Sultan Mizan calls on all groups to respect position of Islam

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, called on all quarters Wednesday to continue respecting Islam as the country's official religion in order to preserve harmony among the people.

The Sultan said the action of some irresponsible groups who tried to create issues out of this had caused uneasiness among Muslims in the country.

"History had proven that a government administration based on the teachings of Islam has never denied justice for the other communities or groups although they were from different races and religions.

"For example, Terengganu was the first state to accept Islam, based on the discovery of the Batu Bersurat (Inscribed Stone) in Kuala Berang.

"Since then, Islam has been the religion of the majority of the people in Terengganu but at the same time, the others are free to practise their own religion for as long as they do not jeopardise peace in the state."

Sultan Mizan said this at an audience with Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said, state executive councillors and members of royalty at Istana Maziah, here.

Also present were the Sultanah of Terengganu Sultanah Nur Zahirah and the Yang Di-Pertuan Muda Terengganu Tengku Muhammad Ismail.

Sultan Mizan, who has just ended his term as the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, said unity among Muslims could help protect Islam's sanctity and act as a strong fortress against attempts to belittle the religion. - Bernama