Violence has no religion, says Mujahid in KL Peace Declaration

Mujahid (front row, second from left) joining participants and religious leaders of different faiths at the Solidarity for Peace march in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will carry its message of peace to the international community in all future overseas events following the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration of Peace 2019.

Before reading out the five-point declaration, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said that the world must be shielded against the culture of hate that can lead to violent acts.

"Violent acts should not be associated with any religion or ethnicity because violence has no religion," said the Minister in charge of religious affairs.

He noted that the government will bring the nation's message of peace to the world whenever it represents Malaysia overseas.

The declaration stated that Malaysians condemn any act of discrimination, violence and killing in the name of religion or ethnicity.

"Total rejection of any act or culture based on hatred in the name of religion or ethnicity," he said when reading out the declaration.

He added that Malaysia supports all efforts to foster peace and promote harmony among people of all ethnicities and religions.

"We will defend the sovereignty of our country from being destroyed by agents of racial and religious hatred," he said.

He added that Malaysia stood united with the international community in developing an environment of peace and prosperity based on the recognition of diverse ethnicity and religion.

He later signed the declaration of peace.

Earlier, National Unity and Social Well-being Minister P. Waytha Moorthy released a cluster of white balloons to signify solidarity and peace before the declaration was read out by Dr Mujahid.

The Solidarity for Peace March on Saturday (March 23) started vibrantly with Malaysians of all races and religions who had gathered here to promote peace and harmony.

The peace march is meant to show solidarity for the victims of the March 15 Christchurch terror attacks on two mosques that left 50 people dead and scores of others injured.