Role for the regional religion ministers: CM
Published on: Thursday, September 29, 2022
Juhar (centre) and Hajiji (left) at the dinner reception.
Kota Kinabalu: The Senior Officers Meeting (SOM) for the 46th Non-Official Gathering of Ministers-in-Charge of Religion from Brunei Darussalam, the Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Republic of Singapore (Mabims) should be used as a place to formulate initiatives that have an impact on improving the economic status of Muslims in Mabims member countries.Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said it is important especially after the Covid-19 pandemic that hit the whole world which also affected the world economy.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Economic development plays an important role in driving the growth of a country. I hope this meeting will be a place to discuss and find initiatives to improve the economic status of Muslims in Mabims member countries.
“This is because the SOM Meeting is a very important forum to discuss issues and challenges of Muslims among Mabims member countries, including economic aspects,” he said during a dinner reception in conjunction with the 46th Mabims Senior Officers Meeting at the Sabah International Convention Centre, here, Monday.
The ceremony was also attended by the Sabah Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.
Hajiji said the meeting is also important to strengthen the bilateral relations already established between Malaysia and other Mabims member countries, especially towards the development of Muslims in the archipelago region.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It is my great hope that this meeting will not only strengthen the existing relationship between Malaysia and Mabims member countries, but will be able to further strengthen unity and make Muslims in Mabims member countries progressive people who love peace and harmony.
“I hope that the level of cooperation in developing Muslims in Mabims member countries continues to be improved, especially in the aspects of religious resilience and the quality of religious life as well as socio-economic well-being,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
While welcoming the Heads of SOM and their delegation, Hajiji hoped that the bond of brotherhood on the basis of Islam would continue to be closely intertwined and intact.
He also hoped that the delegation of this meeting would take the opportunity to visit interesting places and the beauty of the sea and islands in this state.
“Sabah has a population consisting of 33 indigenous groups who communicate in more than 50 languages and 80 different ethnic dialects and different religions.
“This difference makes Sabah a unique and special State compared to other states in Malaysia. Ethnic harmony living in an atmosphere of peace and mutual respect makes Sabah often the top choice of tourist destination from within and outside the State,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad sadi the meeting is meaningful and proves the commitment as a cognate country in raising Islamic teachings.
He thanked the Sabah Government for the various assistance and support in making the meeting a success.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
