Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. -filepic
KOTA KINABALU: The annual informal senior officials' meeting among religious ministers of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore (Mabims) should be a platform to draw up strategies to boost Muslims' economic status, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The Sabah Chief Minister said such initiatives were even more vital now as the world begins to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Economic development plays a huge role in a nation’s progress and future. I hope this meeting, held for the 46th time, can be a place for us to find initiatives that can increase the economic status of Muslims among Mabims member countries," he said during the meeting at the Sabah International Convention Center here on Monday (Sept 26).
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The gathering was also attended by Sabah Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.
Hajiji said the meeting was a forum to discuss issues, including economic problems, faced by Muslims in the region.
He said the meeting helped foster ties among member nations as they work towards elevating the living standard of Muslims.
"I truly hope this meeting can bring Malaysia and the other members closer together and at the same time, strengthen the unity among Muslims and encourage them to be a peace-loving, harmonious and progressive community," he said.
Hajiji also hoped that these efforts would further strengthen the faith of all Muslims in the participating countries.
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He encouraged the delegates to take some time to explore the city, its nature and the cultures of Sabah.
"Sabah has over 33 main ethnic groups speaking more than 50 languages and dialects, living harmoniously together regardless of race and religion," he said, adding that this made Sabah unique.
He also said the state's multiethnic, multicultural and multifaith harmony helped make it attractive to visitors.
