Sultan Nazrin said the role of religion is very sacred. However, he noted that it is at times desecrated by those who lack wisdom and try to insert their values, prejudices and personal agendas into it to champion and sensationalise certain issues.
“On the other hand, when religion is used for purposes other than sowing the divine spirit, especially when it is selected to be sensationalised politically, religion is a highly explosive bomb with the potential to trigger chaos and catastrophe,” he said when opening the three-day ‘Muzakarah’ Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah here, today.
He said religion, when fully understood, is an instrument of unity and justice, besides being capable of establishing a good society that has soul, internal strength and frequently subjugates themselves to god.
“In the realities of history, the legitimacy of facts and rational thinking are sunk and swept away by the currents of emotions,” Sultan Nazrin said.
Sultan Nazrin said the religious status of a person, whether he is destined for heaven or hell is decided by god, so it is unwarranted and contradictory with the call of God if man himself chooses to pass judgments on the status of another man’s faith and piety.
“The duties and responsibilities of men, especially those involved in directly managing and handling the affairs of religion, is to urge others toward doing good and forbidding what is wrong.
“The nature of benevolence is important in the endeavour to help as many people as possible to see the light of truth,” he said.
Sultan Nazrin said Islamic scholars and leaders who were entrusted with managing the affairs of Islam must carry out their responsibilities with wisdom and justice, respecting the feelings of others and also understanding the realities of a time and place.
“Justice must be implemented and human dignity must be respected, while the king is responsible for fulfilling the role of an arbitrator in a fair and equitable manner and be willing to give space to listen and scrutinise,” he said.
Sultan Nazrin said impartiality required rulers to offer the “shade of their umbrellas” equally to all, irrespective of their religious affiliations.
“The rulers had accepted the diversity of religious beliefs, and there was no record showing they had forced the followers of other religions to embrace Islam,” he added.
– BERNAMA