the event today.
Through the Istana Negara Facebook page, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, extended their Aidiladha greetings to all Muslims in the country.
'Their Majesties also hope that the sacrificial ritual (korban) will be carried out well, and will be one that is blessed and acceptable to Allah SWT.
'May this spirit of sacrifice continue to unite the people harmoniously, bringing forth love and universal values of humanity,' said the royal couple yesterday.
Their Majesties also said they are praying for the safety of all haj pilgrims so that they may always be well and blessed with a most enriching experience.
In a series of Facebook posts this week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed that greetings were also received from Iran, Turkiye and Pakistan.
In a phone call with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday, Anwar said it is his prayer that haj pilgrims from both nations would be granted a blessed haj and contribute to the development of the ummah upon returning to their respective countries.
He also expressed gratitude to Masoud for facilitating the repatriation of two Malaysian citizens previously detained in Iran, as well as the cordial treatment according to Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir during their recent visit to Teheran as part of joint efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
'In the same discussion, Malaysia welcomes the decision to resume Mahan Air flights from Teheran to Kuala Lumpur, which will undoubtedly open more opportunities for economic ties and people-to-people connections,' he said.
In a separate post, Anwar said he received a phone call from Turkyish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday, during which they discussed the suffering of the Palestinian people, among others.
'We agreed that while the world chooses to remain silent and selective about the plight of Gaza's people, we cannot stand idly by.
'Malaysia fully supports President Erdogan's stance to utilise all available platforms and capabilities to defend the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people,' he said.
Anwar said they also discussed Erdogan's recent official visit to Malaysia, which he described as the most successful in the history of Turkiye-Malaysia ties.
'I view the visit as a manifestation of the alignment of values and the clear direction both nations share in upholding justice, sovereignty and the development of the global ummah,' the Prime Minister said, adding that he also received Aidiladha greetings from Erdogan.
Yesterday, Anwar also took a call from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is himself performing the haj.
'I conveyed the wish for both Pakistan and India to achieve meaningful and lasting peace, in order to assure regional stability. And I hope that PM Shehbaz's official visit to Malaysia can be rescheduled as soon as his domestic situation allows it,' said Anwar on Facebook.
In Mecca, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the haj is a powerful platform for unity and a symbol of universal solidarity that can restore the strength of the Muslim ummah if it is embraced with sincerity and deep understanding.
He said as Muslims around the world face increasing division due to narrow-minded ideologies and a fading sense of brotherhood, the spirit of haj must be embraced to rekindle the values of love, mutual respect and fraternity among the faithful, he said in a Bernama report on Thursday.
'If we reflect with open hearts, we will see that haj is a commanding symbol of unity for Muslims worldwide. Look at the millions of people from different races, skin colours, cultures and languages gathering in one place, facing one qiblah, calling out one name: Allah SWT.
'There are no titles, no castes, no worldly pride. All that remains are two pieces of white cloth and hearts humbled before the Creator. Here, Islam abolishes discrimination and upholds true justice, that a person's worth lies not in appearance or wealth but in piety and righteous deeds,' he said.
Mohd Na'im also reminded pilgrims to safeguard their safety and belongings to avoid anything that could jeopardise their haj experience.
'Pilgrims are also reminded to practise tolerance and give mutual assistance, and to avoid any kind of dispute that may undermine the spiritual essence of haj,' he said.
Earlier, Mohd Na'im spent time visiting the accommodation tents and mingling with Muassasah pilgrims here.
Malaysia received a haj quota of 31,600 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia for this haj season.
In Kuala Lumpur, National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the Aidiladha celebration should serve as a moment of heartfelt reflection on the meaning of sacrifice in the context of humanity and unity.
He said the celebration is not just about the ritual of sacrifice, but also a symbol of sincerity and solidarity.
'These values are vital in building a peaceful and harmonious nation,' he said in a Facebook post yesterday.
Yesterday, Anwar joined in the takbir raya at Surau Al-Ikhwan, Jalan Pinggiran Putra at Putrajaya, where Imam Mustafa Kamal Abdullah led the ceremony attended by more than 500 worshippers after Friday prayers.
Accompanied by Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Anwar arrived at the mosque at 1pm after having lunch at Restoran Pak Zain Patin in Dengkil.