NST: Muslim scholars urged to express views, right the wrongs to guide ummah in right path
SHAH ALAM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Muslim scholars in the country should be vocal in providing advice on religious matters, including those concerning government policies.
Citing the controversy surrounding the use of the word "Allah", Anwar said while people had differing views, the government would always follow the advice of mufti and adhere to decision of the Malay rulers.
"I also have my personal opinion on it.
"However, we must follow the decision of our mufti and rulers.
"(The issue) can be debated (by scholars) but (better to do it) behind closed doors, so as not to confuse the people," he said in his speech at the Turath Islami Selangor festival here today.
Anwar said scholars should be sincere when expressing their views.
"InsyaAllah, we will listen. There are some (views) that we agree with, but sometimes we have our own restrictions.
"Also, ummah's understanding on (religious issues) may differ."
Anwar, however, assured the participants that the government was on the right track in uplifting the dignity of the ummah in line with the country's Madani approach.
In instilling good values, including ihsan (benevolence), Anwar said the government, through the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) and the Education Ministry, would be responsible for distributing "the Forty Hadith of Imam Nawawi" among school students.
He also stressed the importance of spreading knowledge with love and right methods to ensure that the teachings by the Muslim scholar are well understood.
