Zul-Leow
PETALING JAYA: A delegation from the Catholic Church has called on former religious affairs minister Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamed al-Bakri at his office here in conjunction with Harmony Week among Religions Worldwide from Feb 1 to 7.
The discussion included strengthening religious harmony in Malaysia, Dr Zulkifli said in a Facebook post on Thursday (Feb 1) titled "The future of unity in Malaysia".
The delegation included Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Rev Julian Leow, whom Dr Zulkifli described as his friend.
"Malaysia is an example of an Islamic country of various races and religions which had succeeded in preserving its harmony despite occasional issues and polemics," Dr Zulkifli wrote.
"(Egyptian scholar) Prof Dr Ahmed al-Tayeb, the Muslim Council of Elders chairman and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, has always emphasised the need for Muslims to appreciate religious and ethnic diversity.
"Rev Leow expressed his happiness with the meeting and hoped various follow-up programmes can be held for the benefit of all Malaysians," he added.
Dr Zulkifli said Rev Leow also emphasised the need for religious elders to encourage adherents of their respective faiths to increase cooperation with others in upholding shared universal values.
Also present were Rev Dr Clarence Devadass, Rev George Harrison, Rev Christopher Soosaipillai, Rev Xavier Andrew, Rev Gregory Chan and other church elders from the Klang Valley as well as Nilai and Seremban.
The guests received symbolic gifts of honey, which Dr Zulkifli said was significant to both Muslims and Christians.
