Sarawak Latest News

Muslims are urged to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to upgrade themselves while helping to revive the glorious era of Islam.

Chief Minister, Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud said Islamic teachings could produce strong and high quality Muslims in future.

“Emphasis on knowledge as the cornerstone of progress and strength, as taught in the Al-Quran, is as relevant and essential in present times as in a past civilisation that the world looked up to for advances and leadership in many fields” added Taib.

Salahuddin (right), accompanied by (from left) Daud, Awang Tengah and others, leading the procession in Bintulu.

He stated this at a mass gathering held at the Civic Centre here yesterday morning in conjunction with the state-level Maulidur Rasul (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday) celebration here.

His text of speech was read by Second Resource Planning and Management Minister and Public Utilities Minister, Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

As such, Taib said they should be smart and work diligently to grab every opportunity made
available.

“Only those who can identify their weaknesses and redress them in the efforts to revive the glorious days of Islam will be able to prove that they are the best and the chosen
ones.”

Taib pointed out that this called for revival of the basic, as taught in the Al-Quran, to pursue knowledge and excellence which were the past foundations of success, as spelt out in the teaching of Islam which called for determination and commitment to progress.
He added that Prophet Muhammad’s exemplary leadership and teachings emcompassed all the values of Islam which united people and factions while emphasising unity, justice and progress based on knowledge in all fields.

Main asset

“Consolidation and unity are still the main asset. In the context of Malaysia, various agenda and programmes have been drafted to overcome the various problems affecting the ummah and the multi-religious society,” remarked Taib.

Earlier, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs), Datuk Haji Daud Abdul Rahman exhorted the Muslims to cooperate among themselves and work closely with other non-Muslim communities for greater progress, unity and harmony.
He said the teachings of Islam should spur the Muslims to live exemplary lives and become role models for others since Islam was one of the main religions in the world.

Later, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin and wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Hajjah Norkiah, Tengah and wife, Datin Amar Dayang Mordiah binti Datuk Haji Awang Daud, Daud and other dignitaries led the procession around Bintulu Town which started and ended at the Civic Open Field. It covered a distance of 3.5 kilometres.

An estimated 10,000 p articipants from 113 contingents from various government departments and agencies, private sector, statutory bodies, corporate bodies, mosques, suraus, clubs, associations, learning institutions and hadrah groups took part in the procession.

Among those present were Assistant Environment Minister, Dr Abang Rauf Abang Zain, State Secretary Datuk Amar Wilson Baya, Sarawak Islamic Council, Datuk Haji Putit Martzen, State Director of JAIS, Datu Misnu, Jepak State Assemblyman, Datuk Haji Talip Zulpilip and Kemena State Assemblyman, Dr Stephen Rundi anak Utom.