ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Unity Government has never forced non-Muslims to memorise or study Imam Nawawi’s 40 Hadis, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the “Imam Al-Nawawi’s 40 Hadis” appreciation module is intended only for Muslim teachers and students and the move is to strengthen their understanding of Islam.
“The initiative is for Muslims, especially young people because it is important for them to master and understand Islam, so non-Muslims should not misunderstand.
“Deepening religious knowledge is based on the Quran, Hadis and the interpretation by authoritative scholars,” he said after a meeting with the Unity Government machinery, Friday.
Last Aug 19, the Ministry of Education launched the “Imam Al-Nawawi’s 40 Hadis” appreciation module aimed at fostering hadis appreciation starting at the school level.
For a start, the module will first be introduced in National Religious Secondary Schools (SMKA) and Government-Aided Religious Schools (SABK), before it is implemented in schools under the Ministry of Education (MOE) next year.
The MOE, in a statement said that the module is aimed at fostering values of courtesy, and love and strengthening religious understanding among Muslim teachers and students.
The implementation of the pilot programme will involve 61 SMKA and 228 SABK nationwide.
Anwar also said the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) alliance is the best combination to steer Malaysia away from religious and racial bigotry.
This was because the Opposition is employing extreme methods such as racial and religious issues to gain support.
The Prime Minister was commenting on the current situation in Malaysia following results of six state election that showed the country is divided along ethnic lines.
Anwar added that with PH’s progressive outlook and BN with its administrative experience, this combination, which forms the unity government, was the best vehicle to save Malaysia at present.
He said that his administration was committed to ensuring that the rights of the Malays and Bumiputera as the majority in this country remain guaranteed.
“No one can dispute this and they also accept the presence of Malays and Bumiputera as the majority here.
“That is why language, religion and the special position of the Malays in the unity government is clear,” he said.
Anwar, who is the Tapah MP, called on all Malaysians to uphold the Federal Constitution and be considerate towards one another.
