SHAH ALAM: Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah reiterated his call for Muslims to prioritise unity in facing various challenges, in conjunction with the Maal Hijrah 1448H celebration.
The ruler said the Hijrah event, which marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar, was not merely a physical migration from one place to another, but symbolised positive change and the unification of the ummah.
"I still remember the advice of my father, the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, who often reminded us not to wash our dirty linen in public," he said in a Maal Hijrah 1448H message posted on the Selangor Royal Office Facebook page on Thursday (June 16).
"This means that if there are any issues, differences of opinion or matters that need to be corrected, they should be voiced with wisdom and decorum. If advice or criticism needs to be given, it should be done in a good and courteous manner," he said.
The Sultan said issues should be resolved through private discussions, guided mutual respect and a shared commitment to finding the best solutions.
Matters that could be settled amicably should not be brought into the public domain to the extent of triggering open disputes that would only expose the weaknesses of the ummah and the nation, he added.
"When we quarrel openly, others will see those weaknesses, and it is not impossible that some may take advantage of the divisions that arise. If such a situation is allowed to persist, no one will truly emerge as the winner," he said.
The ruler also called on Muslims to embrace the spirit of Hijrah by strengthening unity, fostering tolerance and placing the interests of religion, race and the nation above personal or group interests.
He expressed hope that the new Islamic year would bring blessings, peace and prosperity to all and mark a renewed effort to strengthen unity and harmony among Muslims and society at large. – Bernama
