BY; Elizabeth Wong
STATEMENT BY YAB.
DATO’ MENTERI BESAR SELANGOR
This
morning the 351 Bibles that contained the word ‘Allah’ that were seized earlier
this year have been returned to the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) on
the occasion of a courtesy call on His Royal Highness Sultan of Selangor by The
Most Revd Archbishop Datuk Bolly Lapok, who is the Chairman of ACS and Acting
President of the Council of Churches of Malaysia at the Istana Alam Shah,
Klang. Archbishop Datuk Bolly Lapok was accompanied by the Secretary Generals
respectively of the Association of Churches in Sarawak, Elder Ambrose Linang
and of the Council of Churches of Malaysia, Rev. Dr. Herman Shastri.
The
event were witnessed by State Secretary, Dato’ Mohammed Khusrin Bin Haji
Munawi; Dato’ Seri Utama Di Raja Mufti Selangor, Dato’ Setia Mohd Tamyes Abd
Wahid; Chairman of Majlis Agama Islam Selangor (MAIS), Dato’ Setia Haji
Mohammad Adzib Mohd Isa; Director of Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS), Ahmad
Zaharin Mohd Saad and myself.
Firstly,
I want to register the highest appreciation and gratitude to His Royal Highness
Sultan of Selangor for his foresight and initiative in seeking the best way to
resolve this long standing problem.
All
parties concerned in particular the MAIS and the ACS have therefore reached an
amicable resolution of the Bible issue through sincere efforts and conviction
to respect religious sensitivities of all communities.
I
would also like to record my appreciation to the Chairman of MAIS, Dato’ Setia
Haji Mohammad Adzib Mohd Isa and The Most Revd Archbishop Datuk Bolly Lapok for
doing their best to see this matter resolved in the best way possible.
As
I have said on many occasions since assuming the position of Dato’ Menteri
Besar, this administration will pursue all means possible to enhance and foster
communal and religious understanding in Selangor. Among other priorities in
this regard, I had pledged to have the Bibles returned to the Christians
because they belong to them. Now, thanks to the wisdom and foresight of His
Royal Highness Sultan of Selangor, this has become a reality.
On
this auspicious occasion, it bears repeating the Qur’anic injunction:
“And
thus we have made you a just community that you will be witnesses over the
people and the Messenger will be a witness over you.” (al-Baqara : 143)
Interpreting
the above-quoted verse, world renowned Islamic jurist Sheikh Dr. Yusuf al
Qardhawi says:
“The
Muslim umma is a nation of justice and moderation; it witnesses every deviation
from the straight path in this life and in the hereafter.”
It
should, therefore, be stressed that what we witnessed in this morning’s handing
over event is the Qur’anic imperatives on justice and moderation being applied
in reality.
As
I have said before, all parties must respect the status of Islam as the State
religion. However, as freedom of religion is enshrined in the Constitution,
extremist sentiments, race baiting and religious fanaticism will not be part of
the administration of the State of Selangor.
Islam
is rahmatan Lil alamin, a blessing for all humanity, and my administration will
continue to propagate Islamic teachings and showcase the State of Selangor as
exemplary in advocating moderation and justice.
Mohamed
Azmin Ali
Dato’ Menteri Besar Selango
Dato’ Menteri Besar Selango
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