Keningau: Muslims in Keningau have no objection to the use of the word "Allah" to denote God by their Christian brethren and never saw the matter as an issue, said Assistant State Rural Development Minister, Datuk Sairin Hj Karno.Officiating at the closing ceremony of the 1Malaysia Health Awareness Programme at the Arked Hall Keningau, Saturday, he said people here know that in Islam there is such teaching which commands its followers to respect one another, including those from different religions and backgrounds.
"In the Quran, there is a verse which says 'You with your religion, us with our religion, let us respect one another," and Muslims here has always been holding onto this principle. We even share the same great grandparents, Adam and Eve, thus there is no use bickering over matters that, in the first place, has never been an issue," he said.
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Sairin, who is also Liawan Assemblyman, said people in Sabah know very well to chose the right thing by living side by side in unity and visiting each other during different religious festivities.
Meanwhile, he urged the people, especially the local leaders like JKKK Chairman and Village Heads in the district to take as priority their physical health in order to execute better governance over their respectable areas.
He said this can be achieve through regular workout and by organising outdoor activities such as gotong royong as well as attending health awareness programmes as the one held in the event.
"It is very important for the people to have healthy lifestyle, and towards that end, local leaders must lead by example because they are the head of the community and constantly being observed by their people," he said.
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Also present at the event were Liawan People Development Leader, Rosdi Padiman, District Chief, Amir Datuk Arif, PBS Keningau Chief Liaison Officer, Harry Otigil and other local leaders.
